Drilling through Plexiglass can be daunting, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be done safely and without cracking the window. Materials needed for drilling through Plexiglass include a drill bit, a drill bit holder, a safety guard, and a drill bit sharpener. But how to drill Plexiglass without cracking?
The first step is to measure the hole size you want to make. Next, use the drill bit holder to hold the drill bit in place. The drill bit should be at an angle, allowing the drill to cut through the Plexiglass rather than into it. Let’s know the way of making holes without cracking.
What Is Plexiglass?
A polymerized material made of methacrylic acid, commonly called Plexiglas, is referred to by the French term polymethyl methacrylate. Plastics using this material can be made and marketed under many different trade names, such as Acryllite, Oroglas, Lymacryl, Perspex, Altuglas, Acrylplast, Perspex, Lucite Acrivill, Vitroflex, and Parallax. However, it is the original and most widely used.
Plexiglas has become particularly well-known since 1940 because it is an excellent alternative to glass. Thus, it is also known as acrylic glass and is one of the most common plastic materials. Unlike glass, Plexiglas is shatter-resistant, flexible, and very transparent. Crystalline glass, in contrast, has a transmittance of approximately 0.85.
Types of drill bits to avoid Cracking in Plexiglass
A few different drill bits should be used when drilling Plexiglass to avoid cracking. These drill bits are the best ones for Plexiglass because they are made to be sharp and not make a ton of noise when cutting.
Standard Twist Drill Bits
Standard twist drill bits are the drill bits that I recommend most often when cutting Plexiglass at 118-degree angles. These types of drill bits are usually perfect for drilling all materials. Because it is so affordable and makes a smooth hole on the surface of your Plexiglass, these drills are also safe to use and do not cause any mess or extra damage to your furniture as you begin drilling. A standard twist drill bit can be bought at any local hardware store or online.
Plastic Drill Bits
Plastic drill bits are another common drill you can use when drilling Plexiglass. Having steel or plastic drill bits when drilling plastic is an ideal option. These drill bits come with a start at 0-degree rake and ending at ninety degrees. You can use them to hack through Plexiglass in a logical order. These drill bits make holes in a steady, straight line. The best thing about plastic drill bits is that they are extremely safe to use and do not cause any mess or extra damage to your furniture as you begin drilling.
Step Drill Bits
When drilling the Plexiglass, these drill bits work well, and you can get any desired size hole. Ensure that you clamp the wood to the back side of the Plexiglass, and you’re all set to go. The drill bits should always be used at a slow speed, and minimal pressure should be applied. It ensures that the drill bit will not break or shatter. Be sure to use only the smaller step drill bit to have a perfectly smooth hole.
Cone Drill Bit
Cone drill bits will be the perfect choice if you’re searching for a drill bit to penetrate curved and thick kinds of Plexiglass. These drill bits are easy to use and readily available. Apart from the options, you can also select drill bits such as a flat bit, centre bit, a stepped bit, or even a hole-saw that can get the job done. Moreover, opting for a hole-saw is most effective if you are drilling a huge hole and it must be at a right angle.
Spiral Drill Bits
A spiral drill bit can help you get into the Plexiglass. For starters, make sure that everything is properly aligned. Afterward, drill approximately 5 mm in the Plexiglass using a spiral drill bit. Afterward, use a countersink cutter to deburring the hole that you made. It effectively makes holes in plastic, glass, and metal at any angle.
How Do You Choose A Drill Bit?
To figure out which drill bit you should use when drilling Plexiglass, you will need to measure the diameter of the hole you will be making.
Size
For instance, if your hole is 2 mm, you must use a drill bit with a diameter of 2 mm or less. If it’s larger than 2 mm, take your drill bit and place it beside your hole measurement. If at least half of your drill bit covers up your measurement, then you should use this size. If not, use a smaller drill bit to ensure that the Plexiglas won’t crack. Internal rules like these will help you pick the size you need to drill your Plexiglass.
Type of Hole
When using a hole saw, you must consider two other things: the speed of the rotational movement and how to ensure that it is at an angle. It would help if you always used a low speed not to break your bit or crack your Plexiglas.
Speed
Furthermore, a slow speed works best for making large holes without cracks. In addition to this, ensure that as you drill, you do it at a 90-degree angle. This will prevent any cracks from forming inside the plastic and ensure that your drill bit is cutting through the Plexiglas in a straight line.
How To Drill Plexiglass Without Cracking?
There are a few different methods that you can use when drilling Plexiglas, and they vary depending on the drill bit that you’ve chosen to use. If you have a sharp drill with a ‘classic twist, you should try keeping your speed slowly.
You should ensure that the bit rotates at 80 degrees to guarantee a clean cut with no cracks. In addition to this, always ensure that it is cleaned before and after every time you drill Plexiglass so that it will be completely polished.
Tool selection
When planning to drill Plexiglass, the first thing that you should use is a drill bit. These are easy to find, and several different sizes and types of them are available. Furthermore, you can use different drill bits, which I have already described above.
Using the drill bit
To start your drilling, clean off any debris from the surface of your Plexiglass before drilling it. In addition to this, check that it is anchored properly on something hard so that it will not move when you begin drilling it.
Making for holes
If you are drilling a perfect circle, you can use a hole saw and drill it slowly. However, if you plan to cut Plexiglass into different shapes, you can use the other drill bit types.
Drilling
To go about drilling the Plexiglass, you should always ensure that the drill is held perfectly still. Start at one edge of your Plexiglass and ensure you are drilling straight. In addition to this, use a steady motion when cutting. Move your hands as little as possible when you are cutting so that it will prevent any unnecessary damage to your piece of Plexiglas.
Tips On Prevent Cracking While Drilling Into Plexiglass
To help avoid cracking while drilling through glass and Plexiglas, there are a few things that you can do:
- Always use a drill bit that is the correct size and has the correct taper to avoid cracking your Plexiglass.
- Wear eye goggles when you are performing drills. Keep in mind that it’s essential and could save your vision if everything is debris.
- Before you start drilling into Plexiglass, you should plot a piece of scrap wood below the Plexiglass to shield against the damage that might occur to the acrylic.
- Ensure that you are drilling at an angle so that the hole you make is straight and won’t crack.
- Make sure that your plexiglass projects are securely attached to something stable so that it does not move when you begin drilling. · Always use a low-speed drill bit when drilling Plexiglass so it will not break on you.
- You’ll want to use any oil or dishwashing liquid, and WD-40 is the ideal option. It will quickly keep the glass cool and prevent any heat from forming.
- Use a very small amount of pressure when drilling your Plexiglass because the more pressure you put on the drill, the more likely it is to crack your piece.
How Can You Repair Plexiglass Cracking Glass?
When the plexiglass surface has cracked, use an ample amount of epoxy over it, then allow the surface to harden for several hours. It’s essential to leave it for this long before increasing the adhesive’s potency. You may also wish to use plexiglass adhesive to repair the injury.
They will all depend on the type of hole that you made in your Plexiglass. If it is an internal hole, you will want to ensure that the piece is still connected to its surrounding area using epoxy. For instance, you can apply epoxy along the edge so it won’t separate from its surroundings. For example, if you drilled a large circle inside of your piece of Plexiglas, apply some epoxy along the edges so that it cannot be pulled out over time.
FAQs
What Kind Of Drill Bit Is Used For Plexiglass?
Off-ground bits intended for drilling wood are also often effective at drilling acrylic sheets. Ensure that these bits do not transport shavings out of the hole.
What Is The Best Way To Drill Through Plexiglass?
When drilling into Plexiglass, always ensure that you drill at a 90-degree angle to prevent it from cracking. You can also use a high-speed drill to guarantee it’s done quickly without complications. You can also try using a different type of material behind the piece of Plexiglass to prevent it from wobbling. Furthermore, ensure that you are drilling at an angle when you are cutting because this will help prevent any cracks that may occur inside the piece of Plexiglass.
Can you drill a screw into Plexiglass?
When drilling holes in Plexiglass, allow a little more than the screw. This minimizes the danger of the part grabbing the glass and granting the screw the room it needs to expand.
Can you drill thin Plexiglass?
Thin Plexiglass is easy to drill than thicker Plexiglass. When drilling, you should drill a hole and then carefully widen it using a file or rasp so that the hole is bigger than the drill bit size.
Final Words
When you’re drilling through Plexiglass, you must use caution. Though it’s not as strong as glass, Plexiglass can still crack or shatter if the pressure is too high or if you are drilling it too quickly. To ensure that your Plexiglass is protected, always ensure it’s anchored on something stable.
So the piece does not move when you start to drill through it. Also, use the recommended types of bit for your drill and ensure that your speed is low. Use a small bit when drilling, as this will help to prevent cracking your piece of Plexiglas.
Still, confused about how to drill plexiglass without cracking? I request you to scroll up and read the entire content again. Happy drilling!
