[Dad's RV-10]

My RV-7 slider canopy is cracked. I'm not a builder and have never drilled Plexiglass. Almost all of the videos I've watched suggest clamping the Plexi to a piece of wood. This assumes the Plexi is flat and you're working on a bench, which obviously is not the case with the canopy.

I've ordered a 1/8" drill bit for acrylic from Spruce. I'd appreciate any tips on how to drill the holes without making things worse, so I can fly the plane until the canopy can be repaired.

Thanks.

 

[cfiidon]

Slow

Purchasing the plexiglass bit is the best thing to do so far. Start at a position so that the radius of the hole is ever so slightly beyond the crack. This allows the crack to propagate into the hole and stop.

Go slow, light pressure, the plexiglass is not very thick. Debur the edges.

 

[Mike S]

Debur the edges.

Use caution here, typical deburring bit can grab soft materials.

I like a Dremmel grinding stone of either conical or round shape and twist it by hand when doing Plexi.

Fine sandpaper is also good.