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plexiglass, cutting, tapping threads?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=86743
Printed Date: April 19, 2024 at 9:19 PM


Topic: plexiglass, cutting, tapping threads?

Posted By: Alpine Guy
Subject: plexiglass, cutting, tapping threads?
Date Posted: December 06, 2006 at 5:39 PM

Can you tap threads into plexi glass?

And how many tooth saw blade should i use in my table saw to cut the plexi???

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.



Replies:

Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 10:26 AM

I typed in tap thread plexiglass on google and this link came up with this information,     The steel tap will be corroded but not the part. Due to stretching, nylon, plexiglass & teflon typically end up with very tight threads when tapped. ...
If you go to the website you have to sign up to read there stuff but it looks like you can tap the plexi I would think so its hard enough to be threaded and pretty much hold it as long as your careful not to overtighten.
This link has some info on cutting it https://www.homeownerschat.com/227280-Cutting-Plexiglass.htm



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Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!




Posted By: Custom_Jim
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 11:00 AM

Alpine Guy wrote:

Can you tap threads into plexi glass?

And how many tooth saw blade should i use in my table saw to cut the plexi???

Yes you can. Use the proper sized bit for the tap and then thread the tap in some, back it all the way out and clean off the tap and then rethread it in, cut  another two or three threads, take it out, clean and repeat. Taps also come in bottoming style and one thing I've learned is to use this style last to get the bottom tapped and threaded. These are not meant (or are harder to start) than the starting taps.

Also, make sure you drill the pilot hole deep enough because once you start threading the hole you cannot make the hole deeper without messing up the threads you've already created.

I did a windshiled on an old Henry J race car and I used 1/4" NC bolts threaded into 1/2" plexiglass and it's been holding up just fine.

When I cut plexiglass or Lexan I try and get 1.5 to 2 teeth hitting the edge I'm cutting. Too many teeth and it melts together on the backside of the cut, to few and it chips. Alwyas try your setup on some scrap.

Jim



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1968 Chevy II Nova Garage Find 2012
1973 Nova Custom
1974 Spirit of America Nova
1973 Nova Pro-Street




Posted By: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 12:22 PM
Wow thanks guys, I searched this stuff too and didn't find anything, thats why i come here i guess :)

I guess a 120 tooth 10" saw blade would suffice?

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.




Posted By: Custom_Jim
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 1:37 PM

I know when I was getting glass cut from Cope Platics here in Saint Louis, they had a blade on a table saw but I couldn't tell if it was special or what. It might have to do with the tooth count or how the cutting tips are set up.

Jim



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1968 Chevy II Nova Garage Find 2012
1973 Nova Custom
1974 Spirit of America Nova
1973 Nova Pro-Street




Posted By: maliboom
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 6:49 PM
100 tooth 10" blade is what I use and there's no problems with melting untill 1/2 inch thick plexi. Also I found that puting 2 layers of masking tape on the plexi will help stop the chipping while its being cut.  Threading is just as easy as Custom-Jim wrote, if you follow those instructions tapping will be easy.




Posted By: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 8:20 PM
perfect :) I'll pick up a tap and saw blade tomorrow, i'll post pic's of my little project for school. Im building a linear DC power supply out of plexi glass everything made from hand right down to the printed circut board :) Dam i love electronics lol

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.




Posted By: Custom_Jim
Date Posted: December 09, 2006 at 8:54 PM

Here's some shots of a windshield I put together on an old Henry J race car:

https://rides.webshots.com/photo/2736523590049730488raHeeb

https://rides.webshots.com/photo/2113299880049730488ltQwhl

I took my time with trying a test panel first so I could get the original hole drilled down just enough with thread almost to the bottom so it looked the best.

Jim



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1968 Chevy II Nova Garage Find 2012
1973 Nova Custom
1974 Spirit of America Nova
1973 Nova Pro-Street





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