Pages: 1 [2]   Go Down

Author Topic: Plastic project box cutting??  (Read 842 times)

KD2E

  • Member
  • Posts: 349
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #15 on: February 10, 2022, 07:55:29 AM »

This really depends on the plastic.  Is sounds like you want to do a nice clean job of it.  Have you looked at those "multi-tools" that are now on the market?

-Mike.
Not familiar with "multi-tool"..Sure, plastic, I could jam my soldering iron in to it, and melt a hole until the plug forces in...But yes...I prefer to get it as nice and precision as I have the ability to!
Logged

KD0REQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 2644
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #16 on: February 10, 2022, 08:54:08 AM »

I drill holes in the corners and use a cutting wheel in the Dremel for the rest, just fast enough so the wheel doesn't bind.
Logged

N7EKU

  • Member
  • Posts: 1471
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #17 on: February 10, 2022, 09:15:32 AM »

Hi,

I have a Dremel and wouldn't use it for this.  Better is to take a punch and mark for a series of holes around the border with 1-2mm of clearance from the edge and each hole.  Drill them with a sharp bit on slow speed with a power drill.  Use diagonal cutters to cut out the center piece.  Then file to the final shape with a coarse file.  With Dremels there always seem to be an "Ooops #$!#%" moment.  Plus they stink when cutting/drilling plastic and make tons of dust.  Just my preference -- I know lots of people prefer them.

73.
Logged
Mark -- N7EKU/VE3

WA2ISE

  • Member
  • Posts: 1488
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #18 on: February 10, 2022, 03:12:44 PM »

Quote
..Sure, plastic, I could jam my soldering iron in to it, and melt a hole until the plug forces in...But yes...I prefer to get it as nice and precision as I have the ability to!

I do this, but it can get rather stinky.   :(
Logged

N5CM

  • Member
  • Posts: 895
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #19 on: February 10, 2022, 03:57:57 PM »

Drill a hole in the plastic, then use a jeweler's hacksaw.
Logged

G8FXC

  • Member
  • Posts: 533
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #20 on: February 12, 2022, 05:13:06 AM »

Hi,

I have a Dremel and wouldn't use it for this.  Better is to take a punch and mark for a series of holes around the border with 1-2mm of clearance from the edge and each hole.  Drill them with a sharp bit on slow speed with a power drill.  Use diagonal cutters to cut out the center piece.  Then file to the final shape with a coarse file.  With Dremels there always seem to be an "Ooops #$!#%" moment.  Plus they stink when cutting/drilling plastic and make tons of dust.  Just my preference -- I know lots of people prefer them.

73.

For this kind of job, you really should not use a Dremel free-hand. I have a relatively high-end Dremel plus the bench press and the result is very good...

Martin (G8FXC)
Logged

N7EKU

  • Member
  • Posts: 1471
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #21 on: February 12, 2022, 06:41:33 AM »

For sure,

But one can do just as good a job by hand with simple tools.  In fact, if the material is not super thick, I normally don't even use my power drill anymore for things like that and just use a hand drill.  Plastic and aluminum are really pretty easy to deal with by hand.  And with proper backing, one can also often use a hammer and chisel for cutting the bulk of material for a hole and then a pocket knife for trimming!

For a hand drill though, don't buy one of those plastic new ones.  I tried (a famous brand) one and the plastic gears stripped after just a few uses.  I think it was meant for drilling styrofoam or something :-p  So I bought an old used Stanley and it works great.

73

Logged
Mark -- N7EKU/VE3

PAULRON

  • Posts: 4
    • HomeURL
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #22 on: March 22, 2022, 10:58:02 AM »

use a razor saw!

https://www.amazon.com/Zona-35-140-Interchangable-Blades-36-555/dp/B000EROWJ4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=26H8WNVO0A562&keywords=razor+saw&qid=1647971511&sprefix=razor+saw%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-4

first drill a hole to feed the saw in then follow your safe line (stay a bit in from the finish line). after its cut out, clean it to your finish line with a file for a nice professional job.



Logged

K3UIM

  • Member
  • Posts: 2145
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #23 on: March 22, 2022, 12:54:07 PM »

use a razor saw!

https://www.amazon.com/Zona-35-140-Interchangable-Blades-36-555/dp/B000EROWJ4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=26H8WNVO0A562&keywords=razor+saw&qid=1647971511&sprefix=razor+saw%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-4

first drill a hole to feed the saw in then follow your safe line (stay a bit in from the finish line). after its cut out, clean it to your finish line with a file for a nice professional job.
WOW!! Thanks! One on order!!
Charlie
On Edit: Yuh gotta love this group!! LOL
Logged
Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

KD2E

  • Member
  • Posts: 349
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #24 on: June 16, 2022, 04:51:35 PM »

To all....  Well, all's well that ends well!!
I ended up using my power scroll saw on low setting.
It cut, but the plastic would go right back together again behind the cut.
Even though the scroll saw goes very slow...it was too fast for plastic.
BUT...got my disaster of a hole cut out, and then cleaned it up over way too much time
with small files. So I got 'r done, but did not find the "proper" and slick way to do it!!
Logged

W1VT

  • Member
  • Posts: 6071
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #25 on: June 17, 2022, 10:01:56 AM »

Sometimes the box has useful mounting holes.  When possible I used them for mounting to an aluminum plate that attaches to my milling machine.
Much better than a vise.
Logged

K8AXW

  • Posts: 7391
    • HomeURL
Re: Plastic project box cutting??
« Reply #26 on: June 18, 2022, 09:24:02 AM »

Things like Dremel tools to milling machines are great if you can afford them and justify the cost.

Having problems with both (money & justification) for many years I used the ole "brute force and ignernce" method.

That's the use of good old fashion files!  Drill a small hole or series of holes and finish the opening with the appropriate files.

There is a raft of file sizes, shapes and cuts available including the indispensable Swiss file SET. A shop full of files costs less than a Dremel tool, for which you'll be forever buying attachments/bits.  (I have one which became indispensable for handling #64 drill bits to drill holes in PCBs.)

It takes more time and more effort but it gets the job done.
Logged
A Pessimist is Never Disappointed!
Pages: 1 [2]   Go Up