[ajitkommini]

Over the weekend I made a home for my multimeter. I always loved those pelican style polypropylene boxes with pre-cut foam inserts. The originals are quite pricey (but nearly indestructible and come with a lifetime warranty), but I picked up a knock-off from aliexpress for around 11 USD. This is a small box but the quality is pretty good. It comes with three layers of foam. One "egg carton style" layer in the lid, another firm layer at the bottom, and a thicker middle layer that's pre-cut into small cubes. By plucking out selected cubes you can make a depression or hollow to whatever shape and size you need. I cut out two large rectangular spaces - one for the meter itself and one for the probes as shown.

[Gannu_1]

Guys, need some inputs.

I need to cut a 1" hole on a plastic tank (windshield wiper fluid tank to be specific). Is a hole saw or a spade bit the correct tool to be used for the job?



I've used a hole saw on a thin ply of wood and it cut the hole fine.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Guys, need some inputs.

I need to cut a 1" hole on a plastic tank (windshield wiper fluid tank to be specific). Is a hole saw or a spade bit the correct tool to be used for the job?

Attachment 1340291

I've used a hole saw on a thin ply of wood and it cut the hole fine.

Hole saw is the way to go.

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

I've used a hole saw on a thin ply of wood and it cut the hole fine.

Hole saw worked well for me too. I used it to make a hole on the plastic A-pillar trim of my old car to install a pair of tweeters.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Hole saw sounds good for the job. A guy drilled a perfect hole in our roof tank with a spade bit. It was all I had that size.

Whichever... go very slow and gentle or you'll melt the plastic

[SunnyBoi]

Chopped and re purposed couple of Lizol bottles to hold a few tools! I'll chop up couple more to hold screwdrivers and other stuff too

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by Aroy

Hole saw is the way to go.

Originally Posted by Sankar

Hole saw worked well for me too.

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Hole saw sounds good for the job.

Got the hole saw from the neighbourhood hardware shop and the perfect size I was looking for.



Hope the job goes well now!

[Gannu_1]

Guys, some pointers please.

This pencil grinding bit (like the one below) usually is used with the tool that operates at a very high RPM (>10k rpm).



Will this work if we use it in a regular drill? Just need to grind some plastic in a small cavity.

[mav2000]

Yup it will still work. This is made for use with a dremel tool.

You could also use a hand file if its a small job, as you will have more control.

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by mav2000

Yup it will still work.

Thanks shall give it a try. The drill is a bit bulky compared to holding the dremel and operating, agreed.

Originally Posted by mav2000

You could also use a hand file if its a small job, as you will have more control.

Nope. The file doesn't reach that pocket. Tried my best with 2-3 different types of files.

[mav2000]

Can you show me a picture of what you are trying to do? I have a whole set of files, some of them being round files, but very very thin. Mostly for small work. I fin them easier to use for smaller jobs as compared to the bits from the dremel.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Guys, need some inputs.

I need to cut a 1" hole on a plastic tank (windshield wiper fluid tank to be specific). Is a hole saw or a spade bit the correct tool to be used for the job?

Attachment 1340291

I've used a hole saw on a thin ply of wood and it cut the hole fine.

Gannu,

I had this trouble when I wanted to drill round hole on the plastic on the front Quarter panel glass to mount the Tweeters.

When I had DIY installed the Puddle lamps for my friend's Palio 2 years before, the box came with the drill bit and I assumed I could use this for the Tweeters too but I realised the Diameter of this bit was way too less than what the Tweeter required.

And I wasn't ready for drill a smaller hole and then do the jugaad of using a file to make it right to fit these Tweeters.

For a change, my dad simply rode to the nearby hardware shop and returned with a set of drill bits that could drill larger Diameter holes. It came with a set of bits with different diameters but a common central bit to make that initial hole and a small allen key to fit the bit of your choice over the central stud.

Got this for mere 200 bucks and I was damn happy about the VFM factor. Let me try to post a pic for the same tonight or tomorrow.

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by mav2000

Can you show me a picture of what you are trying to do?

Here you go:

Originally Posted by paragsachania

And I wasn't ready for drill a smaller hole and then do the jugaad of using a file to make it right to fit these Tweeters.

Paragbhai, a drill bit won't help in this case. I need to grind down those plastic bits from the second snap above.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Guys, some pointers please.

This pencil grinding bit (like the one below) usually is used with the tool that operates at a very high RPM (>10k rpm).

Attachment 1344875

Will this work if we use it in a regular drill? Just need to grind some plastic in a small cavity.

If you know this already, just ignore and move on, but...

Please do not even think of using any form of grinder without proper, impact-resistant eye protection --- or it may be the last thing you ever see.

(in fact, it should probably be full-face protection. Having a chunk in you cheek may not blind, but it wouldn't be much fun)

moving on to the practical aspects...

I suspect that that kind of grinder, used on plastic, will clog quickly. You might be able to unclog it with a wire brush, but maybe not.

At high speeds, it will melt the plastic and very soon become irretrievably clogged up.

A grinding bit is actually very hard to control ---it will make you really appreciate your dentist's skills!--- and you should certainly keep it slow. Doing fine work with a "regular" drill, which is relatively heavy and clunky, might be very hard indeed.

If you choose to experiment, be prepared to loose both the bit and the plastic piece!

EDIT...

Afterthought. How about trying a hot knife?

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

If you know this already, just ignore and move on, but...

No worries Nick. I use a pair of 3M safety goggles whenever I do some drilling/grinding work. We were trained to wear all the safety gear (hard hat, safety boots with steel toes, safety goggles, ear plugs and overalls) when we enter the shipyard here. After 6+ years, I guess I’ve got used to wearing some of these at home as well while doing such work.

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

At high speeds, it will melt the plastic

This is the only part I am worried of. Will see if I can keep the drill stationary and use the plastic piece hand-held.

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Afterthought. How about trying a hot knife?

The second pic exactly shows the result after using a hot knife to get rid of the cross plastic piece you see in the first pic.