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Vent hole in bubble canopy

Posted By:
Mark Hubelbank
Homebuilder or Craftsman
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#1 Posted: 7/10/2011 08:39:40

Does anyone have any first hand experience in making a round hole in a bubble canopy that is inplace? I would like to add a vent hole to my CH601XL canopy but the idea of making a 2+ inch diameter in this thin stressed plastic seems dangerous. Since all of the canopy is a  compound bend, it is not possible to provide a smooth backing while cutting the hole.



Brian Evans
Homebuilder or Craftsman
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#2 Posted: 7/14/2011 19:42:56

The easiest way to make a round hole in a plexiglass  bubble  canopy  is to use a remington grit edge hole saw , remove the drill bit pilot and substitute a piece of plain round bar the same diameter.

Do your hole sawing on a warm day, the plexi will be more flexible and less likely to crack.

Start by very carefully  putting your pilot hole where you want the vent hole. Use masking tape as needed to prevent slippage and accidental scratches

Make sure the pilot bar is an easy sliding fit in the hole.  Applying very light pressure and a slow speed, cut half way through the canopy, now go inside and cut almost half way the other way. Then  go back to your original side where you started and gently cut  unti the center disc starts to rotate, stop and remove the cutter at once. keep an eye on the cut as you go, to make sure you are cutting evenly , you do not want to cut all the way through on one side  and barely touch the other

The idea of cutting from both sides is to avoid a thick and thin spot on your cutting and to keep the break through in the center of the plexi. Now trim up the ridge in the middle,  and polish the edge with a dremel tool or similar high speed grinder, and you are done.

Brian Evans

EAA chapter 286



Mark Hubelbank
Homebuilder or Craftsman
7
Posts
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#3 Posted: 7/15/2011 07:47:08

Bran,

    This sounds like the most workable solution I have heard of. I found a source of the grit hole saw at McMaster Carr.  Now the "big" decision, exactly where to put it.



Richard Shankland
Homebuilder or Craftsman
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#4 Posted: 7/15/2011 13:53:48

Mark .............


When drilling the pilot hole, remember to use a drill bit which is specifically sharpened for boring acrylic. While you can re-grind a regular bit, I have found it economical in the long run to buy a dedicated bit for this purpose. There is truly a difference!

I am wondering if you couldn't "back-up" the compound curve with molding clay. It might prevent any chattering or vibration white cutting the large hole, and it would be easy to peel off and paste on the back side when you reverse the hole saw.

If the curve is pronounced enough, you may grind completely through two edges of the hole before the other two edges have reached the half-way mark. That could be the critical time in the operation. If you used the clay, it would get on the abrasive, but I suppose you could clean it off easily enough. Just a thought.

I had to trim my whole canopy "blank" using an air grinder and 3" wheel. Several times, working it slowly down to fit my fuselage. I used masking tape on the trim line to dampen vibrations and to make the trim line easy to see without getting the marker ink on the acrylic. Ink can be bad juju for acrylic, leading to cracking later on. Do not mark on the canopy!!!



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