How are you drilling into acrylic cases?

[Aarantula]

Hey all! Quick question for those of you who have done this...

How are you drilling larger gauge holes in acrylic cases to install the round vents that are commonly sold for tarantula enclosures? Thanks in advance!

 

[The Snark]

The absolute best method if available in your area: CNC water jet. Take a diagram or concise description of holes and cuts to be made to one of the competent shops. They can toss it into a computer then make any imaginable cut or hole desired in a few minutes, perfectly clean without cracking or burrs. Holes down to ~1/32 of an inch.

I watched a CNC shop cut a large display case, about 2 foot by 3 foot by 18 inches out of 1/4" acrylic including assorted holes and angle cuts.
Time it took to make every cut out of 3 foot stock: about 1 minute. The jet almost moves faster than you can see. Acrylic cuts like butter.

 

[Mirandarachnid]

You want sharp bits.

Start with a small pilot hole and work your way up to a larger size.

Look into a step bit.

 

[Tortuga]

I use a hot thumb tack or nail to melt a small starter hole. You need to have something for your bit to grab onto so it doesn't 'walk' while trying to start a hole. On metal you would use a center punch before you start a pilot hole. High speed with low pressure. Too much pressure and your material will crack. You can use masking tape to help minimize the possibility of cracking. You can also use masking tape to trace out a pattern of holes so your work will look clean. Like @Mirandarachnid said, you want sharp bits, drill your pilot hole small and step your hole up gradually. Stepped bits are awesome tools, but they can get expensive if you want a good one.

 

[Mirandarachnid]

Oh, another thing, do it in a well ventilated area, as the friction can easily produce enough heat to melt the acrylic, which causes it to give off fumes.

 

[The Snark]

 

[bulbophyllum]

Why not use a hole saw? Drill from one side on slow speed and then drill from the other to prevent blow out.

https://www.amazon.com/LENOX-Tools-...ateway&sprefix=lenox+hole+saw,aps,141&sr=8-15

 

[Tortuga]

Why not use a hole saw? Drill from one side on slow speed and then drill from the other to prevent blow out.

https://www.amazon.com/LENOX-Tools-Bi-Metal-Arbored-Technology/dp/B004YK5D68/ref=sr_1_15?crid=2W0N8Y1C2E0S&keywords=lenox+hole+saw&qid=1562809878&s=gateway&sprefix=lenox+hole+saw,aps,141&sr=8-15

If drilling on an existing enclosure it would be precarious with a hole saw and most likely not able to fit the drill in the enclosure to back drill, you’d have to support the backside to prevent cracking, stepped bits are superior in this application. And not that type of hole saw, the one you linked is for wood, a hole saw for metal that has a finer tooth would produce better results, but I’d still be worried about cracking. A hole saw or a stepped bit are still way cheaper and easier to access than a water jet CNC machine lol.

 

[Aunyanka Alexander]

You might also be able to use a soddering iron.

 

[viper69]

Hey all! Quick question for those of you who have done this...

How are you drilling larger gauge holes in acrylic cases to install the round vents that are commonly sold for tarantula enclosures? Thanks in advance!

with a drill, called a hole-saw. But you have to drill on the slow slide. If you use high rpms, you aren't drilling, you are melting.