The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Techniques and skills => Topic started by: sellickbhoy on April 15, 2009, 10:36:15 am

Title: Polycarbonate sheeting
Post by: sellickbhoy on April 15, 2009, 10:36:15 am

i'm looking into making some cold frames/mini greenhouses using some polycarbonate sheeting

Does anyone know if you can drill holes in it (so i can fix it to a wooden frame using a screw a washer)

or would it crack?

Title: Re: Polycarbonate sheeting
Post by: HappyHippy on April 15, 2009, 11:40:07 am

Hi,
If you're talking about the flexible roofing sheets they should be fine to drill. I've done it in the past (and perspex too) I always start with a small drill bit maybe 2 or 3 mm in diameter just to get through it, then go back with another drill bit the size I need - just do it gently and not too fast.
Good luck  ;D

Title: Re: Polycarbonate sheeting
Post by: sellickbhoy on April 15, 2009, 12:06:25 pm

i wouldn't say they are particularly flexible - it's the stuff that you can use to glaze greenhouses

so it's quite rigid

I'm sure you are ok to drill it, like you say, start with a small drill and work up - but just wanted confirmation that it wasn't one of those plastics that cracks if you try to drill it. I'm gonna go google!!!

Title: Re: Polycarbonate sheeting
Post by: MrRee on April 15, 2009, 12:07:05 pm

You could heat a nail up over a camping gas stove,holding it with pliers,and then melt the holes needed. For the "glass" on our cold frame,we used an old shower screen thing that folds back on four sets of hinges.I still have two old sash windows to utilise when I get more wood for the frame bit...... Ree

Title: Re: Polycarbonate sheeting
Post by: sellickbhoy on April 15, 2009, 12:24:55 pm

Found my answers

http://www.rockwellsheet.com/faqs.asp

yup, should be straightforward enough.