ABS Box - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

DonaldStott · 30th Sep 2017, 2:53 pm

Don't know if this the correct place to Post this ...?

What's the best tool to use to cut a 3" diameter circular hole in the lid of an ABS plastic box.

ms660 · 30th Sep 2017, 3:05 pm

Hole saw or Forstner bit, not too fast, job clamped to a fixed backing board of suitable thickness.

Lawrence.

G6Tanuki · 30th Sep 2017, 3:06 pm

What I'd use is a "tank cutter" fitted in a drill-press.

For example http://www.thanettoolsupplies.co.uk/...147e20df28981a

Run it fast, and apply *very* gentle feed pressure. I've drilled holes in Perspex/Lexan this way.

Biggles · 30th Sep 2017, 4:39 pm

If using a handheld battery drill be sure to use the torque clutch on it. If it snags it can't half give your wrist a snap. Make sure the work is held securely, as has been said before. With ABS be sure you don't overcook it and melt the plastic with friction of the cutter. All from bitter experience.
Alan.

emeritus · 30th Sep 2017, 5:22 pm

For thin plastic sheet up to 1mm, and plywood up to 4mm I have used a Swann-Morton No 11 scalpel blade clamped in the ink nib of a par of compasses. Drill a very small hole to establish the centre, and cut from opposite sides.

Andrewausfa · 30th Sep 2017, 6:25 pm

Depending on the material, other than the hole saws mentioned above, you could use one of these. Also useful for cutting out felt washers for the back of knobs and also sorts of other circular plastic parts. For plastic reverse the blade so you are scoring the material rather than slicing, otherwise it tends to skew out of the 'cut'.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olfa-Compas.../dp/B000BK7NWC

Andrew

DonaldStott · 6th Oct 2017, 6:32 pm

Not a bad attempt using my hole saw - see picture below (but don't look too closely!).

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations.

30th Sep 2017, 2:53 pm	#1
DonaldStott Octode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Glasgow, UK. Posts: 1,842	ABS Box Don't know if this the correct place to Post this ...? What's the best tool to use to cut a 3" diameter circular hole in the lid of an ABS plastic box. __________________ BVWS Member

30th Sep 2017, 3:05 pm	#2
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: ABS Box Hole saw or Forstner bit, not too fast, job clamped to a fixed backing board of suitable thickness. Lawrence.

30th Sep 2017, 3:06 pm	#3
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,996	Re: ABS Box What I'd use is a "tank cutter" fitted in a drill-press. For example http://www.thanettoolsupplies.co.uk/...147e20df28981a Run it fast, and apply very gentle feed pressure. I've drilled holes in Perspex/Lexan this way.

30th Sep 2017, 4:39 pm	#4
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Re: ABS Box If using a handheld battery drill be sure to use the torque clutch on it. If it snags it can't half give your wrist a snap. Make sure the work is held securely, as has been said before. With ABS be sure you don't overcook it and melt the plastic with friction of the cutter. All from bitter experience. Alan.

30th Sep 2017, 5:22 pm	#5
emeritus Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 5,337	Re: ABS Box For thin plastic sheet up to 1mm, and plywood up to 4mm I have used a Swann-Morton No 11 scalpel blade clamped in the ink nib of a par of compasses. Drill a very small hole to establish the centre, and cut from opposite sides.

30th Sep 2017, 6:25 pm	#6
Andrewausfa Octode Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,180	Re: ABS Box Depending on the material, other than the hole saws mentioned above, you could use one of these. Also useful for cutting out felt washers for the back of knobs and also sorts of other circular plastic parts. For plastic reverse the blade so you are scoring the material rather than slicing, otherwise it tends to skew out of the 'cut'. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olfa-Compas.../dp/B000BK7NWC Andrew __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life. Or they should do. BVWS Member

6th Oct 2017, 6:32 pm	#7
DonaldStott Octode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Glasgow, UK. Posts: 1,842	Re: ABS Box Not a bad attempt using my hole saw - see picture below (but don't look too closely!). Thanks to everyone for their recommendations. Attached Thumbnails __________________ BVWS Member