I’m building an oil bunker for my tender, and trying out a technique that is apparently quite common but one that I’ve never used before. Namely, inserting small brads to represent rivets.
Trouble is, even at the slowest speed, my Dremel melts the plastic, which ends up making the holes much wider than the drillbit. I can put the bit in a pin vise and that works fine but is way, way, too slow!
So how do you drill a bazillion tiny holes in styrene without melting the plastic or going crazy?
Ray,
I use a 1/2" chuck 18 volt cordless drill to drill my rivet holes. The Dremel is perfect for cutting plastic, but I do not use it for drilling.
Ray, try using the Dremel on the highest speed, so the cutting is done before the plastic can heat up.
I use one of these for drilling plastic. Quick easy and controllable.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/lastmanout/_forumfiles/Hand%20Drill.jpg)
Hand drills are great. I used to have one…need to pick up another.
Ralph
I’m working on a small tender as well…I pressed mine in from the rear…I was shocked at how well it works and looks.
cale
A few years ago, Bart talked me into getting some of the Microlux tools from Micro-Mart. I got the mini belt-sander, scroll saw, and drill, along with a transformer.
(http://www.micromark.com/RS/SR/Product/82822_R.jpg)
These can go nice and slow and I no longer melt plastic when I’m drilling. I find it much easier to use than my old pin vise. I don’t know the smallest bit it will hold; I just used it with a #70 and had no problems. These have become the most used tools in my workshop and I am pleased each time I use them.
Hey Bruce, nice manicured nails!
cale
Ray, Sounds like you have the drilling covered. I like HO track nails for rivets. They have a nice round head and are cheap. They cut down easily with Xuron nippers though that can get tedious too. I usually use my pin vise but I have never done many as what you’re planning. I have HO nail rivets on my rail truck (cab and hinges) -
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/altterrain/7-8n2%20projects/RTconstr10.jpg)
-Brian
Nice rail truck, Brian.
Ralph
Thanks for the suggestions! I found that my regular Black & Decker drill goes slow enough to do the job. I just have to be very careful to keep it straight, as it’s easy to snap off such a thin drillbit.
A drill press sure would be handy.
