drilling holes in Ikelite SLR case

[exallias]

Does anyone have experience drilling holes in Ikelite SLR cases? We have a new housing for a Canon 7D and I want to install an external monitor when shooting in video mode. Ikelite will not do custom modifications on SLR cases nor will they offer advice except to tell me I am on my own if I want to proceed with this. Drilling through plastic (lexan) probably requires some precautions but if so what are they? What type of drill bit should I use? Should a smaller hole be drilled first? How about precautions on overheating the plastic while drilling, etc. etc.

If anyone has experience with this please let me know. I have a lot of old Ikelite housings (dating back decades) so I have plenty of material to practice with.

 

[ekoast]

Did you have any success with this? I am looking to add an external monitor as well. I realize this post is old, but thought I'd try to see if you found a solution in drilling into the case to add an ICS connector.

 

[Doubler]

Contact these guys Underwater Camera Stuff. All they do is this kind of work.

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Good referral there, but drilling and tapping the polycarbonate material Ikelite uses is not difficult at all. Ideally if you can avoid drilling through the case completely then you don't have to worry about sealing the hole you made. Use a standard drill bit, and tap it with a standard tap, followed by a bottom tap if you need the additional full threads. PM me if you have any questions about what I suggested here!

 

[tadawson]

That's sad . . . I remember back quite some time when Ikelite's claim to fame was customer work to fit pretty much anything . . .

Sad that they have dumbed down their offerings so much now . . .

- Tim

Does anyone have experience drilling holes in Ikelite SLR cases? We have a new housing for a Canon 7D and I want to install an external monitor when shooting in video mode. Ikelite will not do custom modifications on SLR cases nor will they offer advice except to tell me I am on my own if I want to proceed with this. Drilling through plastic (lexan) probably requires some precautions but if so what are they? What type of drill bit should I use? Should a smaller hole be drilled first? How about precautions on overheating the plastic while drilling, etc. etc.

If anyone has experience with this please let me know. I have a lot of old Ikelite housings (dating back decades) so I have plenty of material to practice with.

 

[blibecap]

The case, the front part of the housing is made from a polycarbonate and the back is made from acrylic. I have found that a very slow speed drill press or mill is a great help in this process. For coolant I have had success with soapy water. Do not attempt to use alcohol as it will craze the acrylic.

I would be glad to assist you with this project. I am in Cincinnati Ohio USA.