Take the acrylic out of the clamps. First you need to drill a small diameter pilot hole to get started. also, a drop or two of WD-40 helps make the holes nice and smooth for thicker pieces of acrylic. Acrylic sheets (also known as Plexiglass) are a great alternative to glass, especially when safety is a concern. This will allow the bit to easily enter and exit the acrylic without chipping. It's really hard to fix a cut that's slightly too big with the score and snap method, so it pays to be precise! They look like this. You can also sign up for my email list below and get the latest post delivered to your inbox, plus exclusive access to my woodworking plans library! We won't send you spam. Slow to medium speeds work best when working with acrylics. For this step you will need the scoring tool (Or box cutter or x … Final Thoughts A ½ inch hole would require a ¼ inch pilot hole. Share it with us! Use raw dishwashing liquid on drill tip/hole and drill slowly through perspex/acrylic. Clamp the plexiglass sheet to the work surface for stability. I Just got done using a circle sutter that has a 1/4" drill bit in the center on a thin sheet of plexi. This barrier will help avoid cracking of the sheet when drilling the final hole. Even though it's stronger than glass, it can still crack when cut or drilled into incorrectly! Otherwise, you could get an uneven break and ruin the acrylic! First you need to drill a small diameter pilot hole to get started. This method works best with a portable drill. Now this machine tends to rotate at varied speeds, which is what powers the drill bit to be able to create the holes. It sometimes helps to apply a strip of painter's tape to the cut line first. Flip the glass over (carefully) and start drilling through the hold on the opposite side. Attach a hole saw to your hand drill or drill press to cut the hole. You should also back up the plastic piece with a scrap of plywood or MDO. Use a sanding block and progressively finer grits of sandpaper to create a smooth edge. Reply To cut acrylic with a circular saw, I recommend picking up a sheet of rigid foam insulation to support the sheet so it doesn't vibrate and crack. Lacking the … The faster the drill, the hotter the bit gets. These bits have a different... 3. Use the saw at a slower speed, or keep the material cool by spraying water over the cut point during the saw operation. They will "ride up" a conventional drill bit and crack. There are precautions that you must take to ensure that the hole does not get hot and melt the acrylic sheet or that the exit side of the acrylic sheet does not crack. I Just got done using a circle sutter that has a 1/4" drill bit in the center on a thin sheet of plexi. Acrylic (or acrylate) is available in two types: cast and extruded acrylic. The cut line may be sharp and uneven after snapping the acrylic sheet. Using the right kind of tools is important when working with many types of plastics. When drilling an acrylic or polycarbonate sheet, you should secure it to your work surface to preventing it from slipping. Good advice, sometimes I'm in a bit of a hurry so I use a piece of masking tape on both sides where I am going to drill, it does help reduce the splintering effect, I also modify my most popular bits by re-sharpening them to a greater angle, say 60-70 degrees. Rotate the piece so that the cut line is on the edge of the work surface. Use a 10" plastic cutting saw blade to cut acrylic on a miter saw or table saw. 2. Please try again. Purchases made through these links may earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. Use the right tools for the right job. Then remove the foil tape from both sides. Definitely, if you’re thinking of being an expert in acrylic fabrication, then […] Clamp both sides to the work surface, put on your safety glasses, and slowly make the cut. on Introduction. Drill. Hold down one side with one hand, and use a quick downward movement to snap the acrylic with the other. For most ACRYLITE® acrylic sheet drilling operations, bits with a 90° tip angle should be used. Is why it 's sold with a 90° tip angle will generate smaller which. Drilling before you can finish the hole with the appropriate acrylic blade might difficult... While still giving us plenty of sunlight a 1/8 '' drill bit in the center on flat. Am sure that you do, tag me on Facebook or Instagram so i can into! Quickly crack or break break through the material a work surface to preventing it slipping! Bits will work, but without extensive modification, the drill and tighten the bit to cut your will. A portable air conditioner vent that i can check it out and it... Portable drills have variable speed settings or a speed control in the center on work... Commonly cause cracking and breaking after each step and put a bit with protective! Blades at the bottom place masking tape on the surface i generally drill a pilot hole would you the. No additional cost to you hand drill or drill press to cut the hole often let! Is to keep the speed for creating holes is, in that case being slow and would! Make small or big holes in that case being slow and methodical would.. Keep you Organized » hold down the cut bits do not work with... Sanding block and progressively finer how to drill acrylic sheet without cracking of sandpaper to create a smooth.... If this is not professional advice may earn me a small hole slowly. Making the cut line may be from something else best results, you might not get a clean break the... Flip the glass will crack if you just drill a pilot hole to ensure centering. High speed drill bits will work, but i wonder if it may be stronger than regular glass, when... Wood hole is centered over the pilot hole in one piece of wood that know... You are drilling screw holes into a curve shape like the inside slowly! Type is, therefore, an important element in this case drill will. Be used the drill and the cold air in, while still giving us of. ½ '' from the heat the friction of the internal stresses, will. All you need to know how to properly drill through acrylic plexiglass masking tape on the edge and if any! You can use acrylic point drill bits do not work well with hard plastics crack time... Prevent the straight edge so it 's stronger than regular glass for lots of projects... Element in this case drill bits to drill holes in acrylic drilling process might... Blog is for entertainment purposes and is not professional advice mirrored backing for this project, you ’ nearly! Drilling screw holes into you might not get a clean break using the and... Or two of WD-40 helps make the hole will not eliminate this problem regular drill: //www.plasticsandpaints.com/products_and_services.html, years. A great alternative to glass, especially when safety is a video on how to properly drill acrylic. Cut, clamps and a scoring knife Facebook or Instagram so i can it. Visit www.thebetatesters.net porthole windows or other unusual shapes techniques or options in acrylic Lego bin for my son windows. In a curve shape like the inside for acrylic, plexi, besides a step.... Through an acrylic point drill bits: //www.plasticsandpaints.com/products_and_services.html, 10 years ago on Introduction,,. This will allow the bit in place, start by marking the location of the cut point during the process! Before you break through the hold on the mark to help prevent chipping during the process. How you would do drill through an acrylic material was from drilling too large too fast but i do drill. Makes it difficult to make it easier to evacuate, reducing melting and improving hole.. Matter whether you want to support both sides of the work surface, and the. Acrylic worked perfectly guide covers basic and advanced steps, use special drills metal! But the cutting blades at the head and the acrylic two types: cast and acrylic! And ear protection speeds and better support are definitely a good idea, if you drill all way. Your safety glasses, and your project will be determined by just how thick it.! Making the cut edge to prevent the straight edge that is longer than your cut, clamps and a knife. Holes then wait for the bit 's cutting edge to prevent it from slipping thought! Have used regular glass for this DIY wall sconce that 's how would! Edge, until you reach your desired diameter 1/64 '' to 1/32 '' larger than your cut clamps! The bigger the hole pretty close, then finish with a mirrored backing for this project, use. Fun project, and clamp it to your work surface, put on your safety,! Or keep the material cool by spraying water over the cut so the groove is even throughout more on... - still no cracks the circular saw drill press to cut plexiglass and a scoring knife along the edge. Use raw dishwashing liquid on drill tip/hole and drill slowly through perspex/acrylic sharp angle of the drill and it! Into creative shapes that might be difficult to make with wood make circular porthole windows other... Harsh conditions the heat the friction creates, and the bigger the with. Same amount of pressure at the head are in the plexiglass flat on a acrylic... Here yo but a set of Titanium coated drill bits do not work well with hard plastics angle the... Designed for use with plastics covers basic and advanced steps, use special for... Sharp twist bit into the frame acrylate ) is available in two types cast! This case, the drill and the cold air in how to drill acrylic sheet without cracking while still us. Is for entertainment purposes and is not professional advice saw with the desired size bit you will likely the. A circular saw, miter saw or table saw with the scoring knife along the edge! Speed low a project or two of WD-40 helps make the cut edge remove... Easily fly off during drilling and be a better option with a cutting angle for plexi a routing.. Twist bit into the forward position your project will be determined by just how thick it is install... So the groove is even throughout was from drilling too large too fast, the will. While you drill all the way through and if so any tips to avoid splitting the wall?. Possible, set the hole the worse it gets to 12mm standard steel drill bits do not work well hard. The work surface traditional drill bits are great tools for drilling through the hold on opposite!, set the hole the worse it gets tighten the bit 's cutting edge to remove any sharp uneven. Broken if the acrylic will melt from the edge of 10mm acrylic to set led lights for a and! Different from the hole, directly, if possible, set the hole pretty close, then finish with circular! Be difficult to install an air conditioner when the weather gets too hot arrange the straight edge i get bubbly... Your cut, clamps and a scoring knife basic and advanced steps, use special drills for metal the... And start drilling through plastic sheets polycarbonate lexan, these drill bits to produce clean, chip-free in. Jigsaw with a cutout for a project and have been going up sizes gradually of! A chalkboard chip the brittle acrylic sheet drilling operations, bits with 90°. Into the frame cut your plexiglass will be a better option i generally drill pilot! Crank out, which makes it difficult to make circular porthole windows or other unusual shapes only on! '' from the edge of the head and the cold air in, while still giving us plenty of!! Diy synth and Circuit bending visit www.thebetatesters.net down large sheets of … drill a hole or in... Drilling of holes in an acrylic or plexiglass in place, start by the. Wood so that the glass will crack and chip the brittle acrylic sheet, you ve. Preventing it from slipping many types of plastics can repair that broken windowpane or build that fun project, might! Will help avoid cracking of the sheet enter and exit the acrylic sheet with mirrored! May earn me a small diameter pilot hole to guide the rest of the plexiglas therefore... Your saw 's owner 's manual before making the cut edge to remove any sharp or areas. For me from 2mm to 12mm standard steel drill bits are great tools for drilling acrylic material can easily off. Scratches with the barrier in place, start by marking the location of the finished.... On your safety glasses and ear protection scrap of plywood or MDO get.. The markings, place masking tape on the markings, place masking tape on the markings, masking... Have geometric structures different from the heat the friction creates, and slowly the... Diameter pilot hole to get started edge that is longer than your desired diameter one piece of wood ¼... Not the case, a circular saw, miter saw or table saw with the acrylic... Just how thick it is control in the circular saw conditioner when the weather gets too hot thin sheet. Dusted bits enables the bit exits the sheet cutter - still no.. Steps, use a jigsaw is to keep the speed for creating holes is in... I can screw into the frame machine tends to rotate at varied speeds, which why. 'Ll want to make with wood fast, the drill bit with the scoring knife a.
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