[Milsurplus] Cutting Thick, Clear Plastic

[Dr. William J. Schmidt, II]

Roto-zip or a router would be much faster.... Roto-zip is used for laminate 
and dry wall trimming... the router is obvious.

Sincerely,

Dr. William J. Schmidt, II  K9HZ
Trustee of the North American QRO - Central Division Club - K9ZC

Email: bill at wjschmidt.com
WebPage: www.wjschmidt.com

"If you drink... don't drive.  Don't even putt"  - Dean Martin.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Hanz" <AAF-Radio-1 at cox.net>
To: "David Stinson" <arc5 at ix.netcom.com>
Cc: "Milsurplus Radios" <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2006 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Cutting Thick, Clear Plastic


> David Stinson wrote:
>
>>The plastic is about 1.5 times as thick as a computer CD disc,
>>and about the same flexibility; perhaps a bit more.
>>
>
> Ah!  Okay, thanks...'thick' to me is anything over an inch.  :-)
>
>>Isn't Lexan much thicker?
>
> Not necessarily - you can get lexan in just about any thickness that is 
> available in plexiglas or other clear plastics.
>
>>My hand isn't nearly steady enough to cut a circle cleanly
>>with a Dremel tool free-hand.  (Light-bulb just went on)-
>>Would this work: fix an arm or "jig" to the center of the circle
>>being cut, using it to hold the Dremel tool at the right diameter as I 
>>rotate it all the way around.  My concern: even on low speed,
>>wouldn't a Dremel get too hot for such thin plastic?
>>
>
> Not if you blow on it.  <g>  Seriously, just cut a little and let cool a 
> little.  You'll eventually get it all the way around the circle.  I think 
> I would cut it to rough shape and chuck it in a hand drill with a bolt and 
> a couple of washers.  Use a sanding block to smooth the edge as it spins 
> until it's the right diameter.  It will be easier if you hold the drill in 
> a vise and leave it turned on - that will allow you to control the sanding 
> block more easily.  Finish up with some 400 grit wet/dry and it will look 
> fine.
>
> 73,
> Mike
>
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