High Tide Aquatics

Drill for acrylic

ashburn2k

ashburn2k

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Any one can give me a pointer where to get drill for acrylic or regular ones will do? Slow speed? I tried one with my drill but it ended up to be pretty ugly and some chipped on the edges.


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With the fostner bit, the acrylic is sort of "shaved" out; it does get hot but not to a melting point. Use an old piece of wood backing the plexi so the holes end smooth. A drill press should make for a nice straight cut, a drill guide also does the job fine.
 
I bought this set from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LY6FODL/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm in North San Jose/Santa Clara if you want to borrow it. I had some small chips on a few from drilling too fast (downward pressure wise) and pressing to hard. Also got some cracks between holes same way, just need to go a little more slowly and maybe space out a little more depending on thickness of acrylic. But making your own with the bunch of bargain bin pieces from Tap Plastics is cheap and nice.
 
Also, I think I used the 7/16" size to try to get the smallest hole possible for the plugs I use, but after some coraline growth and other things like vermatid snails, it makes it difficult to go in and out. 1/2" would be better.
 
High speed, light feed, and use a backer.

You can modify a regular bit really easily for drilling acrylic.

IMG_0680.JPG


Just stone the cutting edges/lips parallel to the axis to make 2 tiny flats instead of sharp rakes. Then your acrylic won't catch and shatter. Old machinist trick.
 
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