Metal hole saw

[Nim Dibbley]

I was going to drill on the roof of my aquarium to add a canister filter and noticed the hole saw i have says "metal." Will this not work for acrylic without cracking, etc?

 

[jcardona1]

I think it should be fine. I've used all sorts of hole saws on acrylic and never had any issues. Never paid attention to what type of hole saw it was though.

 

[jeepn4x4]

Agreed^^^^

 

[jlnguyen74]

Yes, it works. Just don't put too much pressure to avoid cracking your acrylic.

 

[bbortko]

It will be fine, just go slow so that it doest heat up enough to melt the shavings.

 

[Nim Dibbley]

The plan here is to use the drill on a piece of wood first and then use that as a template to keep the drill straight. also i could add water inside the hole of wood to help keep it cool.

Ideally, i dont want to drain the water level of the tank at all, but i have seen several suggestions to put a piece of wood or something as a brace on the other side of the tank. While i am sure it is a good idea is it really necessary?

It is also going to be nearly impossible to drill upward even with a lower water level because of the size and location of the existing holes. A lot of online sources suggest it but is that necessary?

 

[bbortko]

The hole saw should have a pilot bit, usually 1/4". Drill a 1/4" whole with a normal bit then follow with the whole saw and the whole will stray true as long as you start with the whole saw flush with the acrylic. Drill from the top with one hand and hold a cup under the hole to catch bros

 

[Nim Dibbley]

it does have a pilot. sounds easy enough. wish me luck

 

[jlnguyen74]

Drill from the top. If you worry that the debris fall into tank water, get an empty styrofoam cup and place it inside the tank, right under the area that you,re going to drill (tank water will push the cup against the area you going to drill). You can also pour/spray some water to the area when you're drilling to keep it cool and not melting

 

[boldtogether]

Drill from the top. If you worry that the debris fall into tank water, get an empty styrofoam cup and place it inside the tank, right under the area that you,re going to drill (tank water will push the cup against the area you going to drill). You can also pour/spray some water to the area when you're drilling to keep it cool and not melting