Anyone in Corona/Ontario can drill acrylic?

[hipertec]

Anyone in Corona/Ontario can help me drill my 180 gallon arcylic tank? Its 1/2" thick and Im looking at 2 holes about 1 3/4" on the top of the tank.
I never drilled a tank before and would prefer someone that has done this before to do my tank.. thanks!

 

[DRC69]

Well its been a while for me. I used WD-40, 1/2" drill and the right hole-saw for the job. The secret is to NOT to go fast with the drill speed and use plenty of WD-40. You can always clean the tank good with Dawn and/or white vinegar to remove the WD. I just did my sump a while ago but it was only 3/8" thick. SLOOOOOW on the speed and plenty of WD-40 keep it straight keep the speed-down so you don't build-up a lot of HEET. Got it.
DC

 

[gcarroll]

Charles, I have the hole saws if you need them. I bought them to drill my sump and then had my friend drill it so I could blame him if it was done wrong.

 

[Wilafur]

diy. get some hole saw from hd or lowes and a high torque drill and have at it. occassionally spray water on the acrylic as it can heat up and melt onto the hole saw.

 

[JE]

i just got a 1-3/4" bit if you need to borrow im in downey. i just drilled 8 holes in my 3/8" thick tank. when i ran it slower it got hot. therefore i ran water on it. i ran it at a higher speed and before it could get hot, it got through the hole alot smoother, cooler, and the hole came out clean.

drill at a speed that when the shavings come out they are as long as possible. they will look like a corkscrew. for me that was at a higher speed and pressure.

 

[slavearm]

Use blue painters tape on both sides of the hole prior to drilling. It will help prevent cracking/chipping.

 

[wakesetter]

It is really easy. I say you have got to be nuts to use wd40 I have drilled tons of tanks with not a whole lot of care and never cracked or broken one. It is as easy as drilling wood. Just don't push REALLY hard and the acrylic should not break. As lame as it sounds, make sure that the drill is going the right direction. I know some bonehead that had it set in reverse and cracked a tank that way.

 

[wakesetter]

It is really easy. I say you have got to be nuts to use wd40 I have drilled tons of tanks with not a whole lot of care and never cracked or broken one. It is as easy as drilling wood. Just don't push REALLY hard and the acrylic should not break. As lame as it sounds, make sure that the drill is going the right direction. I know some bonehead that had it set in reverse and cracked a tank that way.