However, they are a bit cheaper than you might expect. And as a result, they don’t produce the cleanest-possible holes. Unless used in perfect conditions, you might get some jagged edges at the top or bottom of your material. For some projects, you may not know where you need your drilled holes or require extra holes and will need to drill them yourself. We’ve created this simple step-by-step guide to help you. Applying masking tape where you want a hole to be made adds an additional layer of resistance that will assist in stopping the drill bit’s teeth from shredding through your material. How to Drill Acrylic? It’s also considered best practice to use a lubricant when drilling for deeper holes. The lubricant aids in the removal of debris and dissipation of heat. Throughout the drilling process, you should keep a watchful eye on the area around the hole you’re making. In the event that you observe plastic shavings gumming up, you should immediately stop drilling, let plastic cool, clear out the hole, and then resume drilling. Plastics happen to be a universal amenity of modern life. Whether it be kitchen cabinets or credit cards, plastics leave their imprint everywhere because of their diverse utility. If you’re wanting to utilize a plastic material for a DIY project, then you’ll probably want to know how to drill into plastic. However, you may be wondering if you can use a wood drill bit on plastic or if you need a special kind of bit. Further, if you don’t have a drill, you might be wondering if you can make a hole in plastic without a drill?

Finally, you also need to bear in mind that plastic materials undergo expansions and contractions with fluctuations in temperature. So, you want to make sure that your drilled hole is slightly larger than required. Doing so will allow screws placed in those holes to move freely without exerting unnecessary stress on the plastic material. How Do You Drill a Hole in Plastic Without a Drill? Practice with smaller pieces of acrylic scrap to protect your sheet from damage, then drill into your original large sheet. So, in the section above we talked about drilling into plastic with a drill, but how do you drill a hole in plastic without a drill? Is something like that even possible? Surprisingly, the answer is yes, but the process is a bit odd. Below are a few ways to drill a hole in plastic without a drill. Unfortunately, acrylic sheets are readily scratched and might become brittle under certain pressure. Therefore, you must use it carefully and treat it with care. A variety of safety instruments and procedures can be applied to prevent melting or to break the material. As drilling acrylic is a fairly straightforward process, you probably already have the tools you need around the home:Acrylic sheets are an integral part of the modern household, thus you may find yourself needing to drill through acrylic at some point. However, this is no easy task and requires a special kind of drill bit. Essentially, there are four things to look for when finding the best type of drill bit for acrylic, we’ve listed them for you below. These are some of the only drill bits you can buy right now that are designed specifically for use on plastics, including hard plastics such as acrylic. Best Drill Bits For Plastic A spur or Brad point drill bit, ideal for drilling plastic. Photo by Emrys2 licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Milling drill bits allow production of the elongated holes used in connector systems, for example. It is particularly important to cool adequately with water when milling with milling drill bits. What we like about this set is the variety of different bits you get, all at a fairly decent price-point.

We’ve also discussed some key things to consider when buying, to help you find the best drill bits for your specific needs. You can use a standard steel drill or an HSS drill to create your holes. If the drill bit is new, wear it in a little on a scrap piece of wood so that there is no risk of the sharpness tearing the acrylic. Step Four:In general, when drilling a large hole, a slower drill speed setting should be used. This is because high speeds can melt the plastic. Further, be sure to bring the drill bit speed setting to a lower value every time the drill bit exits the plastic material. Step 1. Secure the acrylic to a flat surface such as a solid piece of wood. Your drill will also penetrate this surface so make sure it's not your dining table! Use the clamp or weights to secure the plastic in place, this will stop it spinning or moving when drilling.

In addition, it’s recommended to use a lubricant while drilling deeper holes to help remove debris and dissipate the heat. Furthermore, since plastics expand and contract with temperature changes, make sure you drill a slightly larger hole than necessary to allow room for screw movement without placing stress on the material.Now, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure your acrylic is ready to be drilled. By following this advice, you are less likely to cause damage to or break your acrylic sheet during the drilling process.