How To Drill Acrylic And Other Brittle Plastics

[@addisondavis8876]

Whew! Well done. So many 'how to' videos simply fill the air with unnecessary chatter. This was clean, straight and to the point. Proven by the "Because I'm tired of this demo" comment! Thank you!

[@ViceChief]

Thank you!

[@ChristmasEve777]

LOL that comment was priceless. "I'm tired of this demo".

[@davidbray1763]

To drill acrylic without chipping and cracking, a twist drill needs to be sharpened with rake angle closer to zero so as to produce more of a scraping action, rather than cutting. By sharpening the drill bit the way you have, in effect achieves the same result, although I prefer to leave the conventional point angle on the drill and 'dub' the cutting edge. Either way works. The reason step drills are so good for acrylic is that by the nature of their design, they already have zero rake angle at the edges that do all the cutting. A similar principle applies to drilling brass.

[@jenniferdarnell8492]

3: 3:13 02

[@user-qw9yp7bt6h]

I followed his advice and it worked. No chips, no problems. Thanks KZbinr!

[@ViceChief]

So glad it was helpful! Thanks for reporting back.

[@kenthowe4966]

Thank you! You helped save me $100. I broke a drawer on our new fridge. With your tips, I was able to drill holes and attach brackets to fix the drawer.

[@ViceChief]

Congrats on fixing your drawer! That's awesome, I'm really glad to hear it.

[@feriasexta]

I wanted to thank you for this video. I had a specialized piece of circular acrylic into which I had to drill three holes in order to secure it to a clock face. I was sweating bullets as in the past I tried (very unsuccessfully) to cut an acrylic sheet down to size for a different project. So brittle and finicky. I followed both your recommendations on shaping the drill bit tip, and using soap, and the drilled holes were absolutely perfect the first time. Thanks so much!

[@ViceChief]

That's phenomenal, I'm so glad that it helped you! Years ago (pre-YT), I was in a similar situation so I can relate! Only later did someone show me these tricks.

[@dscritter614]

Dish soap is great 4 drilling n2 a chunk of acrylic using a forstner bit too.

[@dncook1955]

Thank you for the tips, never thought of using a sep drill for the holes I need to bore today or using soap.. great job.

[@ViceChief]

David, it's great to hear that this was useful to you and I hope your job goes smoothly!

[@FrederickTSchurgerDC]

The soap trick alone was worth the watch! Thank you!!!

[@ViceChief]

You're welcome!

[@moovintruespace994]

Love the bit where you said you're tired of this demo! Thanks for your time. Great demo..

[@ViceChief]

Thanks for noticing and thanks for commenting!

[@moovintruespace994]

@@ViceChief Sure 😊

[@bernhard_derProtoTyp]

Oh! Great tips! I was aware that there are special acrylic drill bits that have a much higher point angle but never tried to sharpen one for that. And never ever would have thought that it is so easy. Super nice!!! Thanks again! I had great luck with new, clean steel drillbits with slightly dull cutting flutes/tip (just a few strokes with a diamond file or 400grid sandpaper)

[@ViceChief]

Cheers! I hope your prototyping tips channel takes off, you do great stuff. I kinda gave up on YT after a while... perhaps I'll start posting again someday.

[@brucecarsten9956]

I've found that even conventional drills work well to create smooth holes when lubricated (and cooled) with water and a little dish soap (say, 1% to 10%). I've even used this to drill very deep holes, 5 to 10 times the drill diameter, but you do need to keep backing the drill out to clear the chips, and do keep the hole flooded with the lubricant with a brush or squeeze bottle. As noted, slow speeds work best, but not TOO slow or the plastic can begin to fracture instead of cut. (I've modified my drill press to use a dc motor, with fixed voltage on the shunt field winding and a variable dc voltage on the armature for speed control, minimizing the need for pulley changes and allowing spindle speeds down to a few RPM. The armature supply also has an adjustable current limit, allowing the stall torque to be set independently, which I find handy at times to minimize damage to the work.)

[@alienfunbug]

5 year old video and still useful as ever. Thank you!

[@ViceChief]

hell yes thanks for the feedback! i guess acrylic will always drill the same, huh. cheers and good luck on your projects!

[@makers_lab]

Perfect explanation, thanks. And that step drill is impressive, going through like it was butter.

[@danerachaelgustafson5941]

Wish I had watched this video before breaking my $20 sheet of plexi-glass today ^_^ Thank you though, I am looking forward to getting this job done right with your help.

[@ViceChief]

Hey Dane & Rachael, sorry to hear about your plexi. I know the feeling having ruined quite a bit of it myself. Please let us all know how it works out, and good luck!

[@MrRunner]

Having done this for years, I will share: A regular drill bit is fine, but it must be sharp and web thinned. If you don't know how to sharpen a drill, learn, or buy a jig. Next, do NOT use battery powered drills, they are too slow. Drill presses are best as they are stable and allow for clamping the workpiece firmly over a solid cutable substrate, like wood. If you don't have a press, use an corded electric drill. Example: to drill a 5mm hole in acrylic requires a speed of 2500 r/m, which a cord drill will do, whereas battery drills run at 1500 max. Next, it's the feed. Slow feed, clearing often. If you feed too fast, the acrylic will melt, if the drill is blunt it will melt, no matter what you do. Hope this helps someone.

[@peterbarlow8912]

Step drills are great for all kinds of thin stock. They don’t get sucked in on break through like a fluted twist drill. Chose one with steps taller than the stock thickness or the holes will be stepped.

[@richarddoan9172]

Summary: 1. Sharpen drill bit to a point, or use step drills for larger holes. 2. Fully support the sheet with plywood backing. (You will drill through to the wood.) 3. Use low rpm. 4. Lubricate the bit with dish soap.

[@cosmicbrambleclawv2]

Very helpful! I had to modify my new name-badge for work to accept the old badge's clip thing, and this helped a lot. I didn't sharpen my bit any, but I did start my holes by drilling in reverse and then flicked it to forward and it came out clean as a whistle

[@ViceChief]

Nice! Glad it was helpful and congrats on a successful mod!

[@michaelcardona7397]

WOW,,fantastic short video; without all the high tech talk on how and why, your explanations and samples on the video are right to the point; i want to build a box for a project and I don't have the money to buy a piece 2 x 4 of PVC at Home Depot; my neighbor through out a piece of Plastic Acrylic and it was like my blessing until I realized it's brittle and will crack easily if you don't know how to handle it, KZbin and Vice Chief provided that bridge I needed to feel confident my project will be a success; I will come back & let you know how it went; Thank You Michael C.

[@ViceChief]

This made my day, may the DIY project gods smile on you! ;) Looking forward to hearing back.

[@jayc3110]

That was a wonderful demonstration! Crisp, and to the point. Thank you and best wishes.

[@ViceChief]

Cheers Jay, good luck with your projects!

[@darrylknox5919]

For absolue best result, have your piece backed by another piece of acrylic rather than wood. If done right, the bit never even realizes it has gone through the piece and you have a perfect hole, ( :

[@ViceChief]

Great suggestion.

[@sethtrey]

Is it the drill's sudden realization that causes the issue? Is it a good generalization to never surprise your tools?

[@nathanjeffrey4637]

@@sethtrey you laugh but probably yes.

[@mycompasstv]

Great tips, thou I find that for me, a forstner bit is the absolute best for cutting holes into plastic bar and sheets.

[@ViceChief]

They are great, the cutting action can be improved with soapy water as well.

[@mycompasstv]

@@ViceChief Yes I agree, soapy water is a good tip, as well it keeps down on the plastic dust. 😀

[@rodsnyder6020]

Thanks for the tip with the dish soap. Worked out for me very well.

[@ViceChief]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad it worked out.

[@hestheMaster]

I wonder how well this would work on 1/8" thick cardboard and a step drill bit on making a replacement old tube type wood radio rear cover? Tubes got pretty warm so some source of ventilation and protection from touching anything back there when it is on would be needed. Great ideas here !

[@vaidyan5]

Works brilliantly well...Great tutorial.

[@hitthedrum]

Thanks for the tips! I'm going to try this tomorrow when my acrylic gets delivered for my 3d printer enclosure.

[@Crispyyy7]

hitthedrum how did it go?

[@mickswagger6086]

He died and can't answer

[@James_Bowie]

Very useful tutorial. Thanks! Do you have any suggestion/recommendation for reinforcing such holes in 6mm thick acrylic? I'm thinking maybe grommets or eyelets?

[@briangalyer8140]

Hi, Thanks for the video, it has saved me a fortune in ruined acrylic sheets.

[@ViceChief]

Brian, this was really cool to hear. Thanks for coming back and letting me know. And good luck with all your plastics projects in the future!

[@cramersclassics]

Excellent audio, video and narration! Just subscribed. Cheers -Kirb

[@5toesonthenose]

Good on ya mate - easily understood and clear instructions .... cool!

[@ViceChief]

Thank you so much!

[@jtbmetaldesigns]

Dish soap works for sure but be aware of the potential for rust on tooling. You’ll need a rust inhibitor. I use WD40 and get a very fine edge. For hand sawing acrylic,I use 3 in 1 oil. Saw blade is less “grabby” with the oil.

[@ViceChief]

Good points - another thing to consider is that some acrylics and other plastics will "craze" with the solvents in some aerosols. As always, it's a good idea to do a test on a piece you don't care about,.

[@XDFcooler]

Thank dude. I've got a plastic caddy 4 an SSD. Most caddies join from the side. The HDD joins from underneath, so I have 2 drill the holes myself!

[@richardmourdock2719]

very helpful... special place in heaven for inventor of step drill bits....

[@AmrHollywood]

Now, i need to counterbore the holes for hex socket head cap screws in thicker material, good tips to get me started - see they make different taps as well

[@ViceChief]

I've seen (but don't know where to find) stepped tools that can drill the pilot hole and counterbore in one operation. Something to consider.

[@Ianduncanqld1]

So…. Assuming someone sees this extremely useful video after making a few cracks on holes in acrylic, any tips on fixing cracks?? 😊

[@ViceChief]

I've heard of people filling them with the liquid form of acrylic cement, but have never done it myself.

[@walterloo1959]

Wonderful tip. This is what I am looking for. I hope to drill 5mm x 48 holes for 4 pieces of acrylic 3mm thick sheet, for my Anycubic Pulley 3D printer. I will search for my step drill bit. If I can't find it, will have no choice but to Diy a metal bit.

[@OurCatioHome]

Thank you for sharing these tips! What's your thoughts on a "Plastic Drill Pack"? I feel a lot more confident about drilling into the flanged of an acrylic dome for mounting.

[@jennahill6870]

thank you, I wish I had watched this video before I ruined 3 plexi sheets. I'm going to try your tips right now

[@ViceChief]

Good luck!

[@dashboy007]

Excellent video and information!! Do you have any suggestions for drilling odd shapes? Making a faceplate using Lexan sheet in which I want to make holes for XT60 and XT90 connectors.

[@nerdinside8242]

“Because I’m tired of this demo” lol

[@DrFillyBlunt]

I recently made some electrical panel faceplates and I was curious between the difference of polycarbonate and acrylic. I bought both to demo them. I just have a regular drill with cheap crappy bits, needless to say the PC was SIGNIFICANTLY more forgiving to work with than the acrylic, not as scratch resistant as acrylic though unfortunately. Nice tip though, probably easier and cheaper to do it this way than buy specialty bits for acrylic.

[@ViceChief]

You're right about polycarbonate -it's tougher and actually you can buy it in scratch resistant grades. However it can't be processed with lasers or heat like acrylic, and thermoforming polycarbonate takes more care.

[@pdwhalen]

Good advice! Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@ViceChief]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, Patrick. Glad to know it was useful.

[@Tinnerito]

Do i have to have a surface beneath where I am drilling into when drilling acrylic? Or can the acrylic hang off of a surface and I drill from there without the wood underneath?

[@ViceChief]

If you drill without a supporting surface underneath, it tends to crack around the hole as the drill breaks through.

[@Tinnerito]

@@ViceChief okay, thank you!😊

[@Chogogo717]

I used to dull up cheap Jobber bits with a concrete block for drilling aircraft windows. It helped the but not to grab and tear out.

[@wewatchmovies4446]

Thank you for the information man

[@rickseeman5679]

Thank you, I needed that

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

I have a 28mm hole I need to enlarge to a 30mm hole in a sheet of thin acrylic. I am terrified it will crack. Do they make step bits the size I'm looking for, 30mm (1.1811 inch)? If not, what would you recommend? Thanks.

[@chriscampbell3279]

Masterfully done brother. Ty

[@tracybrislin]

Wow This video made my day to say the least!

[@rdmevX]

Recently I have been using chainsaw chain lubricant for all of my metal drilling. It has a kind of weird viscosity like snail snot. I wonder how it would work with acrylic rather than dish soap? Might be worth a try.

[@dekebell3307]

EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thanks so much, sub'd

[@ViceChief]

Thanks for the sub!

[@verdammtesarschlochs6148]

i want to use my chpping boards for this internal rigid backing that hangs on the pannier rack but i think maybe no so much weigh to carry

[@verdammtesarschlochs6148]

and can you use this holed plastic to make a hanging hoocked thing that can take a bit of weight? bolted on to hoocks.or will it be brittle and snap at the bolt holes?

[@dave_ecclectic]

You can also buy acrylic bits that are already sharpened to this pointy tip. I find that you don't need a set since you are generally drilling only a few different sized holes in plastic. This is the same as buying left hand drill bits to remove broken screws, you only need a few sizes.

[@connorhillary3412]

Right at the end of a project and smashed my last sheet! I guess I didn’t support it enough and it shattered, thanks for the vid

[@garylanders1470]

Awsome tips!

[@Caleta280]

I hammered mine. Worked like a charm

[@Meticularius]

5/31/2020 USA Grandpa Bill Thank you! for this demo. I needed it.

[@ViceChief]

You're welcome! Glad you found it useful.

[@Load_the_ducks]

HOT DAMN! Any advice for widening the bore of acrylic/polycarbonate tubing?

[@citnetwork5407]

Great info, exactly what I needed! Thanx!!

[@nayanmipun6784]

Thank you

[@neilbarnett3046]

What's the tinkling noise about 5 seconds after you start to drill?

[@HarmonHeat]

Thanks for the tips chief! I haven't seen you in a while, have you been posting? I hope I didn't miss any vids!

[@ViceChief]

Justen! You haven't missed a thing. I just got really busy here. Super glad to see you man!

[@HarmonHeat]

They say being busy is a good thing, although it may not always feel that way. I'm glad to see you've come back. You have almost 1,000 subs now. Time to give the people what they want, more vids!

[@mitchmomlc]

only drilling into thin monotube plastic. used wood drill through plastic on top of wood. works well

[@brotherjason8635]

Worked a great, thanks for sharing 👍

[@verdammtesarschlochs6148]

so would a masonite board or plastic board be better? plastic is waterproof

[@DarkMice5529]

Great vid! I’m still scared! 😂😒

[@groverbundy899]

Just try it, you can always buy more

[@hamilartdesign2256]

Excellent video. Do you have to sharpen the tip of step drill too?

[@Hstudiosproductions]

Question, i don't have a drill press and the grinding machine. Just the corded drill. Can I use the spur bit that was used for wood?

[@ViceChief]

It's dangerous.

[@RiazShah90]

if it's to act as lubricant, would it have the same effect as WD40?

[@cccoinsmore681]

Worked perfectly, thanks.

[@morkthebuilder9943]

Thanks matey. Really good

[@emiliog.4432]

Drill bits like this are available commercially. Different types of plastics require different methods. A low run out drill press helps immensely. I.e the Hamilton.

[@randyearles1634]

helpful video without alot of added b.s. Thanks

[@christopherjames5192]

I have 4 1/8” 4x8 foot sheets to drill and attach to a wood frame this week and I’m stressing! Pretty small holes (for #8 screws) but I’m wondering if I can countersink the holes for the wood screws?

[@ViceChief]

You can. You'll want a very sharp countersink with the right angle (I think with imperial screws it's 82 degrees). Personally I would try a single flute countersink after drilling the hole for the #8. Use the same soap/glycerin trick I used here with the countersink tool. With material that thin you will also want some way to control how deep the countersink goes, like a depth stop on a drill press. Good luck!

[@marvindockery4202]

Great video

[@ViceChief]

Thank you, Marvin Dockery.

[@DrTune]

sweet sweet tips

[@ypaulbrown]

of course they are clean holes, you used soap for a lubricant......cheers, good information

[@geoffrey783]

Great video. Do you think a Forstner bit also be suitable, especially if a thicker piece requires only drilling 'partially' through depth-wise and also requires a flat bottomed hole, instead of one that goes right through (granted, there will still be a small entrance hole in the middle of the flat, although don't think that can be avoided unless a 'milling bit' is somehow used, then these are less easy to 'locate' and drill with I'd imagine!)? I wonder how the finish would be using the Forstner anyways too!? Thanks for any further advice/tips on this if able:)

[@ViceChief]

Good question, to be honest I really don't know how well a forstner bit would work. A lot depends on the size of the hole. In that situation I'd look for an end mill (a center cutting end mill) instead. One that's extremely sharp, and has no special coatings for metal.

[@GeorgeMinton-jb8ky]

Can you cut acrylic if you warm it up a little bit before cutting it?

[@TheDunker86]

a laser cutter works well to.. and you are not limited to circular holes

[@ViceChief]

very true, just limited somewhat in thickness (over 1/2" pretty much out of the question)

[@nodivisions]

Nice video and nice clean holes : ) But let's say I don't have a drill press nor a grinder. And I want to drill a hole in something bigger: a 2" acrylic sphere (and quarter-inch hole). I do have a vise to hold the ball, and a good quality variable-speed drill. Any chance this would work, using the soap trick and an unmodified bit? Or is there a special (but non-step) bit I can buy?

[@nodivisions]

Actually, I see I can buy bits just like this on Amazon. So... special bit, soap trick, but no drill press. Will it blend? Er... will it work? These acrylic balls are cheap so I'll probably end up testing it out one way or another.

[@tonidesrocher9248]

Will the step drill bit enlarge existing holes? I need to be able to secure a rubbermaid trash can from blowing around but the holes are just a tad too small for the bungee cord.

[@ViceChief]

Yeah, they do a pretty good job of that in my experience.

[@XeviousGG]

..what about for people that dont have a drill press?

[@enriquecruz9162]

Handheld will work too

[@electronicsafrica]

thanks for sharing

[@percyperanamus7432]

really informative! is this at all worth trying for someone who doesn't have this elaborate of a set up? There's a project I'd like to try with drilling fairly smaller holes in acrylic ( maybe a smidge thinner then the one shown here ) to have a hole to feed a key chain link through. I think I could find a way to have the acrylic clamp and reinforced but I don't have the kind of drill featured here and would most likely be doing it hand held- is it worth trying or strongly not recommended?

[@ViceChief]

This also works hand-held, I've done it a few times. Run your drill on the slow speed and hold it straight. Do consider picking up a small drill press. For the money, they are one of the best tools you can have.

[@percyperanamus7432]

@@ViceChief thanks so much for taking the time to get back to me! I will absolutely look into it, it looks like it makes the project 100 times easier

[@elizabitch2182]

can i use a nail drill for acrylic nails? theres no way i can get my hands on this huge equipment. would it work without breaking it?

[@ViceChief]

You can defnitely drill acrylic nails since acrylic is just plsic, but usually they have a special rotary tool or use a Dremel tool. You don't need these giant tools, they make tiny drills for dremel tools and also "burrs" which are tiny grinding tools that can shape the nails.

[@karrengumagay6515]

My i ask if i can use this for carving acrylic like cnc

[@schmegcronic]

Wood bit with pointed tip works like butter but keep it under 250rpm

[@SeattleRingHunter]

THANK YOU! Great tips.

[@ViceChief]

No problem. Glad you found it useful!

[@beckyobrien7452]

Does the dish soap trick work with hole saws? I have to drill a single hole for lifting in a sheet of acrylic that will be used a aquarium lid. I can't foresee ever needing to cut acrylic again and am trying to find a way to work with the tools on hand.

[@ViceChief]

I've never tried it myself. I'm sure it would help but honestly doubt that you'd get a really clean edge. If I were going to try it, I'd go very slow and clamp the acrylic securely. I know that a step drill will make a clean hole, but you may not have one.

[@krzysztofgwizdala3755]

Thanks. Nice guide .

[@sergifed91]

great video. my Question is if it is already drilled with a whole. but you need a bigger hole then the one thats already drilled into it.

[@ViceChief]

I don't have a ton of experience with that situation, but my first approach would be to use glycerin or dish soap as laid out in the video. Sharpening the bit can't hurt. Also, someone else here had a helpful comment saying to clamp it to another piece of acrylic to prevent tearout. Seemed like a good idea to me.

[@addisondavis8876]

@@ViceChief I would say it is a perfect opportunity for a step drill. You could also center up the hole using the same size drill bit then replace it with a larger bit.

[@theundertaker3634]

Great video. Thank you!!!

[@tisaac2142]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@mcorrade]

Hey this is great. I'm getting ready to cut many holes in very thick (10mm) acrylic. Can I use a forstner bit with low speed and dish soap?

[@ViceChief]

I wish I knew - I've never tried a forstner bit. If it works for you, please report back.

[@mcorrade]

@@ViceChief I will thanks for the reply. I've used them before but I think I had my drill press set too high. Thanks for that tip

[@mcorrade]

@@ViceChief so I just uploaded the start os the project and the bits worked great! Turing down the speed WAS the trick. Check it out :)

[@sblack48]

This was awesome.

[@jemdost6724]

Any suggestions on countersinking? I have seen recommendations to use zero flute and others argue 3 flute. Any input? Would probably only countersink much thicker plexiglass

[@ViceChief]

Hey Jemdost, single flute cutters are incredible IF and ONLY IF you have very high RPMs and good rigidity (not handheld or drill press). I wouldn't recommend them if you are not cutting on a good quality CNC router. If you're on a drill press or using a hand drill, a 3-6 flute staggered countersink is probably the best thing. Low flutes = low heat input. Use the lubricants as described in the video. I'd bet there are good countersinks for plastics available with optimized geometry. If you have to do a lot of countersinking even a $50 tool can pay for itself quickly.

[@jemdost6724]

@@ViceChief Will be using a drill press so thank you for covering all the basis great reply much appreciated cheers!

[@mysticmarkthemagician5852]

I need to put holes into imataion acryilc drinking glasses ...I did tgink of heating a needle up in the flame of a candle and piercing the hole....do you have any ideas . Thanks in advanced

[@ViceChief]

If it's for really small holes I would use a dental drill bit and dish soap.

[@mysticmarkthemagician5852]

@@ViceChief thanky you so much Im a Podiatrist....I use the same drills bits as dentist .. cant thank you enough

[@direxxion]

Will use glass or tile drill bit be ok?

[@ViceChief]

No, the diamond edge will melt/smear plastics

[@The7dioses]

My drill press slowest speed is 730. Do you think that would work or is it to fast for 4mm thick acrylic? Thanks for the great info.

[@ViceChief]

The big worry with speed is that you'll melt the acrylic. If you don't try to force it all the way through, and you keep it wet/lubricated, you will probably be fine. Always good to try a test piece first.

[@joec2174]

.put masking tape over the area to be drilled first for a cleaner cut