Thread: 3 Axis Drilling Plexiglass Help

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I'm on the first step of building my 3 axis Lindberg skull from kit from Graveyard Skulls. I'm using a 3/32 bit and got one hole drilled in the plexiglass plate. The next hole the bit gets stuck and breaks off in the plexiglass. I filed it down and started another hole and the same thing happens. Is it bad bits, wrong type of bits or is there a trick? Will these bits embedded in the plexiglass affect anything?

That must be some pretty thick/strong plexiglass to break a drill bit!
Maybe you need a higher speed drill. I know the battery powered one I have now isn't as fast and doesn't have as much torque as my old plug-in electric one!
Or maybe start the hole with a smaller drill bit. Then work your way up to the 3/32 bit? Just a thought.
Maybe experiment on a scrap piece (if you have one).

Use a plexiglass bit or use Lexan. Lexan is less brittle.

DateintheGrave, thanks for the reply. I'm using an 18 v cordless drill, and the skull plate that came with the kit. This is the same plexiglass plate that everyone else who got the kit has used but I didn't find where anyone else had a problem. After the 3/32 bit broke off, I did use a smaller bit for the next attempt but that one also broke off.

You might try these suggestions
1. Don't press to hard
2. Push and pull the drill bit in and out of the hole, this will clear away the shavings, and let the bit cool a bit as it will tend to melt the plastic
3 try and drill as staight as possible, If you have access to one use a drill press.

Odds are you are having a tough time keeping the drill straight if you're using a hand drill. Doesn't take much effort (slight change in the angle) to snap these small bits. A drill press would be much better for this if you have access to one. Also, don't try to push it too fast, just let the bit slowly cut/scrape through the plexiglass.

OK, no access to drill press. I see that they make special bits for plexiglass so I guess I'll get that since I need bits anyway.
Pod: The bit didn't snap off, it got stuck inside the plexiglass to where the drill would no longer turn it forward or reverse so I had to break it off.

You actually probably need to slow the drill down. The higher speed heats the plexi up and melts it which can blow out your hole in that small of an area. Get the plexiglass bits, go slow, and use dish soap & water to lubricate & cool the process.

If the bit got stuck, you melted it to the plexiglass. Drill speed too quick causes it to melt vs. cut. use he soap and water like hedg12 suggested to help keep from heating up.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Tomorrow I'll try to find the plexiglass drill bit. The melting must be what happened so I'll try really slow. How is the soap and water used? Is it mixed and sprayed on the plexiglass, or is a little soap put on first and then spray with water?