Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson | mens |
| Analog Innovations | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| San Tan Valley, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On 9/18/2014 2:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

I think "tear" and/or deform are more likely.

Note that you can find wall plates for damn near any sort of
connector -- even things like DB25's!

OTOH, if you want it to be "pale chartreuse" you may be
SOL.

They're cheap (nylon ones). Try it and see (if your punches
are nice and sharp/clean). Just take it slow so the punch
can *ease* through the "plastic" instead of having to force it
aside.

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

"Jim Thompson" wrote in
message ...
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson | mens |
| Analog Innovations | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| San Tan Valley, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

Can you heat it up till it softens?

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

In article , To-Email-Use-
says...

I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

...Jim Thompson

I would be causes about that. If the nylon is fresh you'll be
able to do that because it should be soft however, nylon gets
brittle over time..

For the cleanest holes in town in a plate cover, use the
two mounting hole screws to mount against a block of wood and
use a hole saw, the size you need, preferably in a drill
press.

applying pressure to the plate out of context will most
likely crack it, because it is most likely kind of
hard by now.

Jamie

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On 9/18/2014 4:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

...Jim Thompson


Second resort, soldering iron, exacto and a round/square file.

Mikek

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

It is hard to beat a sharp drill. I suppose you want a larger hole
than you have a drill for?

--

Rick

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On Thu, 18 Sep 2014 19:54:24 -0400, rickman wrote:

On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

It is hard to beat a sharp drill. I suppose you want a larger hole
than you have a drill for?

I have a nice hand reamer that can get me up to ~1/2", but I need 3/4"
this time. I may just have to hand file my way :-(

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson | mens |
| Analog Innovations | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| San Tan Valley, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

...Jim Thompson
Most nylons are flexible and are very amenable to being drilled or
punched; slightly compressible.

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On 9/18/2014 7:59 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
On Thu, 18 Sep 2014 19:54:24 -0400, rickman wrote:

On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

It is hard to beat a sharp drill. I suppose you want a larger hole
than you have a drill for?

I have a nice hand reamer that can get me up to ~1/2", but I need 3/4"
this time. I may just have to hand file my way :-(

I don't get it. 3/4 inch should be a flat bit. I've had one forever
and it's not like I have tons of tools. They are what, $2? They cut
pretty clean holes, especially when new and still sharp. They have a
blade on the edges that cut like a hole saw. If the plastic is not too
thick the bulk of the blade won't even be used. I'm not sure if it
would be best to cut from the nice side down or the ugly side up... I
suppose you could do a bit of both and meet in the middle to minimize
the chance of splitting out. Certainly use a backing block no matter what.

--

Rick

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On 9/18/2014 9:45 PM, rickman wrote:
On 9/18/2014 7:59 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
On Thu, 18 Sep 2014 19:54:24 -0400, rickman wrote:

On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

It is hard to beat a sharp drill. I suppose you want a larger hole
than you have a drill for?

I have a nice hand reamer that can get me up to ~1/2", but I need 3/4"
this time. I may just have to hand file my way :-(

I don't get it. 3/4 inch should be a flat bit. I've had one forever
and it's not like I have tons of tools. They are what, $2? They cut
pretty clean holes, especially when new and still sharp. They have a
blade on the edges that cut like a hole saw. If the plastic is not too
thick the bulk of the blade won't even be used. I'm not sure if it
would be best to cut from the nice side down or the ugly side up... I
suppose you could do a bit of both and meet in the middle to minimize
the chance of splitting out. Certainly use a backing block no matter what.

The problem with most drills will be one of heating. The nylon/plastic
wants to flow (or chip -- e.g., the pilot) instead of being cut cleanly.

I'd be tempted to try a brace with a 3/4 bit -- primarily because
of the GREATLY reduced (:) RPM's. If you're only doing one (or
a dozen), there's very little time to be saved with a faster drill
(esp if there is substantial rework/cleanup required).

I had to make some "recessed RJ45" wall plates (i.e., so I could
plug an umbilicus into the wall plate and hide the service loop
*in* that recess). I chose a Dremel *expecting* to remove a lot
of material (I married two different wall plates to get the
result I wanted).

But, it was a real problem keeping the material from "being
semi-liquid" (which would have been unsightly to clean up had my
operations been on the exposed side of the plate)

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On 19/09/14 14:45, rickman wrote:
On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".
I don't get it. 3/4 inch should be a flat bit.

That won't work in thin plastic, especially if it's soft. Once it breaks
through at one point, it basically tears the rest apart.

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On 9/19/2014 1:02 AM, Don Y wrote:
On 9/18/2014 9:45 PM, rickman wrote:
On 9/18/2014 7:59 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
On Thu, 18 Sep 2014 19:54:24 -0400, rickman wrote:

On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

It is hard to beat a sharp drill. I suppose you want a larger hole
than you have a drill for?

I have a nice hand reamer that can get me up to ~1/2", but I need 3/4"
this time. I may just have to hand file my way :-(

I don't get it. 3/4 inch should be a flat bit. I've had one forever
and it's not like I have tons of tools. They are what, $2? They cut
pretty clean holes, especially when new and still sharp. They have a
blade on the edges that cut like a hole saw. If the plastic is not too
thick the bulk of the blade won't even be used. I'm not sure if it
would be best to cut from the nice side down or the ugly side up... I
suppose you could do a bit of both and meet in the middle to minimize
the chance of splitting out. Certainly use a backing block no matter
what.

The problem with most drills will be one of heating. The nylon/plastic
wants to flow (or chip -- e.g., the pilot) instead of being cut cleanly.

I think you are smoking dope with this one. I have drilled plastic
plenty of times with no problem from heating. Usually I get very nice
curlies coming up similar to drilling metal which *will* heat up.


I'd be tempted to try a brace with a 3/4 bit -- primarily because
of the GREATLY reduced (:) RPM's. If you're only doing one (or
a dozen), there's very little time to be saved with a faster drill
(esp if there is substantial rework/cleanup required).

You've never heard of a variable speed drill???


I had to make some "recessed RJ45" wall plates (i.e., so I could
plug an umbilicus into the wall plate and hide the service loop
*in* that recess). I chose a Dremel *expecting* to remove a lot
of material (I married two different wall plates to get the
result I wanted).

But, it was a real problem keeping the material from "being
semi-liquid" (which would have been unsightly to clean up had my
operations been on the exposed side of the plate)

A Dremel abrasive tool is not a drill bit. Of course that will heat up.

BTW, I bought the Dremel drill press in spite of the fact that it has
plastic parts. It is a piece of crap. When you pull the head down the
drill bit moves all over the place.

--

Rick

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On 9/19/2014 1:58 AM, Clifford Heath wrote:
On 19/09/14 14:45, rickman wrote:
On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".
I don't get it. 3/4 inch should be a flat bit.

That won't work in thin plastic, especially if it's soft. Once it breaks
through at one point, it basically tears the rest apart.

That's called using finesse. That is why I suggested that it be drilled
from both sides. The flat part of the blade will never touch the
material. The edge blades will cut through the outer circle before that
happens. I've ended up with a small disk in my hand nearly every time
I've drilled through plywood with one of these.

Oh, and Nylon is seldom soft. It is a hard plastic and rather tough. I
guess that is why they can make fine stockings out of it.

--

Rick

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On 19/09/14 17:21, rickman wrote:
On 9/19/2014 1:58 AM, Clifford Heath wrote:
On 19/09/14 14:45, rickman wrote:
On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".
I don't get it. 3/4 inch should be a flat bit.

That won't work in thin plastic, especially if it's soft. Once it breaks
through at one point, it basically tears the rest apart.

That's called using finesse. That is why I suggested that it be drilled
from both sides. The flat part of the blade will never touch the
material. The edge blades will cut through the outer circle before that
happens. I've ended up with a small disk in my hand nearly every time
I've drilled through plywood with one of these.

Yes, you can get away with that sometimes. Not often on curved thin
sheets though, like the front of a wall plate often is.

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

In sci.electronics.design Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

why not just try it? wall plates are like 50 cents to replace, who who
cares either way.

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 19:01:13 +0000 (UTC), Cydrome Leader
wrote:

In sci.electronics.design Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

why not just try it? wall plates are like 50 cents to replace, who who
cares either way.


That's what I already decided.

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson | mens |
| Analog Innovations | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| San Tan Valley, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On 9/19/2014 7:41 AM, Clifford Heath wrote:
On 19/09/14 17:21, rickman wrote:
On 9/19/2014 1:58 AM, Clifford Heath wrote:
On 19/09/14 14:45, rickman wrote:
On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".
I don't get it. 3/4 inch should be a flat bit.

That won't work in thin plastic, especially if it's soft. Once it breaks
through at one point, it basically tears the rest apart.

That's called using finesse. That is why I suggested that it be drilled
from both sides. The flat part of the blade will never touch the
material. The edge blades will cut through the outer circle before that
happens. I've ended up with a small disk in my hand nearly every time
I've drilled through plywood with one of these.

Yes, you can get away with that sometimes. Not often on curved thin
sheets though, like the front of a wall plate often is.

I don't know what wall plates you have, but mine are not curved other
than right at the edges. Flat as a board. I'm tempted to dig one up
even if I have to pull it off a wall and give it a try. Not likely to
be nylon though. I'm not sure what they make the real cheapies out of,
but I don't think it is nylon as they are rather brittle and nylon isn't
brittle, at least in its early life.

--

Rick

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 22:22:07 -0400, rickman wrote:

On 9/19/2014 7:41 AM, Clifford Heath wrote:
On 19/09/14 17:21, rickman wrote:
On 9/19/2014 1:58 AM, Clifford Heath wrote:
On 19/09/14 14:45, rickman wrote:
On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".
I don't get it. 3/4 inch should be a flat bit.

That won't work in thin plastic, especially if it's soft. Once it breaks
through at one point, it basically tears the rest apart.

That's called using finesse. That is why I suggested that it be drilled
from both sides. The flat part of the blade will never touch the
material. The edge blades will cut through the outer circle before that
happens. I've ended up with a small disk in my hand nearly every time
I've drilled through plywood with one of these.

Yes, you can get away with that sometimes. Not often on curved thin
sheets though, like the front of a wall plate often is.

I don't know what wall plates you have, but mine are not curved other
than right at the edges. Flat as a board. I'm tempted to dig one up
even if I have to pull it off a wall and give it a try. Not likely to
be nylon though. I'm not sure what they make the real cheapies out of,
but I don't think it is nylon as they are rather brittle and nylon isn't
brittle, at least in its early life.

The normal wall plate isn't nylon but nylon plates are sold as
"unbreakable".

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

In article , rickman
wrote:

On 9/19/2014 7:41 AM, Clifford Heath wrote:
On 19/09/14 17:21, rickman wrote:
On 9/19/2014 1:58 AM, Clifford Heath wrote:
On 19/09/14 14:45, rickman wrote:
On 9/18/2014 5:51 PM, Jim Thompson wrote:
I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".
I don't get it. 3/4 inch should be a flat bit.

That won't work in thin plastic, especially if it's soft. Once it breaks
through at one point, it basically tears the rest apart.

That's called using finesse. That is why I suggested that it be drilled
from both sides. The flat part of the blade will never touch the
material. The edge blades will cut through the outer circle before that
happens. I've ended up with a small disk in my hand nearly every time
I've drilled through plywood with one of these.

Yes, you can get away with that sometimes. Not often on curved thin
sheets though, like the front of a wall plate often is.

I don't know what wall plates you have, but mine are not curved other
than right at the edges. Flat as a board. I'm tempted to dig one up
even if I have to pull it off a wall and give it a try. Not likely to
be nylon though. I'm not sure what they make the real cheapies out of,
but I don't think it is nylon as they are rather brittle and nylon isn't
brittle, at least in its early life.

This is probably melamine , which machines easily, somewhat like
bakelite.

Joe Gwinn

Punching "Nylon" Wall Plates
 

On Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:51:38 -0700, Jim Thompson
wrote:

I have some blank wall outlet cover plates, claiming to be "nylon".

Do you think I could punch a hole thru one of these with a chassis
punch, or is it likely to shatter?

...Jim Thompson
If you need a round hole - a wood boring bit with "tangs" on the
periphery so the outside is engaged as well as the center called "brad
point bits," or spade bits like Irwin "speed bore" style.

What I've found to be exceptional at cutting all plastics is the
"multi tool" which uses a small blade and reciprocal oscillations to
cut. (like those things doctors use to remove casts - but with real
cutting edges instead of a wavy edge)