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whats the best way of drilling holes in acrylic?

Posted by Colin Aburrow on 18 September 2006 at 14:41

Hi all

Just wondered what the best way of drilling holes in acrylic sheets without the bloody thing scratching, cracking or shattering. I know I read something about this on here some time ago but now i need the info I can’t seem to be able to find it now. (Must learn how to use search options)

Thanks
Colin

Checkers replied 19 years ago 10 Members · 11 Replies
11 Replies

David White

Member
18 September 2006 at 14:42

Id masking tape the entry point have a new sharp drill bit a drill with a fairly fast speed and something underneath to drill into
Colin Aburrow

Member
18 September 2006 at 14:52

Hi Dave

Have tried using high speed drill but it seems to bite into the sheet and rip. Do you know if you need a special drill bit for acrylic.

Thanks

Colin
Nick Minall

Member
18 September 2006 at 14:55

Try Lip & Spur Drill Bits and you need to have some wood under it too.
Andy Gorman

Member
18 September 2006 at 15:14

I use standard bits (for steel). Brand new ones tend to grab the acrylic a bit so be careful or use a slightly blunt bit. The most important thing is to hold the acrylic down very tight, especially as you break through with the drill.
David Rogers

Member
18 September 2006 at 15:32

Easy way to stop it cracking is to sandwich it between a couple of offcuts and drill through. (Standard HSS drills)

Next best way is acrylic UNDER it only and the drill will continue to cut like it’s one piece & not jump.

If it’s a big hole a standard FLAT wood bit, or spade drill works wonders. I’ve drilled up to 40mm this way.

Dave
Colin Aburrow

Member
18 September 2006 at 16:07

Thanks Guys

I think I need to practise a bit using your ideas. I have to drill holes in 8’x4′ sheets so if I mess up it’s going to work out expensive.

Thanks for your tips its always good to find out how other people tackle these little niggles.

Colin
Richard Urquhart

Member
18 September 2006 at 17:26

i have drilled loads of holes last week in 5mm acrylic

a new drill bit is a real no no !!
it will dig in big time causing all sorts of problems i use a blunt bit or with bench grinder make the angle greater if that make sense

let the drill do the work
it worked well for me

i remember drilling triangles last year 20 mm in from the edge not leaving much acrylic either side of drill hole
first time nice brand new bit and lost the corners every time blunt bit job done

rich
Steve Morgan

Member
18 September 2006 at 17:46

I seem to remember regrinding the point angle to 60º rather than use the normal 118º. It makes a ‘sharper’ point on the drill but I think I still clamped the acrylic down.
If you are going to attempt to regrind , it must be done accurately if not and the centre is offset you can finish up drilling an 8mm hole with a 5mm drill!
MartinDenton

Member
18 September 2006 at 18:11

The best way to do it is with a glass / tile drill. I have experimented with all types and with a glass drill I can drill acrylic of any thickness 20mm from the edge at full pressure in one go without fear of cracking or even a splintered edge

if you you go the this site they sell a full range at good prices
http://www.drillbitdepot.com/GLASS_x38_ … TS2255.htm

also while I’m at it use a flat wood bit for drilling dibond as this cuts as neat hole rather than a jagged edge that can occur on larger holes
Kevin Flowers

Member
18 September 2006 at 22:33

Hi guys
i went to my local engineering supplies shop told them i was drilling acylic & they supplied a different ground drill for acrylic, can’t for the life of me what it was ground to though. It worked fine though.

Kev
Checkers

Member
19 September 2006 at 15:27

Here’s the ideal way…
http://www.plasticsmag.com/features.asp … Sep/Oct-01

Checkers
a.k.a. Brian Born
Harrisburg, PA USA