WMAS Discussion Forum : Drilling acrylic??? http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:56:13 +0000 Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:49:25 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=81038 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Drilling acrylic??? : Thanks for all input everyone!...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81038&PID=617945&title=drilling-acrylic#617945 Author: ElwoodUT
Subject: 81038
Posted: October 04 2016 at 11:49am

Thanks for all  input everyone!  I'll start searching for a hole saw with as many teeth as possible.  I'll drill slow and take breaks, if it keeps getting hot I'll take it outside and put some water to it. 


]]> Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:49:25 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81038&PID=617945&title=drilling-acrylic#617945 <![CDATA[Drilling acrylic??? : Go slow and take breaks so the...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81038&PID=617933&title=drilling-acrylic#617933 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 81038
Posted: October 03 2016 at 7:12pm

Go slow and take breaks so the plastic doesn't melt/deform around the cut. 

In the absence of a hole saw, I have drilled 1/4" holes in a circle and cut between the holes using wire cutters or hacksaw blade and then file down the protrusions.

Aloha,
Mark  Hug
]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 19:12:05 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81038&PID=617933&title=drilling-acrylic#617933 <![CDATA[Drilling acrylic??? : More teeth will make the cut easier...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81038&PID=617932&title=drilling-acrylic#617932 Author: MadReefer
Subject: 81038
Posted: October 03 2016 at 6:41pm

More teeth will make the cut easier and smoother. I've seen it jerk and crack a little when using a very rough hole saw.]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 18:41:34 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81038&PID=617932&title=drilling-acrylic#617932 <![CDATA[Drilling acrylic??? : You do not have to use a diamond...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81038&PID=617927&title=drilling-acrylic#617927 Author: Krazie4Acans
Subject: 81038
Posted: October 03 2016 at 3:31pm

You do not have to use a diamond hole saw on plexi but it will give you a bit smoother cut. It's a bit easier to get the hole started with the standard hole saw with the center drill but it can also wander if the center hole gets enlarged during the drilling.

If you use the diamond saws make sure you use water as the plexi will heat up and gum up the bit and you'll have to stop and wait for it to cool before you can continue.

I have seen posts from some LFS in the past that will drill but I can't remember which ones off the top of my shiny melon.
]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 15:31:21 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81038&PID=617927&title=drilling-acrylic#617927 <![CDATA[Drilling acrylic??? : Soooo close to being done with...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81038&PID=617925&title=drilling-acrylic#617925 Author: ElwoodUT
Subject: 81038
Posted: October 03 2016 at 3:21pm

Soooo close to being done with my tank build but I need to drill a 2.75" and 1.75" hole in my acrylic refugium.
Do I need to use a diamond edge hole saw or can I just use a standard hole saw?
Does anyone know what a LFS usually charges to drill these if I'd rather take that route? ]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2016 15:21:05 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81038&PID=617925&title=drilling-acrylic#617925