Will a stepper bit drill acrylic.

[Flameback Pair]

Will a standard duty stepper bit drill acrylic? Do I start with a pilot hole?

 

[Brad Miller]

I believe a "vari bit" or stepper could be used, but it would be best to use a regular hole saw.
A vari bit won't make a clean hole like a hole saw or drill bit would, the edges inside the hole won't be straight...more beveled.
Shouldn't need a pilot hole to try it though... let us know how it worked for you.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Start with a pilot hole. yes and use acrylic bit as standard will get hot and acrylic will fuse/bond and make a mess

 

[dantimdad]

I use them on 3/16 CAST acrylic or thinner.

They work perfectly for that.

Any thicker and it leaves steps in the hole.

Extruded could possibly shatter or crack from that kind of bit.

 

[Flameback Pair]

This is for an ATO reservoir. About 3/16" thick. Don't know if it's cast or extruded, how do I tell? Where can I get acrylic bits?

 

[Neilth1]

Step bits come in different sizes for different thicknesses. I love them use them all the time ,but good bits are not cheep .

 

[davocean]

That thin can easily be done w/ a regular hole saw, w/ a pilot bit, just drill half way through on one side, switch to ther side and finish other half, this makes clean on both sides.

 

[lapin]

This is for an ATO reservoir. About 3/16" thick. Don't know if it's cast or extruded, how do I tell? Where can I get acrylic bits?

online there are lots of places to get the bits
https://www.amazon.com/Acrylic-Drill-Bits/s?page=1&rh=i:aps,k:Acrylic Drill Bits

How big a hole are we talking about?
Sometimes you can use a regular bit if you know what you are doing.

 

[billwill]

Dang, there are acrylic specific drill bits?!? Learned something new today. I’ve read that stepper bits work better than normal drill bits. Also seen that clamping wood behind the plastic helps to avoid chips on back

 

[ca1ore]

Forstner is my preferred bit for small holes in acrylic. For larger, a bimetal hole saw. I don’t personally like regular spiral bits unless chucked into a drill press, quite easy to crack the acrylic. Stepper bits are OK, as long as you are drilling thin material.

 

[billwill]

Forstner is my preferred bit for small holes in acrylic. For larger, a bimetal hole saw. I don’t personally like regular spiral bits unless chucked into a drill press, quite easy to crack the acrylic. Stepper bits are OK, as long as you are drilling thin material.

Never thought to use my Forstner bits! Good to know