How To Drill Acrylic Sheet

If you just drill a pilot hole then jump right to a big size bit you will likely crack the plastic.

How to drill acrylic sheet. Clamp or hold down the acrylic while you drill the hole. Buy a plexiglass drill or plexiglass drill bits that can be used with a regular drill. To drill a hole in acrylite sheet greater than 1 25 4 mm a circle cutter may be used. Score the line in the acrylic with a plastic scoring blade.

First you need to drill a small diameter pilot hole to get started. Practice with smaller pieces of scrap acrylic before attempting to drill. With the necessary equipment ensure you practice the drilling process on smaller pieces of plexiglass sheet before you work on the main sheet. The gradually go up in drill bit sizes until you reach your desired diameter.

Place the 1x4 inch piece of wood across the acrylic sheet and secure the plank to the top of the acrylic sheet. Acrylic chips can easily fly off during drilling and be a health hazard. The cutter bit must also be modified to accommodate the material properties of acrylic. If you can t get any you can also use a regular drill that would run with speed of between 500 and 100 rpm but with plexiglass drill bits.

Alternatively you can acquire plexiglass drill bits that are compatible with normal drillers. These bits have a different. Insert an acrylic point drill bit into the chuck of the drill and set it to a medium speed. Pull the blade towards you along the line.

Lay the 3 8 inch plywood on a firm flat surface that allows you to work easily and place the acrylic sheet on. Using your ruler as a guide run a plastic scoring blade along the cutting line trying to make one continuous line with gentle even pressure. Put on your safety. The tip must scrape the acrylic not gouge it.

To drill your plexiglass sheet you may consider acquiring a plexiglass drill to simplify the process. The plexiglass drill bits have geometric structures different from the traditional drill bits that allow them to puncture easily through the acrylic. If possible set the hole back at least 1 2 from the edge to prevent it from splitting like the one above.