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Drilling Acrylic Sheets - A Guide

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:09:49 GMT

Drilling acrylic is not hard, but carries high risks of material damage if done incorrectly

To drill an acrylic panel without cracking, splitting or damaging the sheet, there are a few considerations you should take note of.

Even though acrylic is approximately 1700% stronger than glass and is far more durable: you need to take care when drilling your acrylic sheets to prevent them from cracking and splitting. Fortunately, in this article we have put together a list of suggestions to help you drill acrylic in a way that helps you avoid ruining your panels.

The Properties of Acrylic

Acrylic is a remarkably strong thermoplastic which can withstand heat, impact, and shattering. Despite it being a plastic, clear acrylic sheet boasts very high clarity and is comparable to glass, only much cheaper in comparison. This makes acrylic a very efficient material for windows, display cases, and greenhouse glazing. Not only is acrylic UV-resistant - resisting discolouration from UV rays; it provides fantastic thermal insulation. Acrylic is extremely versatile, and can be molded, bent, shaped, and drilled.

Although acrylic is relatively easy to drill, it must absolutely be done correctly, in order to minimise the risk of damaging the material.

Potential risks

The main risk when drilling your acrylic is the potential for it to crack and snap. Despite its high durability and versatility, if drilled incorrectly, you could accidentally end up with a snapped, cracked and completely unusable acrylic panel.

Inappropriate tools can result in cracked acrylic, so ensuring you have appropriate equipment before starting your project is highly advisable.

What tools will I need?

Before you drill acrylic, you should have the correct equipment. Read below for our best tips on choosing and using the correct equipment to help avoid costly mistakes.

HSS Drill Bit

HSS (High-Speed Steel) drill bits are designed to be suitable for materials such as wood, aluminium and mild steel. They will typically last for at least 150 holes and to a maximum of 450 before they become too worn to function effectively. Brand-new drill bits may not be suitable for drilling acrylic sheets, as they could grip and tear your acrylic and inadvertently cause irreversible damage. It is recommended that you use a slightly worn HSS Drill Bit. Plastics engineers would usually "back off" a new drill bit by slightly grinding down the cutting edge before using it, to avoid material being gripped.

Clamps

Perhaps one of the most important pieces of equipment you could use whilst drilling acrylic is a clamp. Clamps will help to secure the sheet in place so it doesn’t move while you drill and result in cracked acrylic. The clamps can also prevent warping or spinning that may occur during drilling. By clamping your acrylic sheet in place, you’ll get a much cleaner finish to the job.

Marking Pen

A marker will help you to drill exactly where you intend. Marking a drill point will reduce your chance of causing cracks and splits in your acrylic, as you can ensure the distance from the edge of your sheet to the borehole is far enough to avoid damage to your acrylic. It is recommended that a minimum distance of 15mm from the edge of your acrylic is observed in order to be safe. Use the marker pen to determine a clear point to help you retain the minimum distance and achieve an accurate result.

Masking Tape

Masking tape at the drill site will help to provide extra initial grip; so slipping is less likely at initial contact, it provides an extra barrier while you the drill acrylic, which will help prevent damaging the surface around the drill site.

Safety Equipment

Safety should always be paramount whenever you drill anything and acrylic is no exception, any dust and splintering material can cause damage to your eyes if you don’t protect them properly, so wear safety goggles.

Drilling Acrylic

Keeping the protective film on the plastic

By not removing film that is on all of our acrylic sheets, you reduce the possibility of creating avoidable scratches on the surface of the acrylic whilst you drill the required holes.

Positioning of drill holes

Always keep at least 15mm minimum distance between your drilled hole and the edge of the panel. Never drill closer to the edge than the prescribed 15mm. Failure to leave this minimum distance WILL result in extremely high chance of a material split.

Support the entire panel evenly

The entire panel needs to be supported. Place on a smooth solid work bench and clamp into position to avoid any unwanted movement during the drilling process.

Pilot holes

If needing to drill a large diameter hole in your acrylic sheet, then we recommend that you pre-drill with a smaller diameter drill-bit first. This is known as pilot hole and will help locate and guide the larger diameter drill-bit when making the final drill through.

Use a low-speed drill setting

Drilling acrylic at high speed increases the risk of unwanted results like warping and splitting. When the drill bit rotates at a slower rate, you have more time to make minor corrections and have a better chance at drilling perfectly.

The drilling process
Set your drill with lightly-worn drill-bit to low speed and gently press the rotating drill-bit through the surface at your marked point. Exert low pressure as the bit initially contacts the surface and gradually increase pressure until the drill-bit starts to sink easily through the material as it bores out the hole. If the drill-bit doesn't progress through the material, a slightly higher speed setting may be required.

You should always allow the drill to continue turning whilst you remove it from the hole, so as not to cause unnecessary resistance.

Bonus Installation Tips

Drill larger holes

If the drill holes in your acrylic panel are for screws or fixings to attach your panel to a wall or other surface, remember; Acrylic is a plastic, and like all other plastics it has a relatively high LCoE (Expansion Rate) compared to other material, such as metal. It is therefore necessary to make allowances for this property during installation to avoid damage that may occur with fluctuations in temperature.

Never Overtighten

Overtightening screws or fixings is a recipe for disaster, the stress is extremely likely to cause instant cracking of the panel. Wherever possible the use of washers to alleviate pressure at the hole site is recommended.

What is PETG Material?

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:41:38 GMT

If you are looking for high-quality plastic materials for upcoming projects, it is good to have a comprehensive understanding of the available options. For anyone evaluating plastic options for future projects or wishing to gain insights into the properties and advantages of PETG, this guide serves as a valuable resource.

The physical properties of PETG

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) belongs to the family of polyesters. It has a semi-crystalline form when stable. It is recyclable and shows resistance to impact, moisture, alcohols, and solvents. PETG indicates that the PET has been modified with Glycol to improve chemical and thermal behaviours whilst retaining similar ease of use.

PETG stands out as one of the most durable and versatile plastic materials in the market. PETG is recognised for its exceptional durability as a plastic material. Its inherent flexibility allows it to absorb impacts without shattering, facilitating ease of use in various applications. Additionally, PETG exhibits resistance to scratches, water damage, and chemicals, enabling it to withstand diverse conditions over extended periods. If your project demands a material that offers longevity and resilience, PETG is an excellent choice that will not easily succumb to breakage or wear.

• Durable
• Resilient
• Cost-Effective

Some uses of PETG Sheet across multiple industries

PETG is a very versatile material, renowned for its ease of fabrication, bending, and thermoforming capabilities. This adaptability makes it ideal for a diverse range of applications. PETG is extensively utilised in retail environments, including display cases, shelving units, and point-of-sale counters. Additionally, it can be effectively painted or printed, making it suitable for retail signage and other promotional materials. It is important to highlight that PETG is predominantly designed for indoor use, making it less suitable for outdoor signage that may be subjected to harsh environmental conditions. While the material exhibits resistance to UV-induced discoloration, prolonged exposure to outdoor elements can lead to gradual deterioration unless a protective coating is applied. Furthermore, PETG demonstrates commendable impact resistance, surpassing that of acrylic while falling short of polycarbonate. This characteristic positions it as a viable option for applications such as interior impact-resistant windows and doors, protective countertop systems, and display cases.

What are the primary uses of PETG vs other forms of plastic?

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) is distinguishable from other plastics in the market through its FDA-compliant status for food contact applications. This enables manufacturers to utilise PETG in food and beverage packaging solutions with assured safety and reliability. Despite being classified as a thermoplastic, PETG demonstrates exceptional thermal stability, maintaining its structural integrity in high-temperature environments and processes, such as in dishwashers and microwave appliances.

In the food and beverage sector, PETG has established significant market presence, particularly in the manufacturing of disposable bottles and containers for cooking oils and liquid consumables. Furthermore, PETG's commercial applications extend to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, where PETG's chemical resistance properties deliver substantial value. The material effectively withstands intensive sterilisation protocols and chemical treatments, making it an optimal choice for medical packaging applications where maintaining sterility and preventing contamination are mission-critical requirements.

Is PETG Recyclable?

Polyethylene Terephthalate is 100% recyclable. It is the most recycled plastic worldwide. PET can be easily identified on moulded products by its recycling code #1, as pictured in the image at the head of this article.

Reed Ward Plastic's commitment to sustainability

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:32:35 GMT

Reed Ward Plastics' role in a greener future

At Reed Ward Plastics Ltd , we are dedicated to helping advance environmental sustainability across multiple industries.

As trusted industrial stockists and distributors of high-quality plastic pipe products, we actively support the transition to a lower-carbon future by prioritising recycled polymer ranges , encouraging the use of low-emission plastic alternatives , and promoting suppliers who align with low carbon supply chain practices .

Whilst plastics have been vilified in the past couple of decades, this is due to the throw-away mentality of cheap convenience consumer products. In industry, plastic remains a very useful material and when used responsibly it is actually a very powerful asset in the fight for environmental sustainability.

Our plastic solutions…

Guarantee high efficiency throughout their service life due to corrosion resistance.
Are extremely durable; depending on the application, their service life can exceed 100 years.
Have a lower carbon footprint than metal alternatives
Are compatible with green building standards and certifications
Reduce transportation and installation efforts due to their lower weight
Are manufactured from recyclable materials, supporting a circular economy

We believe that environmental responsibility extends beyond manufacturing—and through the careful selection of sustainable products and a commitment to long-term performance and durability , we aim to help our customers reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, and meet their own sustainability goals.

Reed Ward Plastics is proud to play a responsible role in shaping a more efficient, lower-impact plastics industry. We are always happy to discuss a client's sustainabilty goals; we can provide advice on product selections to meet those goals along with product LCAs and EPDs to support our clients environmental mission.

Reed Ward Plastics and AMP8

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:04:32 GMT

What is AMP 8? What does it mean?

Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) is the latest five-year investment cycle for the UK water sector, running from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2030. Initiated by the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat), AMP8 sets ambitious targets for water companies to enhance service delivery, infrastructure resilience, and environmental sustainability.

Key Objectives of AMP 8

Reducing water leakage : Implementing smart technologies and better data to minimize water loss.
Improving wastewater management : Reducing storm overflow spills and internal sewer flooding.
Enhancing water quality : Ensuring safe and clean drinking water for all consumers.
Promoting sustainability : Investing in infrastructure upgrades and adopting innovative technologies to meet environmental goals.

With a record £96 billion requested for infrastructure and monitoring during AMP8, the program emphasizes resilience, sustainability, and value for money for customers.

The role of Reed Ward Plastics in AMP8

Reed Ward Plastics, a Manchester-based company established in 1989. We specialise in supplying and fabricating plastic pipes, fittings, valves, and sheet materials, primarily serving the industrial market, including the water treatment industry . As AMP8 introduces significant infrastructure investments and technological advancements, Reed Ward Plastics is well-positioned to support the water sector's modernisation efforts in three major ways.

Supplying Advanced Materials : By offering high-quality plastic components, Reed Ward Plastics can contribute to the construction and upgrading of water infrastructure, aligning with AMP8's focus on infrastructure resilience.
Providing Bespoke Fabrication Services : Custom fabrication of plastic parts allows Reed Ward Plastics to meet specific project requirements, supporting the tailored solutions needed for AMP8 initiatives.
Embracing Sustainability : By promoting the use of recycled and eco-friendly materials, and embracing low-carbon supply chains. Reed Ward Plastics continues to align with AMP8's environmental objectives, supporting water companies committed to sustainability.

Through these strategies, Reed Ward Plastics effectively contributes to the success of the objectives presented by AMP8, ensuring continued growth and alignment with industry advancements.