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Author Topic: Drilling lexan  (Read 5783 times)

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Offline fredvance

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Drilling lexan
« on: April 04, 2010, 10:55:02 AM »
Need some tips on drilling my new lexan windshield.
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Offline Tzoom

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2010, 11:09:05 AM »
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Offline Gwillard

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2010, 11:35:51 AM »
Go to http://www.eaa.org/homebuilders/ and click on "Video Tutorials", located in the menu on the left side of the page. There is one about drilling plexiglass and another fitting and installing a canopy.
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Offline 4-barrel Mike

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2010, 11:36:19 AM »
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Offline RichFox

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2010, 12:13:46 PM »
I never had any trouble drilling Lexan like you do drilling Plexyglass, but just to be safe I alwayd use center drills which do not catch and spin through. They will drill a clean hole in Plexy also.
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Offline Rcktscientist

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2010, 12:32:22 PM »
Aircraft Spruce carries Lexan/Plexiglass drills, I've had good success with these. After a hand deburr I dip a Q-Tip in MEK and coat the hole well. Have had no cracking issues. I also use MEK around the entire perimeter.
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Offline Stan Back

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2010, 12:38:22 PM »
MEK?
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Offline desotoman

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2010, 12:57:30 PM »
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Offline Stan Back

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2010, 01:59:23 PM »
Thanx,

I remember her from junior high.

Stan
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Offline Seldom Seen Slim

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2010, 04:59:34 PM »
Yeah, I think I knew her, too.  Wasn't she the original "good time that was had by all"?
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Offline CruZer

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2010, 07:42:24 PM »
Quote from: desotoman on April 04, 2010, 12:57:30 PM
Quote from: Stan Back on April 04, 2010, 12:38:22 PM
MEK?

methyl ethyl ketone.

Tom G

Methylene Chloride (a known carcinogen) is a good bonding agent for assembling Lexan(R) if you can get it, but for drilling and assembling Lexan any sharp metal drill will work fine. Make the hole slightly oversize and use a flat washer on each side to keep it from cracking due to vibration or chemical attack whether you use a rivet or screws and nuts in assembly.
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Offline Speed Limit 1000

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2010, 07:58:04 PM »
A sharp unibit works well. Baby oil is a good lube for drilling and taping Lexan. Plastic washers help also. Lexan is polycarbonate not acrylic. Acrylic will crack, you can bend polycarbonate like aluminum. Brake clean and other petroleum products will kill it.
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Offline Glen

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #12 on: April 04, 2010, 08:18:05 PM »
Like Rich says, use a small center drill, they work great and don't be in a hurry.
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Offline fredvance

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #13 on: April 04, 2010, 10:13:19 PM »
Thanks everybody I appreciate your input. 

  Fred
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WORLDS FASTEST PRODUCTION MOTORCYCLE 213.470
Vance&Forstall Racing
WOS 2011 235+MPH
Engine by Knecum, Tuned by Johnny Cheese.
Sponsers Catalyst Composites, Johnny Cheese Perf, Knecum Racing Engines, Murray Headers, Carpenter Racing

Offline robfrey

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Re: Drilling lexan
« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2010, 11:02:12 AM »
You just need to grind some reverse rake on your drill bit so that it is more of a scraping action and won't grab and crack the plastic.
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