Large tank help

[SENSIREEF]

I need help and some advice in drilling 1" and larger acrylic... Any advice or information would be great..

 

[KenT]

Use a new bit and do not push hard!!! The acrylic will get very hot and melt/deform if the bit gets too hot. I stopped every 30 seconds or so and let things cool down for a minute and then continued.

 

[AuroraDave]

Build a circular dam around the area you are drilling and fill with water to keep cool.

Stopping to let the acrylic cool is OK, but remove the drill & bit. I've seen them harden around the bit and that's a pain to remove.

I bought a small drill press at Menards for < $20 the really helps since it keeps the bit level and allows you to apply slow minimal pressure to drill thru the acrylic. The press also makes the initial cut easier (before there is a hole to follow) and your bit doesn't slide around.

 

[SENSIREEF]

ok sounds good, you have any recommendations on bits? what type, brand?

 

[CMcNeil]

what size holes do you need to drill?

 

[SENSIREEF]

the problem is this is a 1000G aquaium and it is an "ARCH WAY" and I am drilling a hole on one of the verticle sheets, this sheet is 8 feet off the ground, so I will be up on a ladder.
thank you for all of your guy's help!

 

[SENSIREEF]

1 1/2" or 2"

 

[SENSIREEF]

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa185/SENSIREEF/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Here is the picture of the tank, it is still in the process of being set up obviously, just need some help on drilling.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

Make sure you are drilling theright size for the bulk head you plan to use.

A 1" bulkhead needs a 1 3/4" hole.

As others said, take your time, let it cool, and pull the hole saw out of the hole frequently to clear off the acrylic shavings, this will help keep it from sticking.

Oh, and lets see some pics!

 

[SENSIREEF]

ive drilled glass many times, but never acrylic

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

You beat me to it on the pics! nice.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

Acrylic is much easier, with the exception of the bit getting stuck due to melting.

 

[SENSIREEF]

Thanks Jeremy, I am aware that you have to over drill the size of the hole to fit the bulk head in, however I was just un sure on the proper procedures to drill acrylic, your help is greatly appreciated, really. Thank you all.

 

[SENSIREEF]

sounds good, look forward to drilling.

 

[Chihuahua6]

Whoah! That is one cool tank. Please please start a build thread. What are you going to put in there? Who built the tank? Do you have any more pictures? So cool.

 

[raskal311]

Different bulkhead brands requires different hole size so make sure you check before drilling anything. If I were you I would probably go with Schedule 80.

 

[Jar*Head]

Agree with schedule 80, esp with the CL on the bottom of that 8f tank.

 

[Elliott]

I drilled my acrylic 300g bottom, used a hand held drill press from Home Depot, duct taped 1/4" plywood down first and drilled through that, acts like a stencil so the drill won't kick out on you, was very easy, just take your time stop often remove hole saw bit each time

 

[Harleyguy]

I would also recommend that once the pilot bit comes threw the other side to then start drilling from the other side. This way you will prevent any kind of chipping or rough edges.