Posted by matt(v) on August 14, 1999 at 18:17:37:
In Reply to: Re: How do I drill and cut holes in plexiglass without breaking it? posted by Jim M on August 14, 1999 at 16:43:07:
For small holes (carrage bolt size)
You can actualy get a special drill made specifically for drilling plexiglass, it has two tiny flat faces cut into the tip and when you use it (properly) you should get two long ribbons of plexi coming out of the hole.
Don't know where you can get one, maybe the same place you got you plexiglass?
Or you could put a normal drill in reverse and try to melt through
For larger holes (button size)
The proper way to do this is to buy a "circle cutter" they are adjustable from around 1/2 inch to about 4 inches. It consists of one central drill and a sliding blade that you adjust to the correct radius of your hole. They make really neat accurate holes but must be used in a drill press and must NEVER be used on anything except plexiglass. They are also quite expensive.
The cheap way to do this is to buy a holesaw with small teeth and have someone pour cutting fluid on while you drill. alternitively you may want to put the drill in reverse and melt your way through.
Either way, be sure to clamp it before you go to work.
here is a link to probably the best plexiglass working page on the net.
http://randyfromm.com/techdept/plexi.htm
they have an in depth explination of all the things you wanted to know
Matt(v)