Diamond Grit Hole Saw to Cut Acrylic?

[Kengar]

I need to plumb a glass tank to an acrylic sump. I will be cutting own bulkhead holes. Question: If I use the same diamond grit hole saw for both, will the acrylic "gum up" and render useless the edges of the hole saw? Thanks.

 

[jmm]

I don't really know the answer to that from experience, but I do know that that bit is not required for acrylic. Any thing that cuts wood will cut acrylic. And those bits are cheap. I wouldn't even try it.

 

[slief]

I think it will gum up.

 

[mcgyvr]

Nope.. You cannot use a diamond grit hole saw on acrylic..
It will certainly gum it up in no time.. Do not do that..

Just get a regular one for wood and it will work just fine on the acrylic..

 

[Kengar]

thanks.

(The notion that, given all the other money I've thrown into this project, I would be trying to save the extra 15 to buy a regular hole saw in addition to the glass one is sort of silly, now isn't it.......?)

 

[ca1ore]

Yes, wood or bimetal hole saw on plastic. Diamond grit hole saws have no pilot bit anyhow; you'll just make a big 'ol mess.

 

[Kengar]

YDiamond grit hole saws have no pilot bit anyhow; you'll just make a big 'ol mess.

They might not have pilot bit, but I'VE got one of those old-fashioned tripod-style hole-saw drill presses!

 

[ca1ore]

They might not have pilot bit, but I'VE got one of those old-fashioned tripod-style hole-saw drill presses!

Those are cool and the best way to grind a hole in glass. My old LFS did holes that way and he claimed to never having cracked a tank.

 

[Kengar]

Those are cool and the best way to grind a hole in glass. My old LFS did holes that way and he claimed to never having cracked a tank.

I bought it on ebay for about 200 a few years ago. This will be first use of it. I won't drill hole (again) even in acrylic without it. Previously, I used regular hole saw with pilot bit, starting by drilling an even smaller pilot hole first, when shooting first pair of holes in the sump for dual exits back to DT using hand drill. I had hole saw sized for the ABS bulkheads I had, but with chatter/wobble and slight "seizing" as the pilot bit grabbed the acrylic, I ended up with larger hole than intended and had to use some schedule 80 bulkheads instead to fill the larger holes.

For the next set of holes (glass on one tank, to be hooked inline to the acrylic sump), I will be starting with intent to use schedule 80 bulkheads, so need to ensure accurate diameter from the start. Tripod press will ensure that.

I knew that these things existed from using one many many times at an LFS (long-closed) I used to hang out at many years ago.