Making a hole in plastic?

Question

The plastic is the cover of a CD case. It is hard, meaning it can easily crack if too much pressure is applied to one point.

I need to make a perfect circle in the middle of it (1.25" diameter). I have a dremel with the default bits. Suggestions?

Answer 1

That's a pretty big hole... you might need to use a hole cutter bit rather than a drill bit.

I'd ask at a plastics store, or you might try doing the carpenter's trick of applying masking tape to the area being cut to reinforce it, or clamping it tightly between two boards while cutting?

Otherwise, plastics can usually be melted to cut them (usually with something metal that's heated red hot), but don't think you'd get a smooth edge... though plastic is sandable.

Plastic can also be cut by scoring... so you might repeatedly score it with a "hole cutter" with a small blade in it?

Or you could just grind it out with a Dremel bit (with a grinding bit --lotta work though).


Diane B.

Answer 2

Place masking-tape on front and back of the CD case, AND do the drilling on a solid surface (wood)... this will minimize the chance of cracking.

I just did it using

a) a 1.25" diameter spade-bit (after a pilot hole)
b) a pilot hole and the stone-grinder

Good Luck

Answer 3

dont use a dremel . . . . .i tried it it just cracks it