Can glass drill bits be used to drill acrylic?

[cherubfish pair]

Can glass drill bits be used to drill acrylic?

 

[bpiermat]

I believe I tried this...and it works so long as you keep the acrylic cool w/ fluid. Or modify the drill bit.

 

[a4twenty]

i would think that the diamond drill bit would work but may melt the acrylic and foul the bit. i use a regular hole saws with some water / soap mixture for cooling and lubrication. you have to do it in small steps and take your time. if you try to force or rush it you will crack the acrylic. use short burst ( 15 to 30 sec. ) and when the drill isn't turning take it out of the material ( if you are starting to melt the acrylic the bit will get 'glued' to the piece ) clean the teeth of the bit each time as well.

oh yeah when i said use burst i didn't mean full blast shots as this would generate to much heat. you want to shave the material away slowly not melt your way through. :rollface:

 

[stevenp]

I've done this and it works fine. As others said, just make sure it's wet, clean the swarf out of the cut often, and constantly check for build up on the hole saw and remove it with your fingernails.

IMO it worked better than a regular hole saw.

Steve

 

[cherubfish pair]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7013023#post7013023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stevenp
I've done this and it works fine.......and constantly check for build up on the hole saw......IMO it worked better than a regular hole saw.

You're saying you've done this with a hole saw, but the diamond bit, "worked better than a regular hole saw?"