Making Holes in Plastic Enclosures

[Dixie Ann Mahaffie]

I have tried using a soldering iron and the plastic gets burned around the edges of the holes. I have also use a drill and it creates sharp edges that I am afraid will cut the Ts. I bought a large quantity of really nice see through plastic boxes and tall plastic enclosures for arboreals from the container store. Now I just have to figure out the easiest way to make the holes.

I have thought about ordering some those vent things, but I am not sure how to make the big holes to put the vents in.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Dixie

 

[Enn49]

I use a needle heated in a flame.

 

[Canadian Tarantula]

You can buy a cheap unit that's made to burn designs into wood, typically found for around $15 at craft stores.

 

[Dixie Ann Mahaffie]

Is that different than a soldering iron I wonder? A wood burning tool?

 

[spidey noob]

the plastic will look burnt around the hole edges as u are burning them
i use a stantly knife to trim the burnt bits off. (works well)

 

[papercut2008uk]

you could try a belt hole punch (if the plastic is soft enough to punch through), no burn and clean cut, they usually sell real cheap online and can make different sized holes.

 

[Dixie Ann Mahaffie]

I have one of those, but it's not long enough to go in as deep as needed on the bottle and I don't think it will go over the lip of the bottle either.

 

[Thivo]

I used a smaller drill bit to make a hole on a CD Case Enclosures that I made and it looks fine... I slightly rub each hole to check if it is sharp and also to remove some remaining plastic...

 

[Therasoid]

I use my Dremel with triple fluted bits. Very rare instances does it leave sharp edges that need smoothed out. I don't care for the odor of melting plastic.

 

[Tongue Flicker]

^ +1 i use dremel too

 

[Tongue Flicker]

^ +1 i use dremel too