patching and drilling acrylic

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Charney

Charney

The Fish Doctor
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I picked up a used 160 8ft x 2ft x 16 inches. the tank is 1/2 inch acrylic. It has one drain on the bottom with I believe a 2 inch bulk head. I need to patch over this bulk head hole since it will not work with my stand. What thickness acrylic do I need to use for the patch? Can I go thinner then 1/2 inch? Also I want to drill the tank for two to three two inch bulk heads (considering maybe bigger). I am plumbing this tank with a 180g. the plan is to run a laguna 2000 or 2400. How can I tell if I can put the two to three bulk heads on the back panel which would be perfered or if I have to drill the bottom of the tank? If I can drill the back panel how determine best placement? Thanks for the input, this is all new to me




 
If you're just patching the hole, a 1/4" patch will work....just don't place a big rock on it...
As far as drilling for the bulkheads, I would place them on the back panel.
 
agreed...u can patch the bottom with 1/4"-3/8" if u dont want to use 1/2"...i recommend sanding the patch...and the tank area with 60 grit paper and using weld on #40 two part epoxy to glue the patch on. this is the best glue available for acrylic tank construction or repairs.. as for the holes drill with a regular small tooth hole saw used for wood/carpentry and u can put the holes wherever you desire. i usually drill my holes half on one side and half on the other to avoid chipping and getting the bit stuck in the material. also recommend a battery powered drill... the electric drills have 2 much torq and heat up the acrylic alot leading to the bit getting siezed in the hole
 
thank you guys for the input. Can I used a battery powered impact driver drill for the acrylic or will this be problematic? My drill just died on me so going to buy a new one tomorrow any recommendations?
 
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Charney said:
thank you guys for the input. Can I used a battery powered impact driver drill for the acrylic or will this be problematic? My drill just died on me so going to buy a new one tomorrow any recommendations?
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the driver will prob b ok if u take ur time... drills/drivers with 2 much torq have given me troubles but nothing detrimental. just annoying when the bit gets stuck and the drill tries 2 twist ur arm off lol... i use a $60 black and decker 18v for drilling glass and acrylic... sometimes it takes longer but its never let me down. i guess the best advice is dont try 2 just blow right through the hole in one pass... the acrylic and its shavings heat up and clog the hole. take a break during...blow out the acrylic dust, let everything cool down a bit and resume.... i just used a drill press for the first time recently on a piece of 1"... got 2 hot...bit got stuck and took me over an hr. to remove it. patience is a virtue lol
 
Modeling clay.
Get some modeling clay and build a little moat around the drilling sight and fill it with water. The water keeps the hole saw cool during the drilling process.
wednesday13 said:
the driver will prob b ok if u take ur time... drills/drivers with 2 much torq have given me troubles but nothing detrimental. just annoying when the bit gets stuck and the drill tries 2 twist ur arm off lol... i use a $60 black and decker 18v for drilling glass and acrylic... sometimes it takes longer but its never let me down. i guess the best advice is dont try 2 just blow right through the hole in one pass... the acrylic and its shavings heat up and clog the hole. take a break during...blow out the acrylic dust, let everything cool down a bit and resume.... i just used a drill press for the first time recently on a piece of 1"... got 2 hot...bit got stuck and took me over an hr. to remove it. patience is a virtue lol
Click to expand...
 
boldtogether said:
Modeling clay.
Get some modeling clay and build a little moat around the drilling sight and fill it with water. The water keeps the hole saw cool during the drilling process.
Click to expand...

ive never tried water with acrylic.... worth a shot, solid advice.
 
wednesday13 said:
ive never tried water with acrylic.... worth a shot, solid advice.
Click to expand...

This is the only way I drill acrylic....inless it is small holes....and then speed is everything....to slow and........crack.
You dont have to build a little dam....a large sponge soaked in water and dribbling on the drill sight works too...like colorsanding a car....
 
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