Cutting ABS Plastic

[bigdave]

Just wanted to pass along a good tool I use to cut ABS plastic. Dremel sells a abrasive wheel that is about 15/16 DIA and about .025 thick. They are usually sold in packs of 20-25 I think. Always by them in the packs as they do not take side loads well and will shatter if pushed. You may go through a few. I use a small adjustable speed rotory tool. Yary the speed depending on the thickness of the plactic. I would not go much over .060-.080 thickness. Get the speed right and it will zip through the ABS with a nice clean controlable cut. I would experiment with scrap first. This beats the long process of going over and over with a sharp knife till it cuts through. I have used this on the Subtech and Dumas hulls with great results. You can not do complex curves but for long or slightly curved cuts it's easy.

[crazy ivan]

Dave old buddy, don't forget

Dave old buddy, don't forget the neat trick you taught me for punching out all those square limber holes in an ABS hull. Just take a short length of square K&S brass tubing of the appropriate size. Use an X-acto knife to trim the inside edges to a sharp chisel edge. Heat the end with a small butane torch until just more than slightly warm (don't burn your fingers ) and you can push it through to make a nice clean hole. Practice on a scrap piece of ABS first to get a feel for the right amount of heat. I used a length of 3/4 inch wood dowel to make a handle. It gives better control and protects the fingers nicely.

[bigdave]

Thanks Crazy, I had thought

Thanks Crazy, I had thought about that one also but you beat me to it. But with your natural flair for words explained it better that I would have. Don't forget you can also use that trick for scribing shapes into plastic. If you just heat the tool less and do not push through it will leave a nice imprint in the size you have chosen. Great for making hatches.