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Author Topic: How to make a hole in a plastic container  (Read 3671 times)

Offline special-k

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How to make a hole in a plastic container
« on: February 28, 2013, 01:17:30 PM »
I have a "how to" question for your some of you folks who are a little more tool/material/fabrication oriented than I am.

I need to make two 1-1/2 in. holes in this container:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Y67WDK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3DBBBHKVF7CP2

... So that I can attached these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002738JQ/ref=gno_cart_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3VZKFNMHAPZBO

As you see, due to the cost, I need to get it right the first time.  How would you do it?  What kind of bit (step, spade, routing, etc.) would you use?  I don't have the container in hand yet, but I think it's going to be too heavy duty to cut with an exacto knife.

P.S.  Don't get too excited about the hydroponics... I'm just stepping up my wheatgrass operation...  8) No really.

« Last Edit: February 28, 2013, 02:00:30 PM by special-k »
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Offline special-k

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2013, 02:36:39 PM »
Quote from: walker on February 28, 2013, 02:02:16 PM
Um, how about a hole saw?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-1-1-2-in-Bi-Metal-Hole-Saw-49-56-9617/202327748#.US-pQZDn-po

Maybe, but it would have to be the kind that has the guide bit in the middle.  Otherwise it would likely slide all over the place.
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Offline Kentactic

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2013, 02:53:57 PM »
Hole saw
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Offline special-k

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2013, 03:09:30 PM »
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Offline JohnyMac

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2013, 06:32:45 PM »
Me, I would heat a 1 1/2" diameter piece of metal; heat it up red and then go to town.
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Offline special-k

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2013, 06:42:55 PM »
Quote from: JohnyMac on February 28, 2013, 06:32:45 PM
Me, I would heat a 1 1/2" diameter piece of metal; heat it up red and then go to town.
That did cross my mind.  But I'm concerned that the plastic would blister and that wouldn't be good for the watertight seal I'm going to need there.
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CrookedSights

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2013, 07:02:58 PM »
A hole saw is your best bet, I've never seen one without a pilot bit though. If you've got a Harbor Freight near you that would probably be the cheapest you're going to find. I got a set with six sizes for a couple of bucks there a few years ago.
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Offline thatGuy

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2013, 07:09:17 PM »
Your blister worry is well founded ABS plastic is porous and will hold water in the structure of the plastic. I just went though this at work where I was thermo molding a couple hundred pieces of ABS.

Hole saw with a guide bit is the way for sure. If you can find a dull bit at the flea market it will cut a cleaner hole believe it or not and all the ones with a threaded center hole fit the same standard arbor.

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Offline special-k

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2013, 07:59:11 PM »
Survey says... "hole saw."  Thanks guys.

Quote from: thatGuy on February 28, 2013, 07:09:17 PM
...If you can find a dull bit at the flea market it will cut a cleaner hole believe it or not...
I hear ya' there.  My first attempt will be to drill out the pilot hole, then reverse the drill (simulating a very dull saw) and see if that gets me anywhere with the plastic.  If not, I'll switch it to forward.
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Offline Kentactic

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2013, 08:50:42 PM »
Dont over think this brother. No need to try reversing the drill n stuff. If you want a perfect hole use a hole saw on a drill press. If thats not possible you could masking tape over the drill spot.  But really unless you pass out while drilling it, it will be just fine.
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Offline special-k

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2013, 09:08:25 PM »
I ain't got no press.
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CrookedSights

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2013, 09:29:20 PM »
No need for a press, you're not drilling through a 2x4 so there's no need to be perfectly square. It's not wood so you're not going to get tear out so you don't need tape. You also don't have to drill a pilot hole.
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Offline special-k

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #12 on: February 28, 2013, 09:44:53 PM »
I'm so coRnfused.
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CrookedSights

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #13 on: February 28, 2013, 10:01:18 PM »
1) Get hole saw.
2) Insert hole saw into chuck.
3) Drill hole.
4) Finish "wheatgrass" set up.
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Offline special-k

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #14 on: February 28, 2013, 10:18:13 PM »
Quote from: CrookedSights on February 28, 2013, 10:01:18 PM
1) Get hole saw.
2) Insert hole saw into chuck.
3) Drill hole.
4) Finish "wheatgrass" set up.

Naw naw naw, it's never that simple with any project I tackle.   [url=http://yoursmiles.org/p-m
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Offline thatGuy

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #15 on: February 28, 2013, 11:10:47 PM »
Dude, take the arbor without the hole saw on it and drill a hole for the guide bit. Put the hole saw on the arbor and drill.

You can get into trouble when the guide bit punches though the material and you slam the hole saw into the abs. It grabs and pulls.

If you do the guide hole first that won't happen. If you can wait till Monday I'll make a video.
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Offline special-k

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #16 on: February 28, 2013, 11:28:15 PM »
Quote from: thatGuy on February 28, 2013, 11:10:47 PM
If you do the guide hole first that won't happen. If you can wait till Monday I'll make a video.
Sure.  The flood table won't be here until between the 6th and the 9th.

That's exactly what I'm worried about... It grabbing the ABS and shredding in random directions.  I'm sorta thinking the best way to prevent that is to go very slow (grind away) OR go very fast (punch through).  But anyway, I won't know the thickness of the ABS until I get it.  This was the cheapest flood table so I'm guessing it will be on the thinner side as far as flood tables go.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2013, 07:30:20 AM by special-k »
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Offline mountainredneck2051

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #17 on: March 01, 2013, 01:26:44 PM »
am i the only guy with tools?
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Offline thatGuy

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Re: How to make a hole in a plastic container
« Reply #18 on: March 01, 2013, 06:27:51 PM »
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