Any hints/tips on cutting holes in windows

Sayso

Sayso

Sayso

Soldato
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Going to start modding the window of my case...as per title really anyone done this?

was planning on using a dremmel but wasn't sure whether to drill it out first or what cutting bit to use, i think the main problem i see is the material melting!
 
If the material is perspex type material or pretty much any clear plastic it will melt even with the dremmel on a really low speed. Your best bet is a hand fret saw, but even then it will be very hard as the window will be very prone to cracking or splitting, especially when you get to the last few cm of cut.

If you want a circular window in your window (cue lots of "yo dawg I heard you like a window in your window" photoshops) then the best bet is a hole saw. Drill pilit hole and take it nice and slow on a medium speed.

Let us know how it goes.
 
If you want to keep it cheap, I'd cut it with a thin bladed hand saw then find or make a ring to go over the rough edges so you can't see where you cut out.
 
I've got the 360 attachment thing for my dremmel and its well worth an investment,
drill a hole, fit the 360, whack ya dremmel on the highest setting and away ya go, the faster you set it, the smoother it flows,

then tidy up with the sanding wheel,

I've done loads of stuff with it :)
 
oO Stevie Oo said:
I've got the 360 attachment thing for my dremmel and its well worth an investment,
drill a hole, fit the 360, whack ya dremmel on the highest setting and away ya go, the faster you set it, the smoother it flows,

then tidy up with the sanding wheel,

I've done loads of stuff with it :)
Click to expand...

Does the melted edge clean up ok. I know from cutting the plastic on my skelly that it melts and was concerned it might be an issue or perhaps cause discolouration of the window through heat or perhaps even warping
 
i have a metal jig of what i want to cut out?

will post some pics up of what i have planned give me 1/2 hour :)

this

IMAG0003.jpg
 
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Ok so 3 options as I see it.

1 Trace onto window and have it large with the dremmel

2 Trace onto window and get yourself some fret saw action

3 Attach to window, use as jig and fire up the router.

Which you go for will be dictated by the skills you have and the tools you have access to.
 
option1 ... i can always replace the window, was thinking full speed hack cut ***

if i had a router i would use that, what i might do is try one line and depending on the thickness/mess it makes i might fit some sort of precut rad grill!!

what about a drill and jigsaw or is that just going to snap the perspex (or whatever it is)
 
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Laser can't cut polycarbonate. If It's acrylic, put some clear sellotape over the cut line and try again, don't ask how it works but it does, lower cutting speed if possible too
 
Lakeland said:
Laser can't cut polycarbonate. If It's acrylic, put some clear sellotape over the cut line and try again, don't ask how it works but it does, lower cutting speed if possible too
Click to expand...

Well, it can. Just been reading up.
But it produces some frighteningly toxic stuff! So I really wouldn't bother . . . . You can waterjet it though. The chances of finging anyone with that is very very slim!

Unless you use acrylic.
 
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