Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am setting up a new rack as I type and I have a question. How do you drill your holes in the boxes. I am using a drill and getting a lot of rough edges. Is there some trick or secret to make this easier on me and of course safer for the animals?

Thanks!
-----
David Jobe
Education Curator
Mill Mountain Zoo
Roanoke, VA

Putting tape over the spot where the drill bit will be coming out. Most of all slow way down and drill slow give the bit time to do its thing. And dont put pressure on it. I know I have been guilty of kinda laying on the drill pushing the bit through.....DONT. Thats the best suggestions I can give.

Good Luck
Toby
-----
www.Wood-N-Snakes.com

Although I have not used the specific boxes you are using,I have worked with Plexi-glas and similar products. For drilling the air holes and etc. I have found that using Plas-dril brand bits to be just fine.
You should be able to find them at any local shop that works with plexi-glas or similar. Maybe even Home Depot and Lowe's.
Here's a link to what type of bit I mean.

:Mark
Link

-----
Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

I use Iris tubs, and my solution after trying every approach in the book was to use a Dremel tool and standard drill bits at high RPM. High RPM and reasonable pressure and I punched right through cleanly. Any less pressure or slower speed and I had the edges also. Crank up the RPM and punch it right through.

You can burn holes in using a soldering pencil, but it leaves a big ugly hole. The Dremel and high RPM is the only thing that worked, and it worked well. My holes are nearly invisible and have no edges inside or out.

nm