Putting holes in plastic trim

TexasBlaZeR2 · Post by **TexasBlaZeR2** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:49 am

I need to add a hole of almost one inch in size to the trim panel I received from GM Parts direct. The plastic is about 1/16" thick and I do not want to mess it up. Who has experience doing this. What is the best way to go about cutting out the hole?

gocntry · Post by **gocntry** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:57 am

Maybe A Hole Saw Would Be Your Best Bet?

TexasBlaZeR2 · Post by **TexasBlaZeR2** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:58 am

Do they have those at Sears?

SONOMA915 · Post by **SONOMA915** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:46 am

I have had lots of success with uni bits. I am not sure if they sell one that goes up to an inch. You could start off with a small hole and work your way up to an inch. Just make sure you hold on to your drill and the part you are drilling.

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:52 am

Keep the hole saws cool when drilling metal or thick plastics. I squirt bottle with water helps, but requires three hands.
For metal you can wet a paper towel and stuff it inside the hole saw.
Your saws will last longer

Post by **Walt** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:01 am

HenryJ wrote:Keep the hole saws cool when drilling metal or thick plastics. I squirt bottle with water helps, but requires three hands.
For metal you can wet a paper towel and stuff it inside the hole saw.
Your saws will last longer

Good advice. You can also turn the hole saw in reverse (actually put the drill in reverse). Sometimes this can give you a cleaner cut on soft surfaces.

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:39 am

I bought a big unibit at a specialty tool warehouse - was not cheap, but it's a great tool to own.

Not sure how big mine is -- I think it goes up to 3/4" - I used it in my bodylift if I remember correctly.

You need Irwin Unibit part # 10220 - it starts at 1/2" and goes up to 1"

Unibit Link

TexasBlaZeR2 · Post by **TexasBlaZeR2** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 5:47 pm

Here is what I bought today. The hole was miked at 7/8". I got a bit that looks like a wood bit, but has threads on the center part. It was only 4 bucks at Sears.

I think this should do the trick. What do you guys think?

drill bit for aux hole

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 6:17 pm

I personally wouldn't use that on plastic. I have cut automotive grade plastic for custom radio installs before and used a hole saw like gocntry suggested above with good luck. You don't need to buy a whole set if you don't want to ,your local hardware store should sell just the mandril and bit separately but you will pay more that way than if you get the kit and once you have it you will wonder how you got along without it.
When cutting I backed the plastic with a wood block so it couldn't deform and used slow speed on drill so the plastic wouldn't melt or burn.

kauaibuilt47 · Post by **kauaibuilt47** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 4:49 pm

Probably not the best way to do it but....

i used my dremel with the sandpaper barrel on my crotchrockets side fairings. it melted the plastic rather than cut but it went perfectly. looks/feels smooth and stock and i could form it exactly the way i needed to.

again, probably not the best method but it worked.