drilling pvc

does anyone an easy way to drill evenly spaced holes 12mm holes in conduit to put pixel stings in spinners arches etc. i use about 60mm spacing and drill anything up to 50 holes at a time

thank you
Mic

Sounds like you need a jig! Do you have a pedestal drill?


Fashion up a U shaped box that the PVC can sit in, then mark the centre of this box eg: |==X==|, this is where the drill bit will go (centre of pedestal drill).



Next you need something like a small bolt / rod that is the same width as the drill hole which you offset to one side that will be your distance marker; drill your first hole in the PVC, then move it to the left and insert this bolt into the new hole, rinse and repeat and all of your holes should theoretically be the same distance. If the bolt is a snug fit it should also stop you from accidentally rotating the tubing too.

Any woodworking tools work well with PVC and most plastics. I'd use a wood drill bit https://www.amazon.com/12mm-Metric-Brad-Point-Drill/dp/B001DT2ZTG in a drill press at a slow speed. DO NOT use a spade bit as it will catch and remove fingers (see picture). If your drilling through PVC pipe then I would recommend drilling the back hole larger than the mounting hole. Drill through with 12mm drill bit then enlarge rear hole with a stepped drill bit https://www.amazon.com/CO-Z-Cobalt-Multiple-Sizes-Aluminum/dp/B0177PN6SI/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1483335040&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=step+drill+bit&psc=1

Just take it easy and don't melt the PVC.

Steve

You could watch this :


Part 3: How to build a Pixel Matrix/Pixel Grid for an outdoor Christmas light show - YouTube

thanks for that guys looks like i might have to get a pedestal drill

mic

pennymoor said:

thanks for that guys looks like i might have to get a pedestal drill

mic

Click to expand...

for sure.
I attempted to drill them free hand (even though I had a drill press) but that turned out a very bad idea.
I made a jig and drilled them on my drill stand, and even though it took hours (600 plus holes) it did turn out well worth the time making the jig.

Search on Facebook- Rainy Oregon Christmas .... this guy sells a pretty nice PVC jig for a reasonable price.


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