drilling a PVC sump

[Boo Baker]

I have a sump made of PVC and need to turn a 3/4 hole into a 1 1/2" hole. What should I use for a bit. Do the make PVC drill bits?

 

[lapin]

Hole saw
Clamp a piece of wood behind the hole to give the pilot bit something to dig into.

 

[Freenow54]

As above I would drill a small hole in the wood , just smaller than the bit that is on the hole saw. Clamp the wood on the inside as above making sure the hole is in the centre of the existing hole or you will end up with an oblong hole useless

 

[Freenow54]

Go slow speed or you will melt the PVC. Are you sure its PVC ?

 

[Boo Baker]

It's an Advanced Acrylics PVC/Hybrid Acrylic Sump, definitely PVC. I made the mistake of not special ordering the hole size and the hole is for 3/4 bulkhead, and I need 1" bulkhead

 

[Boo Baker]

Thank for all the advice everybody, I will let you know how badly I mess it up!

 

[Freenow54]

Thank for all the advice everybody, I will let you know how badly I mess it up!

If you follow the advice and go slow it will be fine. Do you know what a hole saw is? Not to offend.

 

[Boo Baker]

None taken, I own one but seldom used. Should I use a wood bit or metal?

 

[lapin]

The pilot bit should be made out of metal not wood

 

[Freenow54]

I know what you mean. The pilot bit is the same dimension all the way so yes the pilot drill bit is meant for metal. The actual hole saw bit could be either to my mind but the metal one has teeth that are closer together so will have less of a tendency to bind at the end of the cut , This is why I said to go slow. If it starts to bind stop back of get the drill now to full speed as opposed to low rpm when you start. Then when at high speed have a tight grip on the drill keeping it level and square and very slowly start putting the bit which is now at high rpm back on the material until your through. If it starts to bind back off again, and start the procedure again just take your time

 

[Freenow54]

please post your result

 

[lapin]

You can also run the drill in reverse after it begins to cut. This can help with the binding issue

 

[UncommonSense]

I have a sump made of PVC and need to turn a 3/4 hole into a 1 1/2" hole. What should I use for a bit. Do the make PVC drill bits?

You’ll just use a standard wood hole saw bit, ideally one with a somewhat high tooth count! (More, smaller teeth)

Wood hole saws are capable of cutting anything from aluminum to acrylic, so specialized options are not readily availiable! (Not in high demand)

Would you like some tips and tricks for enlarging a hole sawn hole accurately?

 

[Boo Baker]

Any and all tips are greatly appreciated, from everybody!

 

[Freenow54]

Any and all tips are greatly appreciated, from everybody!

You haven't done it yet?

 

[Boo Baker]

Not yet, it's my weekend project. The sump is up and running for the last year. I am now getting ready to add the separate refugium. It came with the sump but have not had the time to hook it up yet.

 

[Freenow54]

Not yet, it's my weekend project. The sump is up and running for the last year. I am now getting ready to add the separate refugium. It came with the sump but have not had the time to hook it up yet.

By the way I apologize for saying a metal hole saw has more teeth. It is the other way around I have to quit going by memory.

 

[UncommonSense]

Any and all tips are greatly appreciated, from everybody!

Here’s a great little write up I did on drilling and enlarging holes in acrylic, which should more or less directly apply to drilling/enlarging holes in PVC!

Closed Loop Questions

Let me know if you’d like a few tricks on increasing the diameter of a hole-sawn hole accurately, or drilling acrylic in general! Please tell about the best method to drill holes in acrylic? I am an electrician by trade and have had to cut existing holes to larger sizes. But I have not had to...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Boo Baker]

Thank you for the info, I will read it tonight. Or, if you're bored you can drive to New Hampshire and Show me how it's done.

 

[Freenow54]

Thank you for the info, I will read it tonight. Or, if you're bored you can drive to New Hampshire and Show me how it's done.

So my Plane just landed I have been asking around and no one knows where you live. Are you going to pick me up?