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Post by runningwolf on Mar 9, 2014 13:40:30 GMT
So I have an idea to cut one or more round holes on the cap of a spray paint can (any top actually.... the cooking spray might be a better size).... If the piece was flat it would make it more easy. Any idea on who to do this with limited resources? My Dremel bit the dust over the summer. I also don't think I want to go out and spend the money on a keyhole bit that I will only use once or twice.
A small hole would be fairly easy with a drill bit, but it is a bit too small for what I am thinking. I'm thinking about a few holes the side of a AA battery.
I'm thinking it would be a good idea for a ship's reactor core (but could also be used for say a forge or cast iron stove in a fantasy setting). Have a flame effect inside and a few "windows" on the plastic to look in and see the glowing goodness.
If I find a way, and the prototype unit looks cool I might add a resistor, LED, and small watch battery.
But the question remains how to make the hole? A round hole would be perfect. A few rectangular slots would be ok. One or two rectangular holes would be so-so.
Ack!!!! Why am I wanting to boot up LibreCAD to sketch this out?
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Post by adamantinedragon on Mar 9, 2014 16:40:40 GMT
I had to cut round holes in some sturdy steel plating once. I drew the circle I wanted and then drilled a bunch of little holes using a steel cutting drill bit. I drilled them as close together as I could, then I used a carbide-tipped chisel to cut out the steel between the holes, and finally used a file to smooth out the circle. It was a lot of effort, but the end result looked great.
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Post by earlteagrey on Mar 9, 2014 18:36:25 GMT
What about melting?
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Post by runningwolf on Mar 9, 2014 18:49:05 GMT
I was thinking of both options, and letting it simmer in my twisted little mind till I felt I could do it tight.
Adamantinedragon - I'm wondering how scuffed up the plastic would be from using the drill like that and sanding it down a bit. Might be enough so that the primer would smooth it out.
Earlteagrey - Funny I was thinking that while in the shower looking at an almost empty shampoo bottle. I have a gas stove and a few different sized nails. Hold the nail with a pair of pliers or use a beat up thin screwdriver.
I still haven't made all the tiles I want, and detailed some of them the way I want.... but already thinking about scenery. I also keep forgetting my dad does model rail road stuff (that super tiny N gauge stuff). He's been making the signal lights with tiny LEDS.... Which has got me thinking about trying to incorporating some lighting special effects.... The inside of the reactor (which is what I want to cut into the spray paint lid for). Also want to see how well the clear section of a cellophane bag of pretzel bag will hold paint. Would provide a really neat effect for a fire or "radioactive" pile.
I am thinking way too far ahead of my skill level though.... But at the same time will give me a goal to reach and a nice set of experiments to prototype. Mistakes and horrible failures are only bad if you go away and quit. Otherwise they are a valuable chance to expand and learn better skills.
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valas
Room Planner
I'm being twisted, on the sideway down.
Posts: 459
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Post by valas on Mar 9, 2014 19:14:20 GMT
Drill press and a foster bit is how I would do it. Alternatively, they are some hole punches out there that you can buy relatively cheap from places like Harbor Freight.
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Post by adamantinedragon on Mar 9, 2014 19:58:20 GMT
I'd be careful about melting holes. Many plastics can generate toxic gases when they are melted.
The drill a bunch of little holes approach would be a lot easier in plastic than it was in plate steel. I'd think in ten minutes you'd have a nice, round, symmetrical hole.
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Post by runningwolf on Mar 9, 2014 20:58:20 GMT
I'd be doing it with the stove exhaust fan running and would use it more like a smoothing technique. Less concerned about the toxic smoke than having a hot glob of plastic melting onto my skin and not coming off. Melted plastic tends to make a bacon grease burn seem like a tickle
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odinist
Paint Manipulator
Posts: 105
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Post by odinist on Mar 12, 2014 21:16:02 GMT
A small hole would be fairly easy with a drill bit, but it is a bit too small for what I am thinking. I'm thinking about a few holes the side of a AA battery. How about spade bits?
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Post by runningwolf on Mar 13, 2014 0:43:31 GMT
I have been brain farting the past few days.... I'm too used to the ones that look like the tubular saws They are way cheaper and do the trick better. I'm too young for Alzheimer's but been going around for Halfheimers for the past week or so. Hopefully get some work done tomorrow.... the one batch of red paint I got sucks worse than the vacuum at the car wash.
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