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cutting lexan for control panel top/trackball mount
ahofle:
I am to the step in building my cabinet where I am cutting lexan for my control panel top. I didn't have much luck at all using the lexan cutter tool and then bending and snapping the lexan, and I spent about 15 minutes repeatedly scoring the damn thing with that blade, and it would still not break consistenly along the line.
Anyway, I finally got a decent cutout and I am to the point where I need to cut out a fairly large circular hole for my trackball to be mounted. Does anyone have any suggestions for going about this? I pray to god these suggestions do not involve that useless lexan cutting tool, lest I end up using it to slit my wrists. :) Will a dremel work? I assume a jigsaw is much too slow and will crack the plastic.
Also, the metal trackball mount plate sticks up about 1/16" to 1/8" from the surface of the wood. Will the lexan be ok to cover that or will it look weird being uneven?
Thanks,
Andy
TheTick:
You can get a hole saw for your drill from Home Depot (not a spade bit). Attach a piece of scrap wood under the plexi. And then drill thru the plexi (actually it will mostly melt thru it).
Worked on my old control panel, I think I used a 2 1/2" for my trackball hack. They sell a variety of sizes, but you'll also need a mandrel to attach it to your drill.
Otherwise use your dremel and a cutoff disc. I would still use some scrap wood underneath. The circle would be as perfect, would need some sanding, and if the dremel skips across the plexi... you're gonna be pissed.
JesterDEV:
What I did was just drill my whole (as stated above) in the wood, then use the hole as a guide.
ahofle:
Hmmm, do they make 3inch hole saws? Hadn't thought of that.
TheTick:
--- Quote from: ahofle on May 28, 2003, 06:45:42 pm ---Hmmm, do they make 3inch hole saws? Hadn't thought of that.
--- End quote ---
Yup. You'll probably just better off asking someone local if you can borrow it, you'll probably only use it the one time.
Or you can be an a**, buy it from Home Depot, use it, and get a refund within 60 days.