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Author Topic: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set  (Read 223 times)

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Offline Cheese

  • Posts: 10295
Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« on: February 01, 2023, 02:17 PM »
I have an upcoming Plexiglas project and decided to purchase some proper drill bits. Previously I re-purposed some older conventional 118º drill bits by modifying the drill bit point angle on a Drill Doctor. It worked better but I think there are probably other geometry changes that need to be made.

The drill bits are manufactured by Norseman in St. Paul Minnesota.  [smile]
They are packaged in a drill index manufactured by Huot in St. Paul Minnesota.  [smile]

FWIW...Viking drill bits are also manufactured by Norseman and all bits are manufactured to NAS specifications.

https://www.holbren.com/acrylic-drill-bits/noseman-7-piece-acrylic-drill-bit-set/





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Offline Michael Kellough

  • Posts: 5888
Re: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2023, 02:31 PM »
@Cheese I’m curious how that 1/2” bit performs. The scraping flat looks a bit short. You might get some grabbing when it gets to full diameter. For comparison the equivalent part of the 1/4” bit looks long but it shouldn’t cause a problem.
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Offline Cheese

  • Posts: 10295
Re: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2023, 02:37 PM »
Quote from: Michael Kellough on February 01, 2023, 02:31 PM
@Cheese I’m curious how that 1/2” bit performs. The scraping flat looks a bit short. You might get some grabbing when it gets to full diameter. For comparison the equivalent part of the 1/4” bit looks long but it shouldn’t cause a problem.

Well thanks for the heads-up Michael...I don't work with plastics much so I'll pay some closer attention when I'm using these and report back if something's awry.
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Offline Michael Kellough

  • Posts: 5888
Re: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2023, 03:00 PM »
Maybe @rst will chime in. He’s an expert.
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Offline rst

  • Posts: 2892
Re: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2023, 05:50 PM »
All of these work great, I have a set up to 1", although from 1/2" up you quickly get into nosebleed territory.  They are also available in metric sizing.  I can't remember where I bought them but they sell all things for plastic fabbing.  I bought my bit sets and 50" bending bar from them years ago. I really looked hard at their hot knives as there are dozens of configurations for cutting foam.  I actually found the company...Abbeon.  There catalog was like Festools...usually drooled on.
On an other note, Acme has Bora stands and MFT style tops on sale 25% off so I ordered a 4'x4' stand and two 2' x4' tops for in my van.  Sales on anything I'm vaguely interested are like black holes...suuuck me right in
« Last Edit: February 01, 2023, 06:31 PM by rst »
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Offline Mortiser

  • Posts: 169
Re: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2023, 09:52 AM »
How does a Forstner bit do on acrylic or polycarbonate in larger sizes? Any experience?
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Offline rst

  • Posts: 2892
Re: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2023, 02:13 PM »
Using a Forsner will not be a pleasant experience
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Offline neilc

  • Posts: 3119
Re: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2023, 02:36 PM »
Quote from: Mortiser on February 02, 2023, 09:52 AM
How does a Forstner bit do on acrylic or polycarbonate in larger sizes? Any experience?

You are better off using a router with a circle guide if you need to cut larger holes in acrylic.  I personally use my Shaper Origin which does very well but you can do similar with a pilot hole and guided bit with a template.
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Online Packard

  • Posts: 1925
Re: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2023, 03:33 PM »
I can only add that router bit cutting speeds are not ideal for cutting plastic.
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Offline rst

  • Posts: 2892
Re: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2023, 05:53 PM »
Actually the vast majority of milling plastics is with a router, although mostly CNC.  Just turn the speed down and use plastic bits made for the purpose, mostly  O-flute.  There are even bits dedicated for particular types of plastics.  I the past I drilled holes using various carbide hole saws, again at slow speed and clearing the bit frequently, but I use my Shaper now.  Usage recommendations by manufacturers recommend routing or sanding edges especially on acrylics to reduce micro cracks that can expand later.
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Offline afish

  • Posts: 1474
Re: Drilling Acrylic - special bit set
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2023, 07:09 PM »
Agreed, I have done a little Acrylic on the cnc router and 0 flute bit worked well.  Hand held might be a different story but taking to much off in one pass or feeding to fast freehand and heating the material up is when problems tend to happen.  I have been wanting to get into more acrylic fab with the new CO2 laser.  However, I havent found the time yet. The laser looks like the way to go depending on thickness.  The edges of cast acrylic come off the machine already polished. 
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