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05-27-2018, 11:47 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Midland, mi
Posts: 648
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Any reason that these numbered drill (plexi-point) bits can't be used to enlarge holes? Or will they cause chipping? The #40 worked well for the initial drilling of the back window.
https://www.abbeon.com/Item--i-2118
For enlarging the hole from #40 to #36 for the roll bar side of the window, would the #36 plexiglass-point be OK for this job, since it will be enlarged to #27 anyway later? Or is a #36 reamer required?
Also, for final drilling to #27 for all the holes, would a plexi-point be OK, since one will be backing up the hole with a piece of wood? Or would a step bit be better, even though the hole would be bigger 5/32". Of course fo rate back holes, I doubt that there is a step bit that would initial fit into the #40 holes.
__________________
Ken Stockman
Midland, MI
EAA Chapter 1093 member
RV-14 (serial number 140073)
N73XP (at least that # reserved now)
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05-31-2018, 09:28 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Midland, mi
Posts: 648
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not sure if this is a good or bad idea as a method to clean up chipped holes, but would acrylic glue work, like TAP acrylic cement, help clean up the hole edges. The solvents would soften up the edges and the monomer would polymerize and "seal" the micro cracks as the solvent evaporates.
I am pretty sure that the glue works by partially dissolving up the surface of the polymer (swelling) and allows the two piece (when bonding acrylic edges together) to chain entangle and bond after the solvent evaporates.
I have not tried, but from a chemistry perspective it should.
You would have to be careful to not get the glue on any place that would be visible, since it might cause visual distortion due to the monomer in the glue.
__________________
Ken Stockman
Midland, MI
EAA Chapter 1093 member
RV-14 (serial number 140073)
N73XP (at least that # reserved now)
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05-31-2018, 10:42 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 2,584
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stockmanreef
Any reason that these numbered drill (plexi-point) bits can't be used to enlarge holes? Or will they cause chipping? The #40 worked well for the initial drilling of the back window.
https://www.abbeon.com/Item--i-2118
For enlarging the hole from #40 to #36 for the roll bar side of the window, would the #36 plexiglass-point be OK for this job, since it will be enlarged to #27 anyway later? Or is a #36 reamer required?
Also, for final drilling to #27 for all the holes, would a plexi-point be OK, since one will be backing up the hole with a piece of wood? Or would a step bit be better, even though the hole would be bigger 5/32". Of course fo rate back holes, I doubt that there is a step bit that would initial fit into the #40 holes.
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I used this type of drill bit for an existing hole (#40) and had zero issues. I just wish I knew of a source that sold these type of drill in a numbered size. The hole that they produce is absolutely great and clean. I got mine from Tap plastic.
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Mehrdad
N825SM RV7A - IO360M1B - SOLD
N825MS RV14A - IO390 - Flying
Dues paid
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06-16-2018, 04:47 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 47
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Enlarging Plexiglas Holes
For the back window, I initially drilled the Plexiglas with a 3/32 plexi-drill. Then I reamed to #40 then to #36. After tapping, I then reamed to #30 and finally to #27. The plexi-drill cut OK into the roll bar for the initial hole and the reamers did also for the later enlargements.
It was about 85 degrees in my shop and I noticed no chipping. This was my first time working with the Plexiglas. I was paranoid based on all the emails and tried to enlarge a little at a time.
It may have been overkill using all the reamers, but it seemed to work for me.
__________________
Rob
RV-14 Finish Kit in Progress
EAA Chapter 343 (DTN)
Shreveport, LA
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01-01-2019, 09:12 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: C27
Posts: 14
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14 window drilling
Of all the posts I've read regarding drilling into plexi, this is the one I am going with. I am also very paranoid about the process.
Just ordered the #40 plexi bit, along with a #36 & #27 reamer.
Planning to order some scrap to practice with, then crank up the heat in the shop and get-r done.
Thanks to all for the posts.
__________________
Jim Fisher
140411 Began 1/5/18
Tail kit and QB fuselage done
Finish kit in progress
QB wings summer 2019
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02-10-2019, 06:38 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New London, NC (near Charlotte), Boulder, CO
Posts: 188
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When using reamers in metal, I've always done it by hand. For plexiglass, can you chuck it up in a drill and use a slow speed?
JH
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02-10-2019, 10:20 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 3,565
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I had good luck starting all holes with a standard #40 drill bit. Light pressure to avoid breaking through and chipping as you are seeing. You want to go slow so that you are generating a lot of heat at the tip. This helps soften the plexi a bit. After #40, upsize with a unibit. Not one chip or crack on the whole canopy.
Larry
__________________
N64LR
RV-6A / IO-320, Flying as of 8/2015
RV-10 in progress
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02-11-2019, 08:39 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 926
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Quote:
I had good luck starting all holes with a standard #40 drill bit.
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We tested a lot of different ways on scrap.
New, sharp bits can grab instantly (even when going slow) resulting in a nice long crack and a very bad day.
I recommend only using a very dull bit here.
You can dull a bit by just drilling 4 or 5 times into a brick.
To echo what everyone else is saying, it's the heat that makes the hole nice and clean.
__________________
#140376 RV-14A QB IO-390 Thunderbolt
Registered: N196
Progress: Flying!
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