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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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