A hot nail or drill bit cuts through plastic easily. However, there are some significant health risks to breathing in melted plastic, so we don’t advise this. If you’d like to cut through very large sections of plastic, you can do so by drilling small holes throughout its surface. Once, the patch is in place you can use a hot metal spoon or trowel to smooth out the edges. You can also drill small holes to make the plastic easier to cut through, or slice through thick plastic with a piece of string. Avoid this by cutting through heavy-duty plastic with a non-melt blade, which will not heat up enough to melt the plastic material. % of people told us that this article helped them. Last Updated: January 28, 2020 Some of these fine-toothed saws look like a knife or straight-razor and can easily be used with one hand. Wipe the tip on the damp towel to keep it clean. Or use a serrated knife and carefully use it … The holes are smooth, no little bits and pieces sticking out like you end up with drilled or cut holes. Step 2 - Put Screen in Place. Use the heated tip to cut the plastic box. You can clean up the edge with a file or sandpaper after you have made your cuts. By using proper technique one can make surprisingly complex things from wood or plastic. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The metal does not need to be red hot, just hot enough to melt the plastic. When using a table saw, keep your hands and fingers clear of the blade, or you could be seriously injured. While all saws will be able to cut through plastic, saws with large teeth will leave the plastic torn or shredded. That way the slot will be going in the correct direction. The important thing is to use a fine-toothed blade. Start by clamping it to a workbench or holding it firmly so it doesn’t move. For example, I always need a hole for the USB power plug. If you buy something through a link in our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. They went in a lot easier than I thought they would. This get’s pretty hot, so you’ll need gloves. I used a short hacksaw blade in a plastic handle, got it at local home improvement store. References. The pics of the finished project are kind of dark. Here are four ways you can cut plastic without cracking or breaking it. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. My plastic is 0.3 mm thick. If you do not have a drill, use a hole punch, sharp nail or penknife point to drill the hole by wiggling the point back and forth on one side until you can see the point of the instrument just break through the surface on the opposite side. however this time around i'd love it if i could use the nice plastic lid that came with it and just stick a bung/carboy in it. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Depending on the type of plastic you need to cut through, use a fine-toothed saw, a hacksaw, or a non-melting table saw blade. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/18346/what-is-a-good-way-to-cut-hard-plastic-so-it-will-have-a-smooth-finish, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-plastic/, https://www.toolstoday.com/saw-blades/non-melt-plastic-cutting-saw-blades.html, http://fantasygames.com.pl/how-to-cut-thick-plastic-easily/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FguIgnWNrew&feature=youtu.be&t=7m53s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FguIgnWNrew&feature=youtu.be&t=8m10s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FguIgnWNrew&feature=youtu.be&t=8m42s, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I used a small bit and used a slow speed to drill a total of 72 holes. Stop drilling on that side and work from the opposite side to make a neat hole without shattering the plastic. I just drilled three containers made of hard brittle plastic recently. Completely redone from the inside out, and restored to its original form, the home is a featured design by renowned Southern California Architect Cliff May, considered to be the father of the California Ranch Home. Clamp the pieces together and find the middle of the circle on the top piece of wood and drill your hole through the wood .I hope this helps. 5,834 plastic lids with hole products are offered for sale by suppliers on Alibaba.com, of which lids, bottle caps, closures accounts for 4%, wine stoppers accounts for 1%. I googled it and read that I should use spur point bits but I also saw plas-drill bits. Utility knives are also often called hobby knives. By using our site, you agree to our. The original question was about a square (or rectangular) hole in a plastic BOX. You can use a hacksaw, hand jigsaw, or fine-toothed saw. If you have trouble, try drilling small holes along the line you want to cut to weaken the plastic first. the bottle is PET, the lid seems to be labeled "PP", which is polypropylene? Then slide your grommet in. > I'm trying to find a way to cut neat rectangular holes in small plastic box > lids for mounting LCD displays for hobby work. Now, these things are usually quite small and often the hole is required in the side wall, not in the removable lid. This method could even work when cutting heavy PVC pipe. Draw the area that you want to cut on the container with a dry-erase marker, and measure it to be sure that it is the correct size or shape you want to cut. Keep the holes as close to each other as possible. A selection of fine-toothed saws may be available for purchase at hobby stores, since they’re commonly used to cut plastic models and die-cast figurines. It is wise to make small center hole first before drilling larger hole. Copyright 2021 by SawsHub.com - Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact. You can sand/file the slit square with a nail file or emery board. Most beginner woodworkers have a jigsaw on hand. Then go to the opposite side of your first cut, and do that side. How to Cut a Plastic Box Container Without Breaking It, How to Cut a Plastic Box Without It Breaking. If you are using a plastic barrel for this process, you should be able to use the lid for this job. Cut by hand with a coping saw. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Gravity will allow the part to fall after piercing with maybe a little help from an air blast, allowing the next part to be fed into position. Use the small drill bit to drill 6–10 holes in the section of plastic you’re trying to cut through or remove. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If your jar is square, make sure you screw the lid on beforeyou mark it. You can use a Dremel tool to cut plastic​ as well. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Hole saw for thick plastic , and I use a steel can lid and edge removed like baked beans come in etc ,I then heat the sharpe edge with a blow torch and melt it through the thin plastic for a perfect hole.. cheaper than a good hole saw . Heat it with a heat gun, lighter, or candle. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. SawsHub is a collection of DIY enthusiasts and woodworking experts. I learned the hard way that regular twist drill bits tear up plastic. The plastic is too thick and hard to effectively cut with an xacto knife. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. No cracks, no melted plastic and perfect smooth tiny holes. 2. Best Way to Cut Square or Rectangular Holes in Plastic Project Boxes or Enclosures January 24, 2019 February 17, 2016 by mazzblog I’m going to “cut” right to the chase and tell you what the best 2 ways are to cut square or rectangular holes in a plastic project box or enclosure. But EASIEST was making the drainage holes with a solder gun. This is a great method because it leaves a clean-cut and is quick and easy. This … Small holes are just drilled, larer holes are drilled and reamed. For more tips, including how to slice through plastic with a piece of string, read on! It only took maybe 30 minutes or so. Mix one part white vinegar to one part water. Non-melt table saw blades should be available for purchase at a nearby hardware store. Take the extra soldering tip and flatten it with a hammer or mallet. I just marked the cut-line and used a boxcutter with a sharp blade. These blades will have evenly-spaced teeth which are set close together. wikiHow's. Another possible tool is to use is an unwanted steak knife. A wide variety of plastic lids with hole options are available to you, such as bottles, jars, and cups. Seems to be the main debate is whether or not it cuts "at all." Make a wire loop the size of the hole needed, or a small piece of copper pipe the correct size, heat the pipe and push it through the plastic. If you don’t have a soldering iron, then you might want to consider the next option. What Size Air Compressor Do I Need for an Impact Wrench? Depending on the size and shape of the plastic, you could also use a C-clamp to hold it to a worktable. The plastic in the middle portion isn't as thick as on the edges. Jigsaws are great because they are highly versatile, provided you have the right blade for the material. hi, i have a nice carboy that i've used before with an improvised plastic bag cover. Punch and die installed in in a die set. This is risky though, since if you exert too much pressure with the clamp, the plastic could break. But, with these five different methods, you’ll have your choice of options, depending on what type of tools you have. Each makes it possible to cut through plastic bins and containers without chipping or breaking them. This is a slow, painstaking process. I wouldn't use regular drill bits for any holes larger than about 1/4" (0.6cm) since they can bite into the plastic and crack it. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Never cut towards yourself. Three seconds for each hole did it! ... or tin snips like xraycer suggested. Use an incline type press. big butcher knife thick gloves. It cuts ok. Home » How to Cut » How to Cut a Plastic Box Container Without Breaking It. You will need to use a plastic-cutting blade, which is a blade with fine teeth. The holes are smooth, no little bits and pieces sticking out like you end up with drilled or cut holes. Learning how to cut through plastic isn’t hard, and there are several ways to cut your plastic box without breaking it. Use an incline type press. Three seconds for each hole did it! Take 2 pieces of wood just slightly larger than the lid ,on 1piece draw around the lid . An expert at home repair, remodel, and DIY projects for nearly 40 years. Use a drill or heated drill bit to make a pilot hole for the cutting blade. This can be easy or difficult during emergency as you'll have less reaction time if your gloves get caught in the moving parts. I just marked the cut-line and used a boxcutter with a sharp blade. This will help keep mosquitoes and other things out of the standing water. Very easy. Then, use a fine-toothed saw to make the cut. If you decide to use a jigsaw or hacksaw to cut your plastic box, you can use a heated drill bit or nail to make a series of holes along your cut line. Step 3 Rinse out the inside of the plastic garbage can using a garden hose. It does for regular Use a utility knife to cut several 3 inch holes in it. I've also managed to cut very large holes with a utility knife, and it was the fastest method for cutting non-round holes … The trick to using a utility knife/boxcutter is to stick the blade all the way through to the handle, then hold it so the blade is at as extreme an angle relative to the plastic as possible. Metal cutting hole drill bit bi 5 cutting 16pcs hole saw drill bit kit how to drill plastic expert on of drill bits do you need for plastic How To Cut A Plastic Box Or Bin Without Breaking It SawshubHow To Cut A Plastic Box Or Bin Without Breaking It Sawshub3 Ways To Cut Thick […] Avoid wearing loose clothing when cutting with a table saw, and wear protective glasses or goggles. Any toothed blade will cut through plastic. Using a heat source (preferably a heat gun), soften the edges of the hole and the section of plastic you’ll be using as a patch and carefully place it to ensure the hole is completely covered. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Drill holes in a plastic bucket. Mark your lid where you want to make your money slot. Make these holes as close to one another as possible. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Cutting through thick plastic with thread —for example, when customizing an RC car or working with hobby models and miniatures—is effective, but can take hours. It is an easy way to make a clean cut without breaking or cracking the plastic box. I don't have a table saw, jigsaw or a non-melt saw blade. Now Dennis spends his time on fine woodworking projects and tool comparisons. The plastic in the middle portion isn't as thick as on the edges. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. The hot knife method works by melting the plastic along the cut line. I used some small wire scissors to clean up the edges a bit. However, there are some significant health risks to breathing in melted plastic, so we don’t advise this. So, saws that hold the blade at both ends are out. It does have a little bit of a learning curve, but not much. The process will be painstaking and time consuming, but it will allow you to cut precisely. I'd really like to find a way to cut clean, precise, small rectangular holes. You’ll find a drill bit at the centre of each hole saw. Take safety precautions whenever you use a saw or knife. Learn about the team! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Cut-Thick-Plastic-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Thick-Plastic-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Cut-Thick-Plastic-Step-1.jpg\/aid9544460-v4-728px-Cut-Thick-Plastic-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"