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drilling/cutting holes in plexi?
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Ken Layton:
This is what I use for button holes and joystick holes: a DULL hole saw. Drill halfway thru with it then flip over and finish from the other side. Quick, easy, and without chipping/cracking.
bvicarious:
You could take measurements and have an engraving shop cut the holes with a laser cutter. You'll never get a smoother or more accurate cut.  :)
leapinlew:

--- Quote from: shardian on August 18, 2006, 03:58:58 pm ---Well jeez, if you want to go thru 10 times as much effort as you need to, and thoroughly enjoy overkilling things, then go right ahead.

--- End quote ---

I don't believe it to be overkill. I've had more luck drilling through plexi using a smaller bit than a 1 1/8" bit, and for me it was easier to align the CP to the Plexi. On my showcase cabinet I detailed how I cut my plexi - you can see it here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55021.0

But here is a quick run down -

First thing I did was clamped the CP to the plexi


Then I flipped the plexi over and drilled out a 5/8th hole. my flush trim bit was 1/2" and 5/8" bit would make a large enough hole for the flush trim bit to fit.


Drilling done! You can see the router ready to flush trim them up.


Flush trim router bit makes short work of the plexi.


I've heard of people going either direction and haven't reported any problems. You do what you think is best. I wouldn't go so far as pointing out this method as overkill or taking much more time than using a 1 1/8" drill bit. I can drill through plexi much faster with a 5/8ths than a 1 1/8th. YMMV




deadkenndys1105:
When I cut mine I just clamped it down and drilled it.  I had to be very careful tho.
amerish:
When I was ready to cut the holes for my plexi, I fiirst did my control panel case and top with all the holes cut out, I then placed the plexi on my control panel (keeping the protective paper on the plexi). I put a lit flashlight into the control panel and that caused the light to shine through the plexi so I knew exactly where the holes were. I used a plung router bit to put a hole into the center of each button then used a flush trim router bit to clean each hole. The results were perfect. No problems.
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