drilling a bath panel.

[monkey5]

im after some advice if anyone has done this.

basically customer have got some plinth lights to fit to a bath panel. now i dont ming fitting them but obviously need to be careful drilling as not to shatter/crack the panel.

the holes are 10mm and bath panel is plastic about 3/4mm thick. what would be the best thing to use. was thinking of a flat bit but could make mess. is there a type of drill bit for plastic in perticular?

cheer wayne

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 20:39 ---------- Previous post was made at 20:38 ----------

something like these i suppose but need 10mm

Bosch Multipurpose Drill Bit Set 4Pcs | Screwfix.com

 

[NozSpark]

I think I'd use a HSS drill or step drill if I was doing it,,

Thinking about it I'd more likely use a step drill

 

[steptoe]

a nice sharp 10mm bit,

clamp a piece of wood on both sides of the bath panel (use plenty of clamps!) along the whole length, make sure it is nice and square.

mark your holes on this and drill through.

 

[tom1]

i dont think i would use a spade bit either, i would think a 10 mm wood drill bit like this.

Draper Expert 87981 10 mm Wood Boring Bit

 

[monkey5]

DeWalt 10mm Extreme 2 HSS Drill Bit | Screwfix.com

something like this tom.

ive looked at the step drill noz, bit pricy aint they!

 

[st3v3]

I would use a step drill. I got a pack of 3 varying sizes for

 

[steptoe]

i would use a spade bit,

it will score the edge of the hole first,

minimising the chances of a crack splitting out,

 

[NozSpark]

Step drills aren't that pricey when you consider that you could get a couple of years out of one if you look after it

 

[monkey5]

ok noz i might treat my self then. was looking at screwfix for one as need it for tomorrow and a decent one bout

 

[NozSpark]

That's about twice what I paid for mine..

I have two a small one (up to 24mm IIRC) and a larger one from 20mm to something like 34mm

I mainly use my small one for drilling out PVC boxes for stuffing glands etc now, but I did use it to drill out galv trunking for conduit bushes when I first got it.

 

[monkey5]

ill have a shop round then mate. cheers

 

[sprocketflup]

I reckons Id be tempted to use a holesaw myself, with the panel flat on the floor on top of a suitable piece of timber to back it

 

[NozSpark]

I reckons Id be tempted to use a holesaw myself, with the panel flat on the floor on top of a suitable piece of timber to back it

What,,, for a 10mm hole:slap

 

[Apache]

Step drill, less than

 

[sprocketflup]

What,,, for a 10mm hole:slap

yessss......?? youve never seen a 10mm hole saw?

Irwin 10504162 Holesaw Bi-Metal High Speed 10L 16mm

lmao that links for a 16mm tho :slap

 

[kerching]

I get my step drills from ALDI!!!!! they don't have them in that often, but they are worth it. Mine get some serious grief and have never let me down yet.

I bought 4 sets and 3 are still in the unopened boxes!!!............. :coat

 

[monkey5]

Step drill, less than

 

[Apache]

yessss......?? youve never seen a 10mm hole saw?Irwin 10504162 Holesaw Bi-Metal High Speed 10L 16mm

lmao that links for a 16mm tho :slap

That's a 16mm. I have never seen a 10mm HSS hole saw, I know they make them in small sizes with diamond grit for cutting tiles, but they have no central arbour and would slide about.

 

[steptoe]

you could always drill a 10mm hole in my piece of wood first though.!

 

[monkey5]

bath panel is curved so will struggle to get wood clamped on. think the step drill or hss drill bit is wat i need.