Drilling Plexiglass Sheets

Several manufacturers offer drill bits designed especially for plastics.

Drilling plexiglass sheets. Because of the internal stresses it will quickly crack or break. 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. Drill bits for plexiglass lexan and other plastics. Alternatively you can acquire plexiglass drill bits that are compatible with normal drillers.

Using the right kind of tools is important when working with many types of plastics. For example to drill a 1 2 inch hole you can make a pilot hole by beginning with a 1 4 bit drill and then moving to a 1 2 bit drill. Many diy plexiglass and lexan sheet projects require a hole or two. Acrylic or acrylate is available in two types.

The extruded type is in fact unsuitable for drilling. Lay the sheet on a flat surface and. Buy a plexiglass drill or plexiglass drill bits that can be used with a regular drill. Standard metal drill bits will work but without extensive modification the metal drill bit will crack and chip the brittle acrylic sheet.

Any commercially available power driven equipment is acceptable for drilling acrylic sheets. This includes portable drills drill presses lathes automatic multiple spindle drilling units cnc routers and machining centers. Drilling acrylic is not difficult if you have good tools and are drilling the right kind of acrylic sheet. To drill your plexiglass sheet you may consider acquiring a plexiglass drill to simplify the process.

Often the traditional drill bits used for metal and wood chip and crack the plexiglass while drilling through its surface. Specialty drill bits prevent the cracking and chipping. Equipment to drill acrylic drills. Plexiglass is a clear plastic lightweight alternative to glass.

Designed specifically for plexiglass and polycarbonate lexan these drill bits are great tools for drilling through plastic sheets. They are available in hardware stores and online. Drilling holes in plexiglass can be challenging. 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.

Drilling holes in acrylic requires the use of a drill bit specially designed for use with plastics.