How To Drill Holes Into Your Acrylic | Cut Plastic Sheeting

How To Drill Holes Into Your Acrylic

Once you have chosen your coloured, frosted or clear acrylic, arranged for it to be cut to the required size and had it safely delivered, it is time to fix your material into place. Depending on your project, you will have the choice of doing this with adhesives or by drilling holes and using fixings.

If you already know where you would like to place your drill holes, you can arrange for us to do this for you – simply send us the measurements of where you would like them when you place your order. However, you may prefer to drill the holes yourself once you have received your acrylic, in order that you can alter your existing plans or add extra holes if required. We have put together a few easy steps to follow if you should choose to drill holes in your acrylic ready for fixing.

Step One:

Place your acrylic sheet onto a flat surface that is fully supportive and which will allow your drill to run into once it is through your material, such as a piece of wood. Leave any protective film on the acrylic to prevent it from being damaged as you work. If you choose to clamp your material in place, do so with care and place something between the acrylic and the clamp in order to protect it further.

Step Two:

Carefully measure where you would like your holes to be. If the holes are to be along the edge of your sheet, the distance between the hole and the edge should be twice the thickness of the acrylic in order to keep it strong and stable. For instance, if the acrylic is 5mm thick, then the distance from the edge where you will drill is 10mm.

Step Three:

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:

Set your drill to a medium setting and place it perpendicular to the acrylic. Lightly press the drill into the mark that you have measured, which should cause the tool to simply sink through the material. Let the drill slide through and into the supporting material that you have placed underneath, then gently bring it back through the hole without switching it off until you are clear.

Step Five:

Ensure that you line up the holes on your acrylic with those that you have planned for your wall, checking first that the wall holes will not be going through into a pipe or electrical cables. Align the acrylic with the wall holes and fix into place with your screws.

Remember to take it slow and steady, only drilling once you are sure that the holes are going to be in the correct place. Do not force your drill through the acrylic, as this could cause it to split or break, pulling back gently in a reverse setting if it should become stuck.

FAQ: How to make a hole in acrylic sheet without a drill?

The answer is technically yes, you could theoretically heat the acrylic to a point where it melts and cut through it once it softens, this method is highly discouraged due to its significant dangers. Acrylic, like other plastics, can emit harmful gases when heated or burned, including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and other potentially harmful substances. This method also carries a high risk of burns and fires.

 

Therefore, for safety and precision, it’s best to use a drill with the appropriate bit to make a hole in an acrylic sheet. If you don’t have a drill, it may be worth it to either borrow one or have the hole professionally made rather than risking injury or damage. Always prioritise safety over convenience when working with materials and tools.

For more information on Acrylic, Perspex, MDF, Dibond and Polycarbonate please visit our Guide and Blog sections of the website.

 

Cut Plastic Sheeting are based on the south Coast in Ivybridge, Devon UK. We have a full manufacturing facility which enables us to offer Cut To Size Acrylic as well as Cut To Size MDF. Shop our full range of products, including our Clear Acrylic, coloured acrylic and more recent MDF Wood Sheet ranges.

 

Our Team are always here to help with any enquiry, please send us an email or for more urgent needs give us a call – Contact Us

Post By gsl

Recent Posts