Drilling Acrylic?

How do you go about doing it? LFS has a diamond tipped bit that is normally used for cutting glass tanks. They said they'd let me use it. Would that work on the acrylic? Or could i just use a normal everyday drilling bit to drill it?

 

Hole saw for wood works fine. Acrylic is very easy to drill. I would not use the glass bit, as it would clog or even melt to the bit, and could ruin it.

 

So just a regular ol' hole saw? Is that a bit that goes into the drill?

 

don't know if you already drilled or not, but acrylic is a plastic. i drilled mine with a regular hole drill bit, the one with a band around the outer diameter. i wouldn't use the solid flat ones. and yes, you just chuck it up in a regular drill.

 

Go slow when you are about to go through the other side, sometimes the bit will want to grab and pull it through, thats when you run the risk of cracking the other side.
It's a pretty easy process, I just drilled my glass sump, that too was easy but for the first time, like acrylic it makes you nervous.

Might be something about drilling holes in something that holds water;D

Good luck

 

like any kind of job you will get a better resault with a better tool acrilic is an easy medium to work with in regards to hole cutting , seams are another story .
to fast melts the acrilic to slow will create a deeper cut per tooth and more likly cause cracking as you pass throu
patients is a vertue

 

Ugh. Ok. Well i'm drilling tomorrow. I'll take lots of pics for you guys and post it in my build thread.

 

This is gonna be nervracking

 

Ah it'll be over before you know it;D

The rubber gasket will cover any little chips-its not like your gonna crack your tank