using a dremel to cut notch in acrylic overflow fish guard?

CTaylor · 11/19/2017, 01:51 PM

Hi,
I just wired my tunze wave maker pumps to go down a pipe in my overflow box. This pipe was put in for this function. This was done so the wires dont have to drape out over the tank (like they have been until I finally 'wired' then just now).

*I have a overflow cover so fish dont jump into it. I have a dremel (never ever even used it lol). It has a lot of attachments, about 25. I'm sure some are for cutting. Can a dremel bit cut an acrylic lid? (the type of course that is for a lid).

thanks

outy · 11/19/2017, 02:21 PM

Yes. It works on just about any material.

Lsufan · 11/19/2017, 02:23 PM

Yes it will cut acrylic. U will have to use some type of guide to keep it straight. Something like a table saw works best on straight cuts. I use a dremel to cut circles in acrylic & it works fine as long as u have a guide

Smokey Stover · 11/19/2017, 02:36 PM

Practice on some scrap first.

CTaylor · 11/19/2017, 09:39 PM

sh*t.. i have neither scrap nor a guide. I just need to cut a small notch so the 1/4" max diameter cord can go into it. doesnt need to be totally perfect, but 70% would be good. I thikn I make this notch just a 'V' << with the cord fit into the space of the V. So then I would just need two simple cuts.

outy · 11/19/2017, 09:53 PM

Use a round stone and just make your notch, to many here overthought something stupidly simple.

CTaylor · 11/19/2017, 10:03 PM

well I wasnt clear

. A notch sounds like a cut then a turn and a cut, like a 'U'. Which is what i was goign to do, til I thought, wait I dont need all that

. I'm going to give it a go

gargoylenest · 11/20/2017, 06:10 AM

using most of the bits will result on the molten acrylic sticking to it and making it unusable. I use the drill bit like tip that is especially made to cut from the sides, that is the best tip I found to work great on acrylic.

Vinny Kreyling · 11/20/2017, 09:35 AM

They make drill bits for acrylic if you are so inclined. The angle on the tip is vary pronounced.

11/19/2017, 01:51 PM	#1
CTaylor Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,524	using a dremel to cut notch in acrylic overflow fish guard? Hi, I just wired my tunze wave maker pumps to go down a pipe in my overflow box. This pipe was put in for this function. This was done so the wires dont have to drape out over the tank (like they have been until I finally 'wired' then just now). *I have a overflow cover so fish dont jump into it. I have a dremel (never ever even used it lol). It has a lot of attachments, about 25. I'm sure some are for cutting. Can a dremel bit cut an acrylic lid? (the type of course that is for a lid). thanks

11/20/2017, 09:35 AM	#9
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	They make drill bits for acrylic if you are so inclined. The angle on the tip is vary pronounced. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

11/19/2017, 02:21 PM	#2
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	Yes. It works on just about any material.

11/19/2017, 02:23 PM	#3
Lsufan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 1,410	Yes it will cut acrylic. U will have to use some type of guide to keep it straight. Something like a table saw works best on straight cuts. I use a dremel to cut circles in acrylic & it works fine as long as u have a guide

11/19/2017, 02:36 PM	#4
Smokey Stover Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Largo, Florida Posts: 361	Practice on some scrap first.

11/19/2017, 09:39 PM	#5
CTaylor Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,524	sh*t.. i have neither scrap nor a guide. I just need to cut a small notch so the 1/4" max diameter cord can go into it. doesnt need to be totally perfect, but 70% would be good. I thikn I make this notch just a 'V' << with the cord fit into the space of the V. So then I would just need two simple cuts.

11/19/2017, 09:53 PM	#6
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	Use a round stone and just make your notch, to many here overthought something stupidly simple.

11/19/2017, 10:03 PM	#7
CTaylor Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,524	well I wasnt clear . A notch sounds like a cut then a turn and a cut, like a 'U'. Which is what i was goign to do, til I thought, wait I dont need all that . I'm going to give it a go

11/20/2017, 06:10 AM	#8
gargoylenest Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: montreal,canada Posts: 135	using most of the bits will result on the molten acrylic sticking to it and making it unusable. I use the drill bit like tip that is especially made to cut from the sides, that is the best tip I found to work great on acrylic.