Drilling through thick HDPE block

  1. Use a blunted twist drill bit or a step drill bit to make the 10mm hole.
  2. Use a 20mm forstener bit to make the countersink.

Can you drill holes in HDPE?

HDPE sheet is easy to drill with both standard wood working and steel working drill bits. Spade bits work well for larger holes. For larger holes a hole saw works, however they plug up rather quickly so it should be drilled using multiple depths with cleaning the shavings out in-between.

How do you drill through thick plastic?





What drill bit is best for plastic? Spur-point drill bits (dowel bits) are best suited for drilling holes in plastic. The point and angle in front of these bits ensure that the stress in front is minimized and that the cut is smooth. We recommend slowing down as you are exiting to get a clean and neat hole.

How do you drill a hole in plastic without cracking it?

You can use a hot metal rod or a drill to make a hole in plastic without cracking it. A hot rod would be better since it requires slightly less skill and it is easily available. You can repair plastic using a soldering iron, a hot rod or baking soda and superglue in case of damage.

How do you drill polyethylene?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The first thing that you can do to take care of that is to change the shape of the point of your drill. So this is a quarter inch drill bit that it's actually a little dull on the tip.

Can HDPE be routed?

I wouldn’t recommend using a router to cut large HDPE sheets. A table saw is a much better idea. A negative rake blade is recommended. Regular wood blades with a positive rake will bite too deeply though I have to admit using an 80T plywood blade on 1/2″ HDPE.

Is HDPE easy to machine?





Numerous industrial applications choose HDPE due to its easy machinability, good rigidity, high tensile strength, low moisture absorption, and impact resistance.

Do you need a special drill bit for plastic?

Drilling holes in plastic is best done with spur-point drill bits. Also known as dowel bits, they have a center point and two elevated spurs that help keep the bit straight. The point and angle in front of these bits guarantee smooth cutting and reduce the stress in front.

How do you punch a hole in hard plastic?

Use an Electric Drill



A power drill is probably one of the quickest ways to cut holes in your plastic. Drilling several small holes into the plastic can make the surface easier when you begin to cut it. It’s best to use smaller drill bits that are less than 1/8 inch in diameter.

Can I use a metal drill bit on plastic?

In most cases drilling in wood and plastic isn’t difficult, because these are usually soft materials. You can recognize the special wood drills by the pointed central tip. But it’s also no problem if you use a metal drill in wood or plastic. For bigger holes you can predrill with a thin 4 mm drill.

What is the point angle for a twist drill for drilling plastic?



approximately 12° to 16°

Need help drilling plastic? Ask a Plastics Expert. The angle of the twist of the drill bit should be approximately 12° to 16°.

How do you drill plastic without a drill?

Heat a sharp piece of copper; Place over the plastic surface, where you wish to drill a hole; Let it melt the plastic into the shape of a hole.

Can I use a soldering iron to make holes in plastic?



Even a cheap soldering iron will reach temperatures in excess of what is needed to heat plastic. In a well ventilated area, turn on the soldering iron and allow it to heat up. Then with only a light pressure, press the tip of the iron at the desired location, and it will melt a drain hole through the plastic.

How do you melt small holes in plastic?

If the plastic is thin enough, that might do the trick. If it’s particularly hard you could try softening the plastic in boiling water first too. Good luck! I would try heating up a needle or tiny nail and melt/poke a hole through the plastic.

How do you make drain holes in plastic cups?

I’ve heard of lots of ways to create drainage holes in cheap plastic cups so your seedlings don’t drown.

  1. burn small holes in the bottom with a lighter or candle.
  2. use a large nail and hammer.
  3. use the blade of a jack knife or “multi-tool”
  4. use the end of a screwdriver, heated up, and burnt through the bottom.


Can soldering iron melt plastic?



When the plastic casing of an object gets cracked or broken into pieces, most people just buy a new one; however, plastic is remarkably malleable and is quite easy to melt and reattach with a soldering iron.

How strong is JB plastic weld?

STRENGTH: J-B Weld PlasticWeld has tensile strength of 3900 PSI. SURFACE APPLICATIONS: Plastic & PVC, Fiberglass, Glass, ABS, Composites and Vinyl.

Can you use a heat gun to weld plastic?

Plastic welding creates a very strong bond between the materials that is very difficult to break. You can weld tarpaulin and other flexible material using a wide slot nozzle attachment on a Leister hot air gun. Put the nizzle between the two pieces of plastic you wish to heat and keep heating.

Which JB Weld is best for plastic?

PlasticWeld™ is a hand-mixable, fast-setting epoxy putty that forms a durable bond to most major plastic types. *After mixing, it forms a polymer compound that can be molded or used to build up and repair just about anything made from plastic. When cured, it can be sawed, drilled, carved, sanded and painted.

How do I bond HDPE to HDPE?



Once the HDPE epoxy glue has been mixed propely, apply it to one surface and clamp the two surfaces together until the glue has finished drying and curing. If you are using superglue, even the best glue for HDPE might require you to use a primer in addition to the glue, without which the superglue will not work.

Which is stronger J-B Weld or Gorilla glue?

Bond Strength:



The bond strength of gorilla epoxy is around 3300psi. And the bond strength of J B weld is around 5020psi.