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[boxer]

is there a best way to cut holes in 3mm liteply done first one with Stanley knife and although ok thought there must be a way that gives a clean edge?

[tr7v8]

Depends on size but getting a piece of tube the right diameter & putting an edge on it with a file. Then tap with a hammer like a die.
Alternative is a hole saw

[boxer]

Various holes its around 13-15mm in size

[CGAux26]

I have a set of hammer-driven hole punches, but they only go up to ¼".  If they make them bigger??
 
Or how about a Fostner bit?  I know your plywood is very thin, but if you use blue tape on both sides, maybe the bit will not tear the plywood.

[inertia]

I have a set of these which have proved very useful over time.  http://www.betterequipped.co.uk/cork-borer-set-of-6-range-4-10mm-prd0906p-708
For odd-sized holes I use the next size down and then a circular Permagrit file to open the diameter out as required.  http://www.permagrit.com/index.php?cPath=80_81
DM

[boxer]

Is there a demo anywhere of the cork borer tool intrigued by that one

[John W E]

Hi Boxer
This is the tool that was used to cut the holes in the liteply for the Swordsman build.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compass-Circle-Hole-Cutter-10mm-150mm-Dia-Craft-Card-Scenery-Model-Making-Tool-/351311227257?hash=item51cbc7e979:g:CBIAAOSwMORW8V42

john

[inertia]

Demo? Nah. Select the diameter tool you want; place the sharp end onto the ply, over the hole you want to cut, and press down firmly with a twisting motion. There's a solid "plunger" supplied to push the 'chad' out of the tube once you've done.
Bloobs
I have one of those too, but they're a bit awkward for small holes like 10mm dia.
DM

[tigertiger]

Is there a demo anywhere of the cork borer tool intrigued by that one

Yes, I scratched my head as well, until I zoomed in to the picture.


The picture is a set, and the set is a tool within a tool within a tool, for easy storage. A bit like the telescopic sections of an RC TX antenna. Just pull them all apart, and then (as DM said) select the diameter tool you want.

[craggle]

You could try a step drill.
Not tried on plywood myself but used them on other materials including thin sheet metal and they are very good. They don't dig in or grab the material the way a standard two flute drill does.


Craig.

[derekwarner]

If the application lends it self to machine [drill] the ply in a flat plane and you have a drill press, then the solution offered by bluebird is a cost effective method of producing the holes with an absolute minimal distortion or ragged edges across the interleaving layers of the ply 

These cutters can be used with a hand drill and on lightly curved surfaces  , however the results can be problematical  .........

Luthiers [skilled wood working musical instrument builders] have used these cutters for hundreds of years in making holes in the top plate of stringed instruments  ...these Guys exploit this as the holes are created in the flat plane, so when the plate is steamed and shaped...the holes become elliptical

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compass-Circle-Hole-Cutter-10mm-150mm-Dia-Craft-Card-Scenery-Model-Making-Tool-/351311227257?hash=item51cbc7e979:g:CBIAAOSwMORW8V42

[boxer]

Thank you guys , got some good ways there to have a go

thank you again

[RAAArtyGunner]

Tip for drilling in wood.

To prevent ragged edges, etc, at the bottom of the hole, place a piece of waste timber under the hole location.

[Captain Povey]

Before power tools took over I seem to remember using a brace and bit. The bit cut half way through and cut a clean ring through the grain on the outside before turning the wood over and going in from the other side. A clean cut on both sides resulted. Graham

[tigertiger]

I would fear using those on 3mm liteply 

[Captain Povey]

Yes they could do with a bit of an edge put on them . Perhaps their modern equivalent would do a better job. Graham

[RAAArtyGunner]

Used with a backing board the 'spur' would cut the circle before the shaving/cutting edge could come into play.   

Result nice clean neat hole.   

On thicker material same result good clean hole.

Like all hand tools keep them sharp and let the tool do the work.  

[Captain Povey]

Well I got the honing stone out and tickled the edges. As I could not find any 2mm ply I had to make do with a bit of 3mm. Found the old brace, drilled a pilot hole and bore away slowly by hand. I did not use a backing board but it could be a good addition. Anyway I was quite pleased with the result. Sorry about the pictures, hands must have been shaking after all that physical effort. Graham

[bfgstew]

Use a smallish drill bit, then open up using a Dremel with a small sanding drum on it, works for me.

[RAAArtyGunner]

Well I got the honing stone out and tickled the edges. As I could not find any 2mm ply I had to make do with a bit of 3mm. Found the old brace, drilled a pilot hole and bore away slowly by hand. I did not use a backing board but it could be a good addition. Anyway I was quite pleased with the result. Sorry about the pictures, hands must have been shaking after all that physical effort. Graham

Well done.

Where ever possible I use hand tools.
For those that can't, yes use a dremel/grinder etc