What a Hole!!

[murphdivers286]

I have a question for all DIYers. I know to some this might seem to be a stupid question. I know it would be easier to buy a saw kit, but right now I can not afford to get one. I will get one as soon as I can.

Anyways, back to my question. How can I cut a 3" to 5" circle out of 1/4" lexan. I do not have access to any machine equipment. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jbd]

I have a question for all DIYers. I know to some this might seem to be a stupid question. I know it would be easier to buy a saw kit, but right now I can not afford to get one. I will get one as soon as I can.

Anyways, back to my question. How can I cut a 3" to 5" circle out of 1/4" lexan. I do not have access to any machine equipment. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

What tools do you have to work with?

 

[spectrum]

I have a question for all DIYers. I know to some this might seem to be a stupid question. I know it would be easier to buy a saw kit, but right now I can not afford to get one. I will get one as soon as I can.

Anyways, back to my question. How can I cut a 3" to 5" circle out of 1/4" lexan. I do not have access to any machine equipment. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Without knowing what you have for tools....
I assume you want the hole, not the disc that is being removed

Rough it out with a reciprocating saw or keyhole saw then file or drum sand it to size.

Make an oversized pattern and zing it out with a router.

Find a friend with a machine shop.

Drill a series of small holes all the way around, cut the webbing with a keyhole saw the file/sand clean.

Go buy the hole saw, you don't need to buy the whole set.

Pete

 

[murphdivers286]

I have a cordless drill, a few different size bits up to 1/2", a dremel tool. I want the discs out of the hole for a reel.

 

[SteveC]

You might be able to cut it with a cheap hand coping saw.

Steve

 

[dannobee]

Get something like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50384&item=4377967961&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

They aren't particularly safe when used with a hand held drill (a drill press would be better), but if you go slow, it'll work ok.

 

[derwoodwithasherwood]

You can use a jigsaw/scrollsaw/bandsaw with a medium tooth at a speed low enough to prevent melting. Drill a hole with an ordinary steel drill bit in the off-cut for a starting point for the blade and work outward to the desired line of cut. You can finish the edges with sandpaper (dremel tool, etc.)

Wiping the edges with a solvent like Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) or Dimethyl Ketone will re-seal any micro-cracks that might expand later. Do so with caution, as any MEK that spills on the finished product will eat into it and ruin the finish.

 

[DennisS]

Get a friend with a band saw to do it.

 

[Web Monkey]

I have a cordless drill, a few different size bits up to 1/2", a dremel tool. I want the discs out of the hole for a reel.

Use a dremel tool with a Roto-Zip (like a tiny router bit, for cutting shapes) bit and a circle cutter attachment (just a string or metal bar to keep the tool equidistant from the center hole while you move around it.

Terry

 

[scubapro50]

take it to a "glass shop" and have them cut it for you .... it will only cost a few bucks and they have a better chance of not screwing it up !