Plexiglass bits?

airguy · #1 10-26-2010, 04:02 PM

I'm only a few days away from tackling my canopy - where are you guys finding the special plexiglass drillbits for use on the canopy?

terrye · #2 10-26-2010, 04:21 PM

Avery
http://www.averytools.com/pc-716-27-...ic-drills.aspx

Cleaveland
http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/products.asp?dept=22

Craftics
http://www.craftics.net/ShowItems.as...entCategory=87
Plas-drill bits have 90 degree included angle and zero rake angle, only 8 sizes
http://www.craftics.net/ShowItems.as...entCategory=87
Plexipoint bits have 80 degree included angle and zero rake angle, available from 1/16" up in increments of 1/64"

I noticed my local plastics supplier had some as well.

AC43.13 shows a 150 degree included angle and zero rake angle for acrylic plastics and also recommends an Unibit

dhall_polo · #3 10-26-2010, 07:43 PM

I used plexi bits and still got cracks. Later, I was advised by one of the gurus on this site to simply to further dull a used #30 bit by drilling it into cement for a few bursts. I did just that and it worked well on the canopy.

rblackley · #4 10-26-2010, 08:37 PM

It has a reallly sharp point and worked well.

az_gila · #5 10-27-2010, 01:39 AM

...in a slow cordless drill will work well to make small holes larger - but not for that initial hole.

I too drilled with a used #40 drill bit and had no trouble even in cool temperatures.

Flybuddy2 · #6 10-27-2010, 03:58 AM

I've had good success with simply reversing the drill and using standard (not too sharp) bits. It simply melts its way through without any grabbing at all.

Bob_pipedream · #7 10-27-2010, 05:51 AM

Glue the blimin thing with sikaflex and save your fears of cracking for something else...

Seriously I bolted on the outriggers of my 9 tonne steel trimaran and used sikaflex just to seal the plates. When I came to unbolt them years later I had to jump up and down, prise with bars and all kinds of things before the sika gave way. Sika is **** strong, flexible and UV resistant and probably a bit quicker too...

TCONROY · #8 10-27-2010, 10:19 AM

TAP Plastics has several outlets here in the Northwest which several different sizes of plastic drill bits. Much cheaper than the aviation tool stores and of high quality. I've got a few sizes and have been impressed thus far.

miyu1975 · #9 10-27-2010, 10:34 AM

I bought the plexibits from averys....zero problems...and saved a few hundred over buying sika stuff.

dbgrosch · #10 10-27-2010, 11:08 AM

Buy your bits from Avery. He has quality tools. Be sure to have the Canopy very warm before you start drilling, I put a Ceramic
heater inside and brought the temperature up to about a 100 degrees and did not have any problems or cracks. The canopy temperature can not be too hot. If it is chilled you will have a good chance of cracks.