Drilling an acrylic tank

[myjohnson]

Has anyone ever tried to drill an acrylic tank?

Any tips for a noob that's about to give it a try?

[76dragon]

should be easy, just go slow. let the drill do the work.

[myjohnson]

Yeah, I read that going fast may cause the plastic to melt.

If that happens to me....you going to see a grown man cry.

[geoff_tropheus]

practice on a lid first

[sunrise]

Yeah, I read that going fast may cause the plastic to melt.

If that happens to me....you going to see a grown man cry.

Take pictures of the crying for evidence to be used later!

sunrise

[myjohnson]

practice on a lid first

Yeah, I'm going to buy a 3/4'' panel and do a practice run first.

Everyone is just saying to use a normal hole drill bit and go slow.

I don't know if I want to do it from the bottom up or the top down.

[mgarrido]

Drilling an acrylic tank

practice on a lid first

+1. I have an old acrylic sump if you wanna practice with it. Use the correct tools and go slow and should be easy.

[ssrprelude]

I'm going to watch you do it. Not participating in this one.

[myjohnson]

Yeah, can't ask you to take a bullet like that.

If this screws up I got to take it.

[76dragon]

tape the part u gonna drill with blue painters tape to get you started so the drill bit don't move. I use hole saws instead of bits.

[myjohnson]

thanks of the advice Phung!

Yeah, I met to say hole saws. Jim's got one. But I think I need a bigger one and a smaller one.

Do you have to use and seal between the bulkhead and tank?

Or is the only thing need is that washer?

[76dragon]

Bulkhead

t

thanks of the advice Phung!

Yeah, I met to say hole saws. Jim's got one. But I think I need a bigger one and a smaller one.

Do you have to use and seal between the bulkhead and tank?


Definately need a seal with he bulkhead. I put a plastic washer on both sides Justin case. You should only need it on the tank side. I also silicone it for extra protection. Just a little bit of time and precaution will save a world of hurt. Been there done that

lol
Or is the only thing need is that washer?

thanks of the advice Phung!

Yeah, I met to say hole saws. Jim's got one. But I think I need a bigger one and a smaller one.

Do you have to use and seal between the bulkhead and tank?


Definately need a seal with he bulkhead. I put a plastic washer on both sides Justin case. You should only need it on the tank side. I also silicone it for extra protection. Just a little bit of time and precaution will save a world of hurt. Been there done that

lol
Or is the only thing need is that washer?

[tbui1178]

Yep, I would put the washer followed up with silicone. Jim helped do mine, so he should be able to walk you through it.

[myjohnson]

I'll just watch him do it while I drink some beer.

[ssrprelude]

I can bring home a center drill from work, that will get the hole started so the drill don't walk. I have a electric drill also that is stronger than a chordless. The hole saw I have is a nice one. If you get a big one, look into getting one with carbide teeth, much sharper and will last a long time.