Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So i know there are other ways to put holes in tubs but for the life of me i can think of what you can use to melt holes making it cleaner and avoiding cracking when drilling. What to use?

heading to the hardware store......
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Dave
Phila, PA

www.DNReptiles.com
Myspace/DNReptiles
Photobucket Album

Buy a cheap soldering iron. It works great.
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globalreptiles.ca

Soldering iron leaves a 'clean' hole...

I've seen other herpers use a small drill bit, but, it leaves a 'dirty' hole that smaller snakes (small/med. sized colubrids) can damage their snouts pushing against when they get to wandering.

Good Luck.

BB
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"Have you hugged your drummer today?" --- Me

If you are cracking tubs when using the drill you are pushing too hard. Let the bit cut the plastic and don't push so hard. Soldering irons only leave a clean hole on one side. The side you push from will have a build up of melted plastic. It also stinks when melting the plastic but it seems to be the easiest way to make the holes in a fairly quick manner. Drilling takes longer. The last rack I made had the tubs hang by their edges and had pegboard tops so I didn't have to drill any holes in the tubs that go in it. Don't put holes too close to the bottom of the tubs or they will find a way to push feces and urine out of it.

for some reason I have found that drilling is way faster than melting... I have had very little problems with cracking using the RubberMaid brand tubs... the soldering iron will in fact make as much of a mess as drilling if you are not careful (spikes of melted plastic harden)... even when drilling, I check to make sure to sharp piece of plastic it missed to be sure... Very time consuming, for sure

Good luck,
Bristen.

>>If you are cracking tubs when using the drill you are pushing too hard. Let the bit cut the plastic and don't push so hard. Soldering irons only leave a clean hole on one side. The side you push from will have a build up of melted plastic. It also stinks when melting the plastic but it seems to be the easiest way to make the holes in a fairly quick manner. Drilling takes longer. The last rack I made had the tubs hang by their edges and had pegboard tops so I didn't have to drill any holes in the tubs that go in it. Don't put holes too close to the bottom of the tubs or they will find a way to push feces and urine out of it.
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www.RoyalGemReptiles.com

I hate that burning plastic smell and it ruins your sldering iron tip.

I use a small bit, like 3/8ths of an inch, I try and let the drill do all the work and I put almost no pressure. After the 3/8th bit goes all the way through, I then put a very large bit like 3/4 of an inch. I only use the tapered tip of the bit to smooth the jagged edge of the hole,and I make sure it doesnt go all the way trough the plastic. I use the tapered end on one side, then I use it from the other direction, which cleans the whole up completely.

This works the best and doesnt give off any carcinogenic fumes like the burning plastic w/lead residue does,

A "cheap" soldering iron and a piece of peg board cut to length as a template. The holes are very clean and evenly spaced out. I am a bit OCD when it comes to things like that and this method has worked the best.
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Greg Power
B.O.A. Inc
boainc@gmail.com

Get yourself a step-drill bit. It's a mulit-level, cone shaped drill bit that cuts clean and doesn't even crack brittle plastic. Set your drill on low speed and go slow. It's just as fast as a soldier gun but without the fumes. It also leaves a very clean hole. Have fun.

Brandon Osborne
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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

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Louis Kirkland
Cornerstone Reptiles

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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

Brandon, I have used these bit to drill through sheet metal, they wont tear up plastic?

Also, I noticed the Het Albino Goini King on your site. I really like this variety of Kingsnake, not even the Albino variety for my own personal taste, the normal is awesome looking. Have you been working with these for a long time? Really nice, I like the black & white contrast and I love snakes that have that rough scaled look. Is this species hard to keep? I hope you do not mind me posting the pic....

Picture below from Brandon Osborne

but we have some photos of how the soldering iron works for us. This is an old page we put up showing how we built our racks. Scroll to the bottom and click on the pictures to enlarge them.
http://www.reptilianprojects.com/ladderrack.html

Troy Dozier

I was just reading over that page. It's quite informative. I'm sure we'll be able to use those hints and tips on the next rack.. Thanks

Kudos
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)

They DO NOT tear the plastic up. They make a super clean hole and it looks factory....even on brittle polycarb plastics.

Also, I noticed the Het Albino Goini King on your site. I really like this variety of Kingsnake, not even the Albino variety for my own personal taste, the normal is awesome looking. Have you been working with these for a long time? Really nice, I like the black & white contrast and I love snakes that have that rough scaled look. Is this species hard to keep? I hope you do not mind me posting the pic....

I've been working with Goini for about 15 years or so. They've been one of my favorite kings along with brooksi. The big white brooksi on my site I've had for over 14 years since a hatchling. They are VERY hardy snakes and will eat whatever left over rodents you might have at the end of feeding day.....and I don't mind you posting that pic at all. BTW, I sold my albino and het animals and just want to concentrate on the red morph and anery cross.

Thanks
Brandon Osborne
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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

Small woodburner in craft dept....you can also get a tiny bit that works good for deli cups.
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Dale....dgoins222@yahoo.com
www.LibertyReptiles.com

A small $7.00 woodburner from the art supply department at Wal-Mart.
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)

They sell them here.... and they work GREAT!
They are local, so I was able to pick mine up.
Also has a nice plastic drilling tip PDF... but when you are drilling MANY tubs, just don't force the bit too hard, and keep your hand steady and speed consistent, and you will have had great success.
http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=161