[SOLVED] Would you drill & tap your acrylic/plexi reservoir?

[Craig C2]

My radiator will sit outside the case, so it would be convenient if I had a G1/4" threaded hole in the front of the reservoir (besides the one in the back). There are G1/4" BSP taps such as:

amazon.com/Uxcell-a15111900ux0239-Flutes-Thread-Length/dp/B01BF4OE2Y
amazon.com/GEARWRENCH-388769N-Bsp-Tap-Black/dp/B00UM5YSQK
Would you feel safe drilling and tapping into acrylic/plexiglass? I'm concerned about chiping or cracking, even if I use lube and a drill press.

 

[USAFRet]

Only if I had a sheet of plexi of identical thickness and composition to practice with first.
A few dozen practice holes first, to get the exact procedure/speed/pressure down.

And what, exactly, would you be drilling into? Pictures, please.

 

[Craig C2]

I haven't bought the res yet; just planning the fittings I will need.
Something standalone, clear, dual-bay:

^ Alphacool, $37

^ Phobya, $43

^ Phobya, $42
I'd also like a bottom G1/4 hole in the res that goes to the standalone pump, but then I have to stop the cyclone somehow..

 

[USAFRet]

As with any DIY project like this, I'd test multiple times with non critical parts first.
Be it wood, plastic, metal, whatever. Test with sacrificial material first, rather than the one and only irreplaceable part.

 

[Craig C2]

I did some searching. At home depot, the smallest size acrylic sheet is almost as much as a new res.

Also how would I stop the cyclone if i put a fitting in the bottom?

 

[USAFRet]

I did some searching. At home depot, the smallest size acrylic sheet is almost as much as a new res.

Also how would I stop the cyclone if i put a fitting in the bottom?

Yes, the sacrificial test material can cost just as much as the actual 'thing'.
But you get to do a bunch of test holes in it.

I'm just saying...as a reasonably accomplished DIY guy, with a garage full of tools...I would absolutely NOT do my first drill hole into that plexi case, and just hope for the best.

Cyclone? I'd have to see it in operation to determine what to do.
Impossible to predict. Different liquids and different pumps may create different eddy currents inside.

 

[Craig C2]

Bump.
Anyone else have any experience drilling plexi?

 

[truegenius]

i have drilled acrylic multiple times to design a wall mounted pc.
If you want to drill on side of a tube reservoir then forget it as the curve will prevent the seal of fittings to be airtight.
If you want those box type reservoir then its easy as cake.

Just start with lower size bit and gradually increase the bit size ( eg to get 10mm hole start with 1mm drill all the way then 2 mm drill all the way then 3mm up 10mm) Although you don't need to use this much bits but just for a start i recommend doing this. ( i drill 3mm hole in 5mm thick acrylic without using other bits, but for 10mm i start with 3 then then 5 then with 1 mm gap as the wider hole is more prone to crack than smaller whole )

Also use oil and don't let the acrylic to overheat as if it overheat then it will melt and stick to the bit and may brake the bit or get cracked or bit may get stuck in acrylic.
If you get it stuck then no problem use oil and rotate bit counter clockwise with hands ( don't start drill machine to do counter clock rotation ) to get it out.

Also don't keep bit in acrylic when you are all the way through without any problem, keep it spinning and take it out else you will again can get stuck as some acrylic will probably melt anyway and will stick to the bit if you stopped it

 

[rubix_1011]

They do make standalone cylinder reservoirs with anti-cyclone built in and multiple ports. Why wouldn't something like that work rather than butchering up something that isn't built how you want?

 

[Craig C2]

Yeah, good point rubix. I started a thread on that topic:
forums.tomshardware.com/threads/how-do-these-cylinder-reservoirs-work.3489335/

 

[rubix_1011]

I added comments on that one as well.