Henri
refuses to grow up
Exactly these! Thanks for your correction! I have three sets in different shapes and even sizes.
Any tips on cutting a neat hole in plastic sheet material?
- Thread starter viaEstrecha
- Start date
viaEstrecha
Spanish metre gauge in G scale (on the cheap)
A bit embarrassing: I have quite a few of these, but I've never had the imagination, patience and diligence to use them as well as Henri. Time I learned, I reckon,
Chain drilling and widening out with a file also works well.
Just mark the circle with a pencil in a compas. Drill smaller holes all round just clear of inside the line BUT NICE AND SLOW so as not to melt the plastic.
Then you can carefully with a craft knife join the holes to get the centre out and then carefully file out the waste to your perfectly formed hole.
As a rule many of the quicker methods can end up with trashed or melted plastic.
Slowly slowly catchy monkey.
Just mark the circle with a pencil in a compas. Drill smaller holes all round just clear of inside the line BUT NICE AND SLOW so as not to melt the plastic.
Then you can carefully with a craft knife join the holes to get the centre out and then carefully file out the waste to your perfectly formed hole.
As a rule many of the quicker methods can end up with trashed or melted plastic.
Slowly slowly catchy monkey.
viaEstrecha
Spanish metre gauge in G scale (on the cheap)
We shall see if the fat fingers can manage it - this loco is my practice piece before seriously bashing the 218. Expensive thread this - I've already put in a couple of Amazon orders for the right kit, as recommended above!
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Gérard Baudoin
Registered
Hello from France. I have tried a lot of kludge but this tool is THE tool for plasticard: turn VERY slowly by hand in a first hole of 5 mm.
viaEstrecha
Spanish metre gauge in G scale (on the cheap)
Interesting - like a standard step drill but with a modified profile, which I would imagine makes a more sensitive cut. I've not seen that in the UK.
Oh why did I forget that, have a set that I bought in Aldi plus one that Steve at Fosworks kindly sent me when I needed one for work on my Gauge 1 Terrier.
viaEstrecha
Spanish metre gauge in G scale (on the cheap)
Well, it worked! I prefer to invest in tools which can be used for several purposes in the future, and so a drill stand and new brad point drill bit seemed the most attractive option for me to try first, from all the excellent ideas above. My DeWalt cordless is designed to be used in a stand and although it does not have a latching trigger, for my first test on a gash bit of foamboard, it was easy to operate it with my left hand, achieving a really slow speed, and pull down the lever with the other. So that's the 'porthole' windows sorted, and I'll try the chain drilling and filing technique on the weirder shapes, in due course.
Oh Brad Point Drill, never heard that term before. I had thought that they were wood drills, certainly all of my Brad Points are in a box marked wood drills.
JimmyB
Now retired - trains and fishing
Possibly a term imported from over the pond, a bit like "brad", which I believe is a sort of nail or panel pin.
viaEstrecha
Spanish metre gauge in G scale (on the cheap)
Have to say, I had never appreciated the difference, doing DIY, when one twist drill is much like another and I am usually only looking for a bit the right size which I haven't already blunted, but this is the difference, the brad point making it easier to position in a hole begun with a bradawl or punch.
Incidentally, these are from a small set from your favourite tool supplier - Aldi
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I think the brad point for wood drills is an addition to centre a hole easier as a traditional centre punch would likely cause damage with wood. Also likely that it would blunt the point of the punch as I have found using metal drills for wood is not good practice.Have to say, I had never appreciated the difference, doing DIY, when one twist drill is much like another and I am usually only looking for a bit the right size which I haven't already blunted, but this is the difference, the brad point making it easier to position in a hole begun with a bradawl or punch.
View attachment 304435
Incidentally, these are from a small set from your favourite tool supplier - Aldi
JimmyB
Now retired - trains and fishing
Gérard Baudoin
Registered
That D one is an interesting variation, never seen one of them before. One that can be added are the adjustable Countersink Wood drills and from my quick search just now many many more!
Gérard Baudoin
Registered
I have two diameter of "D" drill. they must be used in a stand-drill very slowly in wood and very very slowly in" plasticard": plastic sheet melt at high speed with all drills or wicks.
The adjustable drills have a conical shape to match the old wood screws.
The adjustable drills have a conical shape to match the old wood screws.
Henri
refuses to grow up
The B is the big motha f(peep)r we used assembling our veranda. My neighbour had one inhertited from his grandpa. Rusted to the max but boy did it drill holes!!
viaEstrecha
Spanish metre gauge in G scale (on the cheap)
I went for a vertical drill stand and new 15mm drill bit. The result through foamboard and plasticard was perfect, such that a clear acrylic disk was actually just an interference fit to glaze the loco cab windows and looks better in the flesh than the photo shows. Great result and thanks for eyervone's support. 
