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Is it possible to drill through a reflector?
What happens if you try to drill right through the plastic-like face of it? Does the drill bit carve right through, or does it shatter the reflector all over the place?
I was considering putting a reflector on the back of a fender, but it'd take some rigging, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about it. |
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I haven't done it, but I bet if you drilled a pilot hole with a very small drill bit, and then enlarged it with a larger bit, you could do it without shattering it. |
Is it possible to drill through a reflector?
Here ya go :)
http://home.howstuffworks.com/type-of-drill-bit-plastic.htm |
Yeah you can drill it, but unless you have a specific reason to use a particular reflector it would almost certainly be easier to buy a suitable one for your purpose off-the-shelf.
Also, reflective tape works very well for this purpose. |
Originally Posted by Turtle Speed
(Post 16587739)
What happens if you try to drill right through the plastic-like face of it? Does the drill bit carve right through, or does it shatter the reflector all over the place?
I was considering putting a reflector on the back of a fender, but it'd take some rigging, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about it. |
Originally Posted by J.C. Koto
(Post 16587914)
Yeah you can drill it, but unless you have a specific reason to use a particular reflector it would almost certainly be easier to buy a suitable one for your purpose off-the-shelf.
Except for most LBSs have a huge box of reflectors, taken off bikes whose new owners wouldn't be seen dead with a reflector on their bike. Mine let me have a couple for free. Get the ones that are typically used to mount on those plastic seatpost clamps. They already have a screw hole for mounting. Might as well get the screw too while you're there. Then you just need to drill the fender. On my SKS P-series, the bracket for the lower rear fenderstay already had a hole, so it was simply a matter of extending it through the fender. A little Locktite on the screw and it's been there forever. All it cost me was a little time and a drop of Locktite. |
If you do, I suggest something called a spade drill. When drilling thin sheet materials a twist drill (What most call a conventional drill bit) will try to grab and pull the material.
You can get these for a lot less at home depot, but I couldn't find an image easily on their site. Spade Drill Bits products - Grainger Industrial Supply |
Originally Posted by CommuteCommando
(Post 16588533)
If you do, I suggest something called a spade drill. When drilling thin sheet materials a twist drill (What most call a conventional drill bit) will try to grab and pull the material.
You can get these for a lot less at home depot, but I couldn't find an image easily on their site. Spade Drill Bits products - Grainger Industrial Supply |
You can drill through glass if you have the right tools. I've done it.
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you could poke a hot steel rod thru the plastic rather than worrying about shattering the plastic, drilling..
if wanting to mount it with a screw through the reflector think about how you wont crush the reflector tightening the screw. IDK of many glass , non antique , reflectors .. |
Might try drilling from the back. Wear eye protection in case it shatters. Good luck!
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I second the use of a glass/tile bit.
Put masking tape just in case. I was able to drill glass without it shattering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v9Z...6zPoymgKaIoDLA |
Drill the fender, only.
Reflector ? Rear Fender Mount (SKU:2203) | ISO Bikes They are also available on ebay. Search "bicycle fender reflector" |
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