how easy is it to crack Perspex?

[Him]

Recently I've been doing some modding to my computer, first ones ever, and I accidently broke the holder on my case windows for a fan. I could snap a fan into the window, for extra circulation. If I was to drill some holes through it, would the Perspex crack? How easily does it crack?

[Pug]

Very easily if you treat it like metal or wood.
We've had a thread on it somewhere but basically, if you have a cordless drill and standard drill bits, I think you can get away with running it slowly in reverse.

Test on a bit of scrap first, if you can. :thumb:

[fillip]

Very easily if you treat it like metal or wood.
We've had a thread on it somewhere but basically, if you have a cordless drill and standard drill bits, I think you can get away with running it slowly in reverse.

Test on a bit of scrap first, if you can. :thumb:

To add to that I always suggest putting a piece of plywood either side or on top at the very least. This seems to help prevent any up and down stresses which can cause cracks in the perspex.

[Starbuck3733T]

And don't let it come in contact with any alcohol... that may not crack it, but it'll make it more prone to cracking for sure.

[toby]

try to avoid drilling close to the edges as well as it can crack quite easy like that

[Him]

Oh man, those are some great responses! I love it when you get nothing but the facts in a thread, thanks.

I dont have any extra Perspex laying around, so I would be able to test. I have a cordless drill, and a nice set of Titanium Carbide drill bits. So your saying I should put the drill on reverse and run it very slowly?

Also was said about putting a peice of plywood on either side, which is a swell idea. I'm thinking sandwiching the Perspex in between two peices, nicely clamping them to the bench, and then drilling (very SLOWLY) the holes. Is this a good way to do it?

Thank you for your preimo responses, I have a feeling i am going to learn an extremely large amount at this forum.

[fivecheebs]

Also was said about putting a peice of plywood on either side, which is a swell idea. I'm thinking sandwiching the Perspex in between two peices, nicely clamping them to the bench, and then drilling (very SLOWLY) the holes. Is this a good way to do it?

Thats a very good way to do it. FWIW, ive never had a problem with drilling acrilic. I always use a slow drill, going the correct way, and work up in size in small increments. Its the big holes that are tricky where you should definately clamp some scrap wood each side if possible. Also secure your workpice down very securely. drill bits have a tendency to catch if you get slightly off line when running the correct way, running backwards would help counter that.