Bins

[Kera]

How do you go about putting holes into plastic tubs? Just need to know for the JCP, I've been trying everything to get the heat up in the glass tank but it's not working, and I'd rather use a bin anyway. Thanks!

[Sharlynn93]

I used a drill, but I know a lot of people use a soldering iron...

[Mikoh4792]

I use a power drill. Hole size doesn't really matter but I usually go with 1/8" holes or something similar.

I've tried a soldering iron and the plastic got stuck on the iron...making it smoke and fume around the house.

[Kera]

Awesome, thanks. Easy enough :) How many should there be? Just experiment?

[Mikoh4792]

Awesome, thanks. Easy enough :) How many should there be? Just experiment?

Yeah I'd just slowly work my way up on the number of holes. I've never done a stand a lone bin, just tubs in rack systems. Right now I have two holes for the winter. For the summer I put in 30.(I have two sets of tubs)

[Kera]

Yeah I'd just slowly work my way up on the number of holes. I've never done a stand a lone bin, just tubs in rack systems. Right now I have two holes for the winter. For the summer I put in 30.(I have two sets of tubs)

Thanks! I'll do that tonight.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I used a soldering gun for mine. Wasn't the prettiest job, though. I tried a drill, but ended up breaking the plastic....I guess it depends on the plastic, and how hard you apply pressure.

[LadyWraith]

A drill is my preferred method. In order to keep the plastic from cracking, you start off using a small bit then step by step use larger bits until you've achieved the preferred sized holes.

[knox]

Soldering iron for me as well. If I can't do it outside, I will do it on my stove and turn the exhaust fan on. Suck the fumes right out.

[smy_749]

I love my soldering iron. The tip is the perfect size for the holes I use, and once its heated up, I just poke it in and out like butter haha, no twisty pieces of plastic to try and pry off after either, only smooth melted edges

[guyabano]

I use the soldering iron method as well. The key to penetrating the surface nice and cleanly is to make sure the tip is warmed up fully.

Don't worry about the fumes, they're GREEEAAAAT. :)

[formica]

burning plastic is HIGHLY toxic and carcinogenic.


To drill plastic, use medium pressure, and if possible, a slow drill speed combined with a drill bit designed for metal - slow and steady is the key

[knox]

burning plastic is HIGHLY toxic and carcinogenic.


To drill plastic, use medium pressure, and if possible, a slow drill speed combined with a drill bit designed for metal - slow and steady is the key

Which is why it should be done outdoors or under an exhaust fan.

[formica]

Which is why it should be done outdoors or under an exhaust fan.

plastic remains on the soldering iron, and continues to give off fumes every time it is subsequently used.

It is not a safe thing to be recommending to people.


some plastics also release HCL, which converts to Hydrochloric Acid on contact with water in the air, which will damage anything organic or metal that it comes into contact with

[knox]

plastic remains on the soldering iron, and continues to give off fumes every time it is subsequently used.

It is not a safe thing to be recommending to people.


some plastics also release HCL, which converts to Hydrochloric Acid on contact with water in the air, which will damage anything organic or metal that it comes into contact with

I respect your opinion and will not argue with anyone. But to say it's "not safe to recommend to people" is a bit of an overstretch. It's obvious that melting the holes in the plastic is the preferred method for many, many people. If you are in a well ventilated area, it's a safe practice.

You prefer drilling. We prefer melting. Neither is wrong.

I used to drill, until I cracked a tub. I have never cracked a tub with a soldering iron.

[formica]

if you tell people the facts, along with your opinion, then it is upto them to make their minds up, having been well informed, but telling people to blindly follow the advice and that it is safe, is massively irresponsible.

the facts, are that burning plastic = toxic and carcinogenic chemicals being released and potentially inhaled, regardless of ventilation, and Hydrochloric Acid can do significant damage to any ventilation system or equipment being used, or the persons eyes, mouth and lungs.

[kwhitlock]

if you tell people the facts, along with your opinion, then it is upto them to make their minds up, having been well informed, but telling people to blindly follow the advice and that it is safe, is massively irresponsible.

the facts, are that burning plastic = toxic and carcinogenic chemicals being released and potentially inhaled, regardless of ventilation, and Hydrochloric Acid can do significant damage to any ventilation system or equipment being used, or the persons eyes, mouth and lungs.

Standing behind a car exhaust is deadly too. Should that mean I should avoid my cars too?

If your in a well ventilated area, IE outside, there isnt a problem.

[formica]

Standing behind a car exhaust is deadly too. Should that mean I should avoid my cars too?

If your in a well ventilated area, IE outside, there isnt a problem.

Yes! actually given the way governments bang on about Cigerette smoke, I'm amazed that Cars are even legal, or arnt forced to have a 200m exclusion zone around them and big health warnings plastered on the sides

o wait...they make lots of money in taxes dont they.... ;)

sometimes bad things make to much money for anyone to realistically complain about it


being serious however, no, this makes no sense, drills are designed for making holes, soldering irons are not, there is no comparison between using a car, which is designed to do what it does, and using a tool to do something it is not designed to do....simply because it requires slightly less effort and thought

[Kera]

Well...I don't trust myself using anything hot anyway. For now, a drill it is.

[kwhitlock]

Yes! actually given the way governments bang on about Cigerette smoke, I'm amazed that Cars are even legal, or arnt forced to have a 200m exclusion zone around them and big health warnings plastered on the sides

o wait...they make lots of money in taxes dont they.... ;)

sometimes bad things make to much money for anyone to realistically complain about it


being serious however, no, this makes no sense, drills are designed for making holes, soldering irons are not, there is no comparison between using a car, which is designed to do what it does, and using a tool to do something it is not designed to do....simply because it requires slightly less effort and thought

In the uk they do. You guys have a tax for just opening the door and turning the car on. ;)

I work in a CNC shop, thing I've learned most from working there. Even if the tool isn't designed for it, if it gets the job done, and does it well, it's good.

[kelzerman]

In the uk they do. You guys have a tax for just opening the door and turning the car on. ;)

I work in a CNC shop, thing I've learned most from working there. Even if the tool isn't designed for it, if it gets the job done, and does it well, it's good.

While there is some truth to that some tools will not get the job done. Like you can not use a compression bit or down cutter with acrylic on a nested base machine because you will get a nasty re-weld. I also use to work in the shop running a cnc. But this has no relevance to the topic being debated.

So yes a soldering iron will get the job done in this case. But so will drilling. So who cares. Formica just simply stated a fact that holds truth. Doesn't need to turn into a pissing match.

[kwhitlock]

While there is some truth to that some tools will not get the job done. Like you can not use a compression bit or down cutter with acrylic on a nested base machine because you will get a nasty re-weld. I also use to work in the shop running a cnc. But this has no relevance to the topic being debated.

So yes a soldering iron will get the job done in this case. But so will drilling. So who cares. Formica just simply stated a fact that holds truth. Doesn't need to turn into a pissing match.

My original comment was more of smart remark than starting a huge debate over a hole.

Never worked with acrylic on a CNC before, shop I work at typically just works with alum, steel, bronze and some plastics and nylon.

[kelzerman]

My original comment was more of smart remark than starting a huge debate over a hole.

Never worked with acrylic on a CNC before, shop I work at typically just works with alum, steel, bronze and some plastics and nylon.


May I ask where you work since your in Michigan?

[kwhitlock]

May I ask where you work since your in Michigan?

Sure, I work at a smaller size shop called Scott Machine. We make aerospace parts for the most part, some automotive comes through occasionlly.

St Clair, isn't that in the UP?

[kelzerman]

St. Clair shores is on the east coast. By Roseville, Detroit, and east pointe.

Nice! You guys hiring anyone in engineering? Lol jk. I work for a company called Palmer retail solutions. I do engineering and cnc programming. We do pretty much everything. No aerospace parts though.... :(