Alternatively you can acquire plexiglass drill bits that are compatible with normal drillers.
Drilling plexiglass sheets.
Acrylic or acrylate is available in two types.
Many diy plexiglass and lexan sheet projects require a hole or two.
Because of the internal stresses it will quickly crack or break.
These bits have a different geometric structure that is designed to puncture acrylic more easily and they are less likely to melt plexiglass.
With the necessary equipment ensure you practice the drilling process on smaller pieces of plexiglass sheet before you work on the main sheet.
Any commercially available power driven equipment is acceptable for drilling acrylic sheets.
Plexiglass is a clear plastic lightweight alternative to glass.
The extruded type is in fact unsuitable for drilling.
To drill your plexiglass sheet you may consider acquiring a plexiglass drill to simplify the process.
Standard metal drill bits will work but without extensive modification the metal drill bit will crack and chip the brittle acrylic sheet.
Equipment to drill acrylic drills.
Drill bits for plexiglass lexan and other plastics.
For a thin sheet of plexiglass that is material up to about 3 16 inch thick use a scoring method not dissimilar from a technique used to cut actual glass.
Often the traditional drill bits used for metal and wood chip and crack the plexiglass while drilling through its surface.
Designed specifically for plexiglass and polycarbonate lexan these drill bits are great tools for drilling through plastic sheets.
Buy a plexiglass drill or plexiglass drill bits that can be used with a regular drill.
Drilling holes in acrylic requires the use of a drill bit specially designed for use with plastics.
Using the right kind of tools is important when working with many types of plastics.
Drilling acrylic is not difficult if you have good tools and are drilling the right kind of acrylic sheet.
While you are drilling through the plexiglass sheet the friction would produce intense heat and the bits would cause lots of plastic shavings around the hole especially if the sheet is thick.
Specialty drill bits prevent the cracking and chipping.
Cast and extruded acrylic.
Several manufacturers offer drill bits designed especially for plastics.
They are available in hardware stores and online.
Drilling holes in plexiglass can be challenging.
