• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Hole saws and plastic

W

w00ty

Weaksauce
Joined
Jan 30, 2006
Messages
96
well i want to make a hole for a new fan im going to be installing on one of the sides of my X-Qpack and i was wondering how cutting the plastic window with a hole saw would work (since i dont have a dremel). its standard, cheapo plastic.
 
Depends on the thickness of the plastic. Really thin stuff will probably crack, but if you're looking at something at least 2mm in thickness, go reeeeeeeeeeealy slow... like, 200rpms tops... you should be ok. Clamp down your plexiglass first, tape it all, and go to town. Drilling the fan mount holes will probably be more difficult. Good luck.
 
As others have said, go slow. I cut for a couple of seconds then stop to let it cool. For thin plastic, support it with scrap lumber so you don't crack the plastic. And tape where you're going to cut so that you don't scratch or mar the surface.


w00ty said:
well i want to make a hole for a new fan im going to be installing on one of the sides of my X-Qpack and i was wondering how cutting the plastic window with a hole saw would work (since i dont have a dremel). its standard, cheapo plastic.
Click to expand...
 
I've actually "hand drilled" a piece of plastic using a hole saw... it was a great time... and a very long time...

Go slow, be steady and tape up, like the others have said.
 
mask it, clamp it, and don't melt it. :)

Oh, and start with very small drill bits for the pilot hole and work your way up to whatever bit the holesaw is mounted on, otherwise your hole might not be exactly where you want it---which sucks, trust me, lol.
 
^^^^ - All very good advice - kudos :cool:

Only thing I could add is this oldy but goody ...." let the tool do the work " - 'nnock
 
Hole saws will work on thin plastics, but run the drill in reverse, it will still cut a clean hole and not melt the plastic.
 
MajorDomo said:
Hole saws will work on thin plastics, but run the drill in reverse, it will still cut a clean hole and not melt the plastic.
Click to expand...


BINGO! The best way to cut plexi is to run the drill in reverse.

Tape the surface well and Place a peice of Soft wood lumber under it.

Apply light pressure when drilling and let the bit do the work
 
Yes, tape it up and run the drill in reverse, SLOWLY! Also make SURe your hand is steady, with one move of your wrist the plexi will crack to pieces. Also make SURe that the hole saw is cutting evenly, usually the hole saw will cut more to one side of the circle than the other, and the teeth will start to hit the edges of the un-cut half and crack it...if you kinda get what im saying.
 
Running the holesaw in reverse is OK, but not really necessary if you do it right = not too much pressure.
Just be sure to hold the saw square to the work. Which is what Dillusion was saying above if I'm not mistaken.

With above said, I have found a better method for plastic fan holes, but it involves an air compressor.
 
Yeah, tape it up, use support and go slow... You'll be fine with a little bit of patience.
 
sn3ak3rp1mp said:
Well, share man! Share!
Click to expand...
Sure ...... pneumatic die grinder, double-cut carbide rotary file (w/drill tip).

Drill in and follow your line. Cuts like a hot knife through butter ~ clicky
The above took about 45 seconds, then a couple more minutes to clean up the edge with
hand file & fine sandpaper.

And you don't have to limit yourself to circles ;)
 
i cut mine with a drill press, high speed VERY LIGHT pressure , not in reverse. worked perfect.
 
I just take a hammer and smash it it does give the do it yourself look and then you won't wonder if you are going to ruin your case.

HA HA HA Just kidding I got a dremel tool only costs about 20 bucks at wally world.
 
Susquehannock said:
And you don't have to limit yourself to circles ;)
Click to expand...

That's COOL!

Must try that one ... I've got an air compressor, I'll have to look into the price of the tool.
 
I've never had a problem with it. Just go slow...you will need to however sand the inside of the hole to smooth it out...
 
jackofalltrades said:
Harbour freight air die grinder cost about 9 bucks if I remember right.
Click to expand...
Yep, here* is one for $8. Notice the trigger paddle design. No safety catch to get in your way.
Just be careful when setting the tool down. Don't want it to roll over and activate the trigger.

Here* is the one I would recommend = $15. Two collet sizes - 1/8" and 1/4". Which will allow you
to use a wider choice of bits.

The 90 degree die grinders work too but I have found the straight one like above to give better control
for these types of jobs.

Also, keep in mind that die grinders require a lot of volume. So people with small tanks and/or
pumps will spend more time waiting for the tank to re-pressurize in between work sessions.
The very reason I use this compressor with big twin cylinder pump.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top