Drilling acrylic tank today

ganjero · 10/08/2006, 11:02 AM

I'm drilling my acrylic tank today, should I set the drill a the lowest toque level?

Shagsbeard · 10/08/2006, 11:14 AM

Slow as you can stand it. Try your best to have low pressure, low speed. and water the bit regularly to keep it cool. If you can, mount the drill on something, but for sure you should have it steadied by some method other than by hand. Drill a pilot hole first... that can be faster as heat isn't such an issue.

reefaholic101 · 10/08/2006, 12:38 PM

goodluck

Recife · 10/08/2006, 02:26 PM

If you have someone that could help you by spraying water as you drill the hole that will control the heat. That worked for me when I drilled mine and it was a pretty thick acrylic.

pjos11 · 10/08/2006, 03:09 PM

Hi I have a lot of experience of drilling acrylic baths. I have never had a drill on SLOW speed and with a low toque. If you have a low toque the drill bit has a better chance to catch and this results in a sudden pressure on the acrylic!

My way:

1: Mark the centre of your hole.

2: Cover this area with tape (duct tape will do)This stops the bit from sliding.

3: Drill the pilot hole .

4: Use a Hole Saw drill to the size you require and place the pilot bit into your perviously drilled hole.

5: Start the drill at a fast setting and come down on the acrylic with the holesaw part of the drill.

5: Maintain the speed and with reasonable pressure drill through the material.

When I first did this I was drilling a customers Â£6000 bath!! The sweat was poring of my head

It was a cold cold day. What I learned was that if you take on this kind of job, be confident and just drill the HOLE

ganjero · 10/08/2006, 07:09 PM

thanks for the advice, when you say cover the area with duct tape, do you mean where I'm drilling? or around it?

ganjero · 10/08/2006, 08:13 PM

I was successful, I follow the instructions from the mate and everything went OK, thanks a lot.

carfac · 10/08/2006, 08:29 PM

When I drill, I usually drill through 1/2 way, then start from the other side. This is important for woods, not sure how important for acrylic... but it can't hurt. The main advantage is not getting any tears when you break through...

Good Luck!

Dave

10/08/2006, 11:02 AM	#1
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	Drilling acrylic tank today I'm drilling my acrylic tank today, should I set the drill a the lowest toque level?

10/08/2006, 03:09 PM	#5
pjos11 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 110	Hi I have a lot of experience of drilling acrylic baths. I have never had a drill on SLOW speed and with a low toque. If you have a low toque the drill bit has a better chance to catch and this results in a sudden pressure on the acrylic! My way: 1: Mark the centre of your hole. 2: Cover this area with tape (duct tape will do)This stops the bit from sliding. 3: Drill the pilot hole . 4: Use a Hole Saw drill to the size you require and place the pilot bit into your perviously drilled hole. 5: Start the drill at a fast setting and come down on the acrylic with the holesaw part of the drill. 5: Maintain the speed and with reasonable pressure drill through the material. When I first did this I was drilling a customers Â£6000 bath!! The sweat was poring of my head It was a cold cold day. What I learned was that if you take on this kind of job, be confident and just drill the HOLE __________________ Why O why O why? Current Tank Info: 56" x 30" x 29" with sump 48" x 15" x 12" Frag Tank and Water Change tank all the same size.

10/08/2006, 11:14 AM	#2
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	Slow as you can stand it. Try your best to have low pressure, low speed. and water the bit regularly to keep it cool. If you can, mount the drill on something, but for sure you should have it steadied by some method other than by hand. Drill a pilot hole first... that can be faster as heat isn't such an issue.

10/08/2006, 12:38 PM	#3
reefaholic101 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: rosemead,california Posts: 42	goodluck

10/08/2006, 02:26 PM	#4
Recife Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bellevue - WA Posts: 282	If you have someone that could help you by spraying water as you drill the hole that will control the heat. That worked for me when I drilled mine and it was a pretty thick acrylic.

10/08/2006, 07:09 PM	#6
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	thanks for the advice, when you say cover the area with duct tape, do you mean where I'm drilling? or around it?

10/08/2006, 08:13 PM	#7
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	I was successful, I follow the instructions from the mate and everything went OK, thanks a lot.

10/08/2006, 08:29 PM	#8
carfac Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 362	When I drill, I usually drill through 1/2 way, then start from the other side. This is important for woods, not sure how important for acrylic... but it can't hurt. The main advantage is not getting any tears when you break through... Good Luck! Dave