Plexiglass Problem

idcook · Post by **idcook** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:40 pm

Working on a project using frosted plexiglass and having a devil of a time trying to drill holes in the stuff without the bit getting stuck at one point or another.

Anybody here know how this can be done?

Thank for your help.

ddub · Post by **ddub** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:05 pm

I use plunge router bits, not drill bits. They do make regular drill bits for plastic also. I have heard of running a std bit in reverse but never tried it.

I also drill polycarbonate, not plexiglass. They do have different cutting/drilling characteristics.

http://www.eplastics.com/Plexiglass_Lexan_Plastic_Drill_Bits/DB-375?gclid=CjwKEAjw8O2hBRDKur2lseLW6C8SJAC-r1J3meweMTFTmOOmAsrzL9K_zxp2IxcMnqzOss8xVVzj7RoCPG7w_wcB

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:19 pm

Slow RPMs.

Slow feed.

Well secured.

Keep it all cool and steady.

I think (Sharp)brad point bits work better.

wrdavis · Post by **wrdavis** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:26 pm

I use drill bits for plastic. The tip is ground at a much sharper angle.

ddub · Post by **ddub** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:25 pm

JPG,
I could see where those would work well.

idcook, how thick of plexiglass are you drilling?

idcook · Post by **idcook** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 4:05 am

ddub wrote:JPG,
I could see where those would work well.

idcook, how thick of plexiglass are you drilling?

Sorry folks; I found myself asleep before checking here. Thanks for the answers and info supplied so far.

ddub, I was hoping I hadn't failed to include the thickness; alas!

They're a tad shy of one inch thick.

I found a bunch of the stuff at a local junkyard. Been buying slabs, roughly 25" x 35", at five bucks each for the past few months. I'll likely wind up buying all he has.

He called it plexiglass so I say the same whenever he and I do a deal. However, the stuff cuts pretty easily on a tablesaw. Producing consistent, snowy chips but begins to melt after two minutes or so. It doesn't stick to the blade but builds up behind it.

It also drills pretty easily, but when I stop it immediately cools and hardends onto the bit.

I'll run some tests for speed before drilling the final pieces.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 10:56 am

idcook wrote:Sorry folks] it immediately cools and hardends onto the bit.[/color]

I'll run some tests for speed before drilling the final pieces.

SLOW it down!!!!!!!!

idcook · Post by **idcook** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 2:15 pm

JPG wrote:SLOW it down!!!!!!!!

Got it chief: Slooooooooowwwwww.

Will do.

idcook · Post by **idcook** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:20 pm

Thanks again all.

JPG – slow going was definitely the shot. A cordless hand drill produced a nice clean opening.