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| Where to get control panel holes cut? (UK) |
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| chucklepie:
Hello, I found a few places supplying and cutting holes in acrylic (94p per hole) but when I sent my drawings they aren't 'standard' holes so need special setting up on CNC and the cost went up to £120 ($220 or somewhere near that). Which is far too much for what I want to pay. I've searched for hss drill bits at 28mm and they are getting on for £30 each just for the one bit. Where did anyone else go, surely there must be a lot of people here getting acrylic/perspex cut? :) Perhaps a thread on people selling stuff related to arcade cabinet building could be kept somewhere? Thanks. |
| brained:
I just used a standard 1 1/8" bi-metal hole saw. I've got it for around $10. To drill the holes just do it on slow speed and sandwich the plexi with some scrap wood. |
| Drnick:
I did much the same as above but used my Forstener bit. Do you have a router? If so I am confident that you can do this yourself with no issues. |
| chucklepie:
That's the route I'm going to take. I have access to a drill press so can use that for the button holes (28mm/ about 1 1/8) and for the trackball I was going to use a jigsaw with a laminate bit. Questions I have are: 1. Should I use acrylic or polycarbonate (I think that's called Lexan in America) and should I get 2mm (1/16th) or 3mm (3/32)? 2. I think I read you should use hole saw for acrylic but can get away with a spade bit (I have one at the right size already) with polycarbonate? or will a wood spade bit work with either/none? 3. I'm reading alternate sites saying drill backwards (anti-clockwise), drill normally, drill fast, drill slow. What's the best? Thanks. |
| yotsuya:
--- Quote from: chucklepie on April 24, 2013, 01:40:29 pm ---3. I'm reading alternate sites saying drill backwards (anti-clockwise), drill normally, drill fast, drill slow. What's the best? --- End quote --- Whatever works! :cheers: I drill normally, medium speed, using the sandwich method. Seems to work best. But, like you, I have seen all those recommendations. |
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