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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: londonbabe on August 02, 2006, 03:48:42 am

Title: Drilling holes in Perspex. Spade bit or holesaw?
Post by: londonbabe on August 02, 2006, 03:48:42 am

What's better for neat holes in Perspex/Plexiglas? A holesaw or a spade bit? This is for the buttons and joystick, obviously.

Title: Re: Drilling holes in Perspex. Spade bit or holesaw?
Post by: NightGod on August 02, 2006, 05:01:02 am

Forstner bit to get things started, router + flush trim bit to size.

Title: Re: Drilling holes in Perspex. Spade bit or holesaw?
Post by: Xiaou2 on August 02, 2006, 06:10:53 am

Forstner = cleanest.  best to use with a drill-guide as far as i recall

Spade next = and very fast.. yet will need a drill-guide to use without crackage

Holesaw may roughen the edges slightly, but they can be used without a drill-guide. 
they also seem to be best for not cracking plexi when used in a good manor. 
A light hand sanding on the hole edges should clean up any burrs. 

Title: Re: Drilling holes in Perspex. Spade bit or holesaw?
Post by: ahofle on August 02, 2006, 12:02:14 pm

If you go with a spade bit without a press or guide, use it at a high speed with minimal downward pressure (that's what causes the cracking in my experience).  If you press lightly and put the drill on the highest speed setting, it will start to melt through the plexi and you'll get a nice clean hole.  Definitely practice a few holes first on spare piece to get the hang of it.