Question About Drilling Holes in Acrylic Drip Tray

[13784]

From what I've read on this web site, most of the questions pertaining to drilling holes in acrylic are for bulk heads. I'll be drilling holes into an acrylic tray, starting with 1/16", then possibly enlarging these holes. Would there be a problem if I used a standard wood drill bit? I heard there were drill bits made specifically for acrylic, but my thinking is 1/16" was pretty small and the type of bit would not be an issue. Your thoughts? Thanks.

 

[outlaw]

my only advice would be to not put pressure on the acrlyic at all let the drill do the work. too much pressure will crack just about anything that you are drilling.

 

[midnight]

also spraying it with a lil water will help
but ya it should work,not sure if it will dull the bit fast.
1/16 might be to small and the bit might get hot fast and snap easy
most of my d plates are 1/8 holes
but dont make them 1/8 on my part tho cus i have no clue what your up 2
good luck

 

[amehel0]

1/16 will crack very easily. i managed to crack 8mm(roughly 1/3rd inch) using a fine bladed jig saw so i think that 1/4 inch would be minimum size
i would use a metal bit with slow speed rating

 

[LextacySC]

I used a strong cardboard box and set the acrylic on top. You get the idea. All I had available at the time was a masonary bit and it worked great. If its for a drip plate, it may take a while. I have over 250 holes in my square foot drip plate

 

[amehel0]

yes thats y there so expensive so many holes

 

[fishdance]

How thick is the acrylic? You could use a hot soldering iron and push it through faster? I would just use an old undergravel plate myself.

 

[ziggy2]

The wood bit will gum up. Use a low speed metal bit.