drilling acrylic
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11356
Printed Date: July 14 2026 at 11:14pm
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Topic: drilling acrylic
Posted By: Angel
Subject: drilling acrylic
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 5:22pm
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What tools do you need to drill a hole in 1/4" acrylic for an external pump? Do you all have tips for that? ------------- Connie Tooele |
Replies:
Posted By: Rocky
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 5:49pm
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You can do it with most any drill bit except the ones meant for wood use only; the best thing is to use a hole saw. You just need to dip the bit in water to keep it from melting the acrylic as you drill/cut. ------------- Rocky Phillips Hill AFB, Utah Currently Tankless :( |
Posted By: dnellans
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 5:51pm
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just a normal hole saw will work connie... just go slow and let the bit cut don't force it, and back it out often so it doesn't heat up too much. just get a 1 3/4 hole saw (the outer diameter of a 1 inch bulkhead) or whatever the appropriate size. very easy. will take about 2 minutes to do! remember measure twice cut once  |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 5:56pm
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I just use my hole saw and drill away. I'm usually drilling 1.25" holes and it is pretty easy. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: dnellans
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 6:10pm
| 1.25 isn't big enough for a 1 inch bulkhead.... are you using 3/4 inch bulkheads on your closed loop now adam? =p |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 6:14pm
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This will be my first 1.25 closed loop. The last was .75..... I think? Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: dnellans
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 7:05pm
| i'm so lost... those eyeballs are 1 inch bulkheads and require a 1.75 inch hole... you know that right? |
Posted By: jfinch
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 7:29pm
I agree with everything Dave has said... well except for the measure twice cut once. What fun is there in that!  ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 7:40pm
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I don't think I knew that. It doesn't really matter, I was just going to measure them after I got them and then pick the right drill bit. I don't know what hole sizes are needed for what sized bulkheads off the top of my head. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
dnellans wrote:Posted By: Angel
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 7:41pm
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OK... well.... I guess it's anchors away. It is such a beautiful refugium. Acrylic is forgiving, right? ------------- Connie Tooele |
Posted By: dnellans
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 7:57pm
VERY don't even think twice, just go for it! go slow on the first one and the rest you can blow through like nothing once you're comfortable 
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Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 9:00pm
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Adam your bulkheads are in :-) ------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: Angel
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 9:03pm
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Do you have extras? ------------- Connie Tooele |