Drilling Plexi

[TrueJedi]

I understand when drilling Plexi you should attach the plexi to a piece of wood and use a lower RPM. But can you use a normal drill bit? I see there is plastic drill bits, but they don't seem to be very common.

Thanks

[Alienagent]

Use a drill bit designed for steel. low pressure, low RPM.

[jasonec]

Also make sure you apply profanity where necessary. It helps.

[scoltx]

I prefer lexan (polycarbonate) over plexi (acrylic). Lexan works much better with woodworking tools and less prone to cracking when drilling or cutting. It scratches easier than plexi though.

[DarkSiege]

I use stepped bits, i find i have more luck with them.

[tekkaraiden]

I've had luck with rounding the corners off a drill bit and then drilling the plexi slowly.

[John Jones]

The drill bit should be "dulled" a bit....not new.
When drill bits are new they are too aggressive as they start drilling into the acrylic which causes it to lift, crack.
FInd a bit thats been used quite a bit on metal first and go easy on the drilling pressure and you will be fine.
Even better if you use lexan instead of acrylic.

John

[TrueJedi]

Thanks guys this is helpful.

[trueno92]

Apply light pressure and drill in reverse.

Worked for me with my neo geo overlay and that bad boy was 25 yrs old, and cigarette burned.

No spider cracks

This was for button holes.

[TrueJedi]

Apply light pressure and drill in reverse.

Worked for me with my neo geo overlay and that bad boy was 25 yrs old, and cigarette burned.

No spider cracks

This was for button holes.

Thanks for this. Same purpose. Question...did you start with a smaller drill bit and work your way up to get the circumference of the button wholes?

[brad808]

I do the opposite of everyone and I use a router. Cuts so fast the plexi doesn't even have time to crack . Plus it goes through that stuff like butter.

[trueno92]

Apply light pressure and drill in reverse.

Worked for me with my neo geo overlay and that bad boy was 25 yrs old, and cigarette burned.

No spider cracks

This was for button holes.

Thanks for this. Same purpose. Question...did you start with a smaller drill bit and work your way up to get the circumference of the button wholes?

Nope just used the button hole size. Look for my neo geo thread in here and I took some pics and the peeps here pointed me in the right direction

[b1buwg97]

Lexan FTW
Or router and nice de-burr tool for the melty edges
Or Step down drill bit and tape where the hole is going (nice masking tape)

[Arcademarauder]

Masking tape on drill points and safety glasses then give it to her slow