# Any fresh tips on rectangular holes for project cases? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Electronics\ **Created:** [July 15, 2023, 8:58am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283 "2023-07-15T08:58:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Terrypin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Terrypin](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Terrypin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 8:58am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/1 "2023-07-15T08:58:28Z")
Decades ago I’d make occasional rectangles by tedious drilling and filing. In recent years I’ve managed to avoid that, confining myself to circular holes. But my 16x2 LCD prompts this post. Searching hasn’t turned up anything new, apart from the possibility of repeated scoring with a very sharp blade. Given the popularity of these displays, is there a metal template which, if somehow secured rigidly to the typical plastic box surface, might make it possible to Dremel inside it to create a reasonably neat rectangle? Or any other approaches please? ---
**Author:** ![J-M-L](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/j-m-l/32/766245_2.png) [@J-M-L](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/J-M-L)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 9:05am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/2 "2023-07-15T09:05:22Z")
3D printing at home was a game changer for this for many of us You can find also on Etsy or elsewhere people selling such enclosure for example first couple hits looking for LCD enclosure - [Case LCD 1602 Housing Box Protection Arduino Raspberry - Etsy.de](https://www.etsy.com/de-en/listing/1492402731/case-lcd-1602-housing-box-protection) - [https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004851619221.html](https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004851619221.html) ---
**Author:** ![awneil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@awneil](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/awneil)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 9:19am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/3 "2023-07-15T09:19:00Z")
For woodworking routers, you can get bits with a bearing on them - the bearing allows them to follow the line of a template. > **[Rebate Bearings Sets – Infinity Tools](https://www.infinitytools.co.uk/router-bit-bearings/rebate-bearing-set/)** > > Turn any rebate (rabbet) bit into the most versatile cutter in the shop with these bearings sets. I dunno if you can get similar things to fit something the size of a dremel...? As it's a simple rectangle, maybe have the dremel in a stand, and set up a jig which constrains the box to move in a parallel straight line ... ? ---
**Author:** ![awneil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@awneil](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/awneil)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 9:22am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/4 "2023-07-15T09:22:54Z")
Here you go - using a straight-edge guide: [![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/e/f/1/ef1e16999c49cc61e248b0a4006f6719bda7b459.jpeg "Dremel Router Bits / Rotary Tool Router Bits") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avKD-PsVH4U&t=110) you could equally just set up a straight edge to guide that "hood" thingy ... ---
**Author:** ![UKHeliBob](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/ukhelibob/32/215663_2.png) [@UKHeliBob](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/UKHeliBob)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 9:57am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/5 "2023-07-15T09:57:36Z")
Can you rout a rectangular hole with square corners ? ---
**Author:** ![DrAzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb9ed0/32.png) [@DrAzzy](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/DrAzzy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 10:09am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/6 "2023-07-15T10:09:13Z")
If the plastic is thin enough that it fits in the jaw and isn't super brittle, there isn't much easier than than this one: Drill a round hole to fit the buisiness end of this in (about 3/8th inch) then make your rectangular hole with the nibbler. No affiliation with amazon vendor, but it looks identical to the one I had and was the first google result > **[Parts Express Nickel Plated Nibbling Tool - Nibbler - Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-Nickel-Plated-Nibbling/dp/B0002KRACO)** > > Parts Express Nickel Plated Nibbling Tool - Nibbler - Amazon.com For 1602 LCDs specifically just search aliexpress for project box LCD - and you'll get these. There may also be a version for the 2004, but it's not common ![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/5/c/2/5c29478b0f775279995b3c16295241fc711ad902.webp) Edit - if you decide to use this, pm me and I can dig up the measurements on them. took many board revs (but it did for electrical reasons too) but I finally got the holes in the right places. With that enclosure, you can actually mount the display to the PCB and that's that (that's what I do) outside dimensions 85 x 85mm ---
**Author:** ![awneil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@awneil](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/awneil)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 10:15am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/7 "2023-07-15T10:15:50Z")
Would require fettling to get perfectly square corners, but the the requirement was for, _"a_ reasonably _neat rectangle"_. 😜 ---
**Author:** ![awneil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@awneil](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/awneil)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 10:16am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/8 "2023-07-15T10:16:46Z")
There are many places nowadays that will do custom machining on standard cases ... ---
**Author:** ![DrAzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb9ed0/32.png) [@DrAzzy](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/DrAzzy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 10:21am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/9 "2023-07-15T10:21:16Z")
Any of them that do it for a reasonable price, as in hobbyist reasonable? I've not found any. ---
**Author:** ![J-M-L](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/j-m-l/32/766245_2.png) [@J-M-L](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/J-M-L)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 10:33am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/10 "2023-07-15T10:33:52Z")
> [@DrAzzy](#): > > for a reasonable price you get this for less than 3€ shipping included ![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/5/c/2/5c29478b0f775279995b3c16295241fc711ad902.webp) [https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004851619221.html](https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004851619221.html) ---
**Author:** ![awneil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@awneil](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/awneil)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 10:44am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/11 "2023-07-15T10:44:36Z")
I've never got far enough down that path to get pricing - you'd have to ask ... ---
**Author:** ![DrAzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb9ed0/32.png) [@DrAzzy](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/DrAzzy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 11:14am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/12 "2023-07-15T11:14:05Z")
That listing is expensive, you can find better sellers ---
**Author:** ![DrAzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb9ed0/32.png) [@DrAzzy](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/DrAzzy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 11:17am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/13 "2023-07-15T11:17:21Z")
I figured you hadn't, because you still have eyebrows, Had you seen the prices any place I had asked for quotes you would NOT. The sticker-shock was so forceful that it burned my eyebrows off. ---
**Author:** ![Terrypin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Terrypin](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Terrypin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 11:24am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/14 "2023-07-15T11:24:02Z")
Thanks, looks a promising line of enquiry. Good video. I do have a Dremel, with limited accessories and even greater limited experience of using it. But maybe it's time to discover what _rebate_, _mortice_ and _rabbit_ etc mean! ---
**Author:** ![UKHeliBob](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/ukhelibob/32/215663_2.png) [@UKHeliBob](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/UKHeliBob)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 11:27am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/15 "2023-07-15T11:27:46Z")
A Dremel and a cutting disk would probably be a better bet if you want square corners on the cut-out without any need for filing ---
**Author:** ![Terrypin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Terrypin](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Terrypin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 11:44am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/16 "2023-07-15T11:44:24Z")
Thanks, I'll try that. What's the best starting point - drill largest holes possible to remove maximum plastic, then the Dremel? ---
**Author:** ![UKHeliBob](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/ukhelibob/32/215663_2.png) [@UKHeliBob](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/UKHeliBob)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 11:50am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/17 "2023-07-15T11:50:50Z")
If you use a cutting disk you don't need a starter hole. You use it like an angle grinder straight along the edges of the rectangle ---
**Author:** ![J-M-L](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/j-m-l/32/766245_2.png) [@J-M-L](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/J-M-L)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 11:51am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/18 "2023-07-15T11:51:51Z")
or just a Dremel Cutting disk and being careful. you'll need possibly a bit of filing work at the angles ---
**Author:** ![62Tom](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/62tom/32/1099700_2.png) [@62Tom](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/62Tom)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/19 "2023-07-15T14:06:43Z")
About a hundred years ago, I bought a NIBBLING TOOL for 10 dollars and still use it today for cutting out any square or rectangular openings. A 3/8" hole on opposing corners, then just insert the tool and start squeezing the handle. Takes a few minutes, but works perfectly in plastic or thin aluminum !! ---
**Author:** ![noiasca](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/noiasca/32/1126910_2.png) [@noiasca](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/noiasca)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 2:29pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283/20 "2023-07-15T14:29:18Z")
> [@Terrypin](#): > > Searching hasn’t turned up anything new, apart from the possibility of repeated scoring with a very sharp blade. you can hide your not so perfect aligned cuts with a [1602 LCD bezel](https://www.google.com/search?q=1602+lcd+bezel) A CNC router can give you good cutouts \*) ![testbox20211029_112204m](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/8/7/5/87583c1fec776b67de5aebb43cc4eb1d82300b3b.jpeg) \*) after playing hours with the settings ... [Next page](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/any-fresh-tips-on-rectangular-holes-for-project-cases/1148283.md?page=2)