how to drill through plastic

Want to just shoot the breeze? Forum 42 is the place!

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
JimmyDean
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:07 am
Location: Ohio

how to drill through plastic

Post by JimmyDean »

Hello everyone! I was wondering what the best method was to drill through ABS plastic without cracking it, as I am building my supergun and don't want to crack my case. Thanks! :mrgreen:
mods completed:

NES overclock
Sega Genesis model 1 jap/eng switch
Metallica Man X
Portablizer Extraordinaire
Posts: 1439
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 1:14 pm
Location: A very anti-metal place...WI...

Re: how to drill through plastic

Post by Metallica Man X »

I would assume simply taking it slow is the best bet. But if you're drilling a very large hole in a smaller space, I'd start with a very small bit, and slowly work up from there.
Image
The answer to 1984 is 1776!
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato
samjc3
Posts: 1086
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:05 pm
Steam ID: samjc3
Location: burning and pillaging!!

Re: how to drill through plastic

Post by samjc3 »

drill a guide hole (or use an awl to get an indent) and then take it slow, at high rpm. the goal is to take off a ton of tiny pieces.
AfroLH wrote:
HotDog-Cart wrote: Also, the codename stuff adds a little bit of sexyness, in my eyes.
Yeah well Alcohol adds a little bit of sexyness in my eyes, but I dont drink it all the time. :wink:
SpongeBuell wrote:As proof, I offer this picture of a monkey on my head.
cennar
Senior Member
Posts: 2939
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2004 7:57 am
Location: yesterdays brothel, and todays vaccume store
Contact:

Re: how to drill through plastic

Post by cennar »

wow, you don't even need a pilot hole, most of the time even cheap ABS is full of led any way and just melts under the heat of the drill. so go slow or put the effort into a pilot first. my new best friend for many materials is the scrawl saw. dreamels tend to get messy when your burning lots of holes. get a few different sized cutting wheels for say dropping D-pads flush. and PRACTICE!!! make loads of things you aren't concerned with. well always do your best. but do some exploring, it saves these forums from getting heavy on single answer responses.

Also if you do like the dreamel say hello to hundred and thousand grit sand paper, it's always nice to have a smooth finish.
Image
hailrazer
Portablizer Extraordinaire
Posts: 2764
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:57 pm
Location: Georgia Sweet Georgia

Re: how to drill through plastic

Post by hailrazer »

The absolute BEST bits for drilling holes in plastic

Image

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... umber=1903" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I have every drill bit known to man and have used them all on plastic and those Forstner Bits cut out PERFECT holes in the plastic every time. No accidental grabbing, no accidental slipping, no melting. just perfect holes.
My Portable Systems:
Image
-----Genimini---------Darth64---------Dreamtrooper--------Ncube---------Kamikazi64---N64Boy Advance
samjc3
Posts: 1086
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:05 pm
Steam ID: samjc3
Location: burning and pillaging!!

Re: how to drill through plastic

Post by samjc3 »

oh man, those look sweeet! :mrgreen: i will buy some someday
AfroLH wrote:
HotDog-Cart wrote: Also, the codename stuff adds a little bit of sexyness, in my eyes.
Yeah well Alcohol adds a little bit of sexyness in my eyes, but I dont drink it all the time. :wink:
SpongeBuell wrote:As proof, I offer this picture of a monkey on my head.
Post Reply