Beechwood Model Railway Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 Hi all, Looking for advice please about drilling into Bachmann and Hornby resin buildings. I want to install working lights to the exterior of some buildings, which I'm estimating will require 1.00 - 1.5mm holes to poke the wires through. Has anyone else attempted this? Does the resin drill easily or crack? I'm thinking of using a pin vice, of course, not a power tool. I've attached an example photo of the Viessmann 6087 light — which would look great on a cottage located next to the front door. And the Bachmann 4-Road Engine Shed would benefit from replacing the supplied dummy lights with actual working versions! Many thanks, Neil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Bird Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 (edited) I've done this successfully using a pin chuck and a fine drill. There has been no sign of cracking. It's not a fast process so take your time and don't exert pressure. Edited July 12, 2020 by Les Bird 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Model Railway Posted July 12, 2020 Author Share Posted July 12, 2020 Thanks Les, that's good to know. I'll give it a try, and of course gently-gently! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ikcdab Posted July 12, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 12, 2020 It's amazing how fast drill bits can heat up and melt plastic material. I don't think you'll get this with resin, but make sure you use a sharp drill and just go carefully. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold pheaton Posted July 13, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 13, 2020 Ive drilled into small resin buildings using a Dremel with no issues...but the advice for using(or at least starting with) a pin vice is best because theres no chance of the drill skipping and damaging the building. Ive used much larger drill bits on the underside of buildings using a cordless without issue, sharpness of the drill be is key though, if its blunt it will snatch and cause damage. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Il Grifone Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Sharp bits are essential, but there is a strong change of it not being sharp any more once the hole is drilled. (Or perhaps I shouldn't buy cheap bits from China?) Drilling slowly is good advice. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 The main factors for successfully drilling resin buildings are therefore: A sharp drill Slow drilling speed Well supported behind the drilling point It is possible to get devices to sharpen dull drill bits, especially useful for Chinese drills... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Model Railway Posted July 13, 2020 Author Share Posted July 13, 2020 Thank you for the advice — my initial thought based on logic and common sense seem to be mirrored in what you all say. Manual drilling to maintain control and prevent excessive vibrations, snagging or overheating, plus sharp bits (I tend to use Bosch drill bits for most applications). I'll report back in due course! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted July 13, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 13, 2020 For drilling resin I find this kind of drill better due to the flute design which seems to prevent clogging and binding better than twist drills. Very brittle though, but do-able with care if you centre pop first. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kbnian-Carbide-Diameter-Tungsten-Miniature/dp/B07TGGPWJQ/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=micro+drill+bit+sets&qid=1594670854&sr=8-17 Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted July 14, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 14, 2020 14 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said: For drilling resin I find this kind of drill better due to the flute design which seems to prevent clogging and binding better than twist drills. Very brittle though, but do-able with care if you centre pop first. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kbnian-Carbide-Diameter-Tungsten-Miniature/dp/B07TGGPWJQ/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=micro+drill+bit+sets&qid=1594670854&sr=8-17 Mike. I'd be wary (very) of centre-popping a resin building. A sharp scriber rotated by hand to make an indent would be much safer. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted July 14, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 14, 2020 5 hours ago, polybear said: I'd be wary (very) of centre-popping a resin building. A sharp scriber rotated by hand to make an indent would be much safer. A difference in wordology obviously. I didn't mean use a centre punch and hammer! I use a steel haberdashers pin with the head cut off in a pin vice to make an indent, is that not centre popping by any other name? Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted July 14, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 14, 2020 1 hour ago, Enterprisingwestern said: A difference in wordology obviously. I didn't mean use a centre punch and hammer! I use a steel haberdashers pin with the head cut off in a pin vice to make an indent, is that not centre popping by any other name? Mike. Hi Mike, I had one of these types of gadgets in mind when you used the term "centre-pop" - a spring loaded centre punch: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1305411137 Not as bad as clumping a centre punch with a club hammer but still scary on resin Cheers, Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted July 14, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 14, 2020 1 hour ago, polybear said: Hi Mike, I had one of these types of gadgets in mind when you used the term "centre-pop" - a spring loaded centre punch: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1305411137 Not as bad as clumping a centre punch with a club hammer but still scary on resin Cheers, Brian Yes, resin is scary stuff, just above meringue IMHO, give me plastic or brass anyday! Mike. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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