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Psychedelic_Zebra's avatar

Is it possible to drill out an acrylic item (see details)

Asked by Psychedelic_Zebra (5090points) November 10th, 2009

I just dropped my spider sword cane, and the acrylic handle broke off. I’d like to drill out the end and place a threaded sleeve in it so I could use it as a gear shift knob in my truck. I know of places online that offer acrylic shift knobs with imbedded spiders (and other creatures), but they want $50 or better for them. Since I have the knob already (with the coolest damn spider inside of it) I was wondering if someone with machinist experience knows if this is possible. There is plenty of room in the length of the knob for inserting a threaded sleeve, but I’d like to know if it is possible first.

I know acrylic is pretty brittle, but is there anyway to drill it without it shattering all over the place?

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4 Answers

OutOfTheBlue's avatar

Sure is, use a sharp bit and maybe instead of sleeving it, use a Tap…Also you may try using a rag to wrap it in and a vise to hold it, you should be able to do this by hand with out a machine or press, even though a press would be more ideal..

OutOfTheBlue (916points)“Great Answer” (3points) Flag as…
NewZen's avatar

Don’t you just love fluther!

NewZen (3502points)“Great Answer” (1points) Flag as…
warpling's avatar

Drill press and tap?

warpling (852points)“Great Answer” (1points) Flag as…
Psychedelic_Zebra's avatar

Thanks for all your helpful answers. I took the item described to a very good friend of mine, told him what I wanted, he did it just as I wanted, and delivered it to me at work tonight. Best part is, he didn’t charge me a dime, all I have to do is buy the supplies so my wife can make him a mongo batch of chocolate/peanut butter fudge.

Life is good.

Psychedelic_Zebra (5090points)“Great Answer” (0points) Flag as…

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