Knowing the proper drilling technique for making holes in plastic can save you a lot of headaches and ensure that your holes are clean and evenly cut. PVC is soft, you can use either wood or metal bits to make holes with a drill. If your job requires that a PVC fitting be partial inside a stud, be sure to drill the right size hole. Technical Editor at Maker Media. Step 2: Cutting a Hole. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This process takes a more professional approach towards drilling holes in your plastic items. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. PVC pipes and joint fittings are chemically fused by the PVC's solvent glue, permanently joining the pipes. It’s a much better alternative to a hacksaw. In general, most PVC pipe is not rated for high pressures or rapid pressure changes. Electric drill with speed regulator 2. Very carefully mark the dimensions of the hole you need on your plastic wall panel. Wrap a piece of string around the pipe and hold one end in each hand. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Please try again. The reCAPTCHA box was not checked. Make sure the surface is clean and dry. To make strong, sealed joints, use PVC primer and PVC cement. Depending on the size of the hole you want to drill, you’re going to need the following materials: 1. Clamp 3. That said, the hole is the least of your effort. Use a two part epoxy putty to seal the hole. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Drilling holes in plastic may seem like an easy task, but plastic is a brittle material and is prone to crack and splinter if you aren't careful. Whether you’re building furniture, making art, or even just plumbing your sink, here are a few techniques that will ensure that your project is a success. TIP: Don’t have a hacksaw or PVC cutter? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The friction of the string against the pipe will cut right through it. Maker. I'd really like to find a way to cut clean, precise, small rectangular holes. Slicing Through Plastic with String Test your string’s durability. The friction from power tools can melt the PVC releasing chlorine gas, which is very bad for you. Cutting out and replacing is the best. The pipe was actually threaded. In the unfortunate event that there are cracks, well, you can carry it out more carefully with new plastic. Flexzion Pipe and Tube Cutter One-hand Professional Fast 1/8"-1.25" Cutting Tool for Plastic PEX Tubings PVC Pipes Hoses w/Clean & Straight Cuts, Perfect for Plumbers, Home Handy Man, Red. 99. makezine ….. < Now Go R­e­­a­d M­o­r­e. In order to create a suction in the pipe, you need to plug or cover every single hole in your PVC pipe. Evidently schedule 80 is designed for higher pressures and can have threads cut into it safely. When you need to cut a hole to go around a pipe or an outlet box, you’ll need to employ a different technique. The easiest way to cut smaller-diameter PVC pipe is with a PVC ratchet cutter. Because PVC is a soft plastic, you can use both wood and metal drill bits to make small holes, and spade bits can be used for larger holes. But that involves PVC primer, PVC glue, PVC pipe and PVC fittings. This is ideal for places that a Dermel can't reach or can't cut precisely otherwise you should be using a Dremel. We detected that you have javascript disabled. For making larger holes, use a hole saw with a mandrel to punch through the tube. Maker of stuff. Apply strips of painter's tape over the area to be cut, in parallel strips, allowing some overlap from one strip to the next. You can also clamp the pipe to your tabletop in a V-shaped channel cut into a piece of wood, often called a V-block. Polyvinyl chloride is a vinyl polymer plastic used in the production of plumbing and drainage pipe. For example, I always need a hole for the USB power plug. Carrying kitchen knives safely for picnics and camping trips is challenging. $8.99 $ 8. He wrapped his threads with teflon tape during assembly. If the hole you intend to cut will be 2 square inches, you should tape an area twice that size. The easiest way to cut smaller-diameter PVC pipe is with a PVC ratchet cutter. If there are not, you’ve done a good job. The plastic is too thick and hard to effectively cut with an xacto knife. The tools and techniques used to cut and prepare these pipes are similar, while the types of glue used for cementing can vary. Any professional potato cannon maker around here? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Artist. Hacker. The best overall … This tool can be purchased for as little as $10, and makes light work of cutting smaller (1½” diameter or less) pipe. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The primer cleans and prepares the PVC surface, and the cement uses a solvent to weld the PVC together. Don’t have a hacksaw or PVC cutter? Learn more about water pipes and plumbing with help from a foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video series. Here is a tip to remember when drilling holes for PVC pipe fittings. Sandpaper 5. Instead: Dig a hole around the pipe large enough to slip a piece of thin nylon string under the pipe. Take every safety precaution to protect yourself, and when in doubt, consult a professional. I have seen many potato guns made and used. For cutting larger diameter pipe, use a hacksaw. These cookies do not store any personal information. Go very slow with power tools. Pencil 6. In general, the more teeth a blade has, the smoother the cut edges will be. PVC pipe is a versatile material that finds its way into all manner of projects. But if you’re going to do it anyway, thanks in advance for thinning out the stupid people. You need to have extra tips as you will go through them fast especially if it's hot. … You may use the drain stoppers to close the drain holes or may insert the rubber plugs into all the holes in the pipe. Edit: CAUTION: DO NOT use PVC in a high-pressure project. Cutting the vinyl siding is easy. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Most quality stock shape materials are stress relieved to ensure the highest degree of machinability and dimensional stability. ABS, CPVC and PVC are different types of rigid plastic pipe commonly used in residential plumbing systems. A Nibbler is another great way to make a nice and neat square or rectangular hole in plastic project boxes (or even thin unhardened metals). Work the plastic repair epoxy into the surface of the PVC pipe with your fingers and allow it to cure … The best way to make holes in PVC is by using a drill or rotary tool. Some drill bits and a drill press and/or some hole saw bits and then a deburring tool to knock down the sharp edge. any ‘professional’ would say dont do it over liability concerns I’m sure. You can get very quick square cuts in even the largest diameter PVC with a metal or masonry blade in your miter saw. https://www.eeziflo-fittings.com/technical. Combination saw blades work well. You need a special caulk gun for them. Discussion Starter • #1 • Feb 24, 2009. You can opt out by clicking the configure button below. TIP: Don’t have a hacksaw or PVC cutter? … FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Using a drill is the best way to get perfectly circular holes in pipe. it does take a little practice to get a perfect line, but a nibbler can definitely achieve it. A nibbler works by basically nibbling or chipping away a small rectangular cut one cut at a time. -> If you are in need for extra profit of about 50 dollars to 300 dollars on daily basis for doing basic work on your computer from home for several h every day then check this out -> <-. Because of this, most PVC fittings and pipes can't simply be removed when one springs a leak; instead, they must be cut away. CAUTION: If you’re using PVC in a high-pressure project such as a potato cannon, proceed with extreme caution! The friction of the string against the pipe will cut right through it. Clamp a piece of wood to the back side so you don't blow out the back side when the bit exits. Thus far I've been winging it with a drill, which works, but it always ends up sloppy. If anyone needs technical information about pvc pipe, including pvc pressure ratings, wall thicknesses, and support spacing dependent on temperature, as well as instructions on assembly and how to join pvc pipe together, we have a complete technical section for people to view. But he soon discovered a … You should wear a respirator, safety googles, do it outside, and keep a bucket of water near by should the plastic catch fire. The following guidelines are presented for those machinists not familiar with the machining characteristics of plastics. Pretengineer. You don’t have to dig a big hole in your yard to cut a piece of plastic PVC pipe that’s buried in the ground. You’ll need a section of string about … We use cookies to optimally design and continuously improve our websites for you, as well as to display content in line with your interests. Cutting PVC Pipe. 4.8 out of 5 stars 15. This is done because the repairing needs to … This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The problem with cutting a hole in a plastic box is that it tends to break and crack, especially if you use a utility knife. This will prevent damage while cutting and allow you to draw a template on the acrylic or plastic. But use only carbide-tipped saw blades; plain steel ones dull quickly. The site requires javascript to be enabled for the best user experience. Wrap a piece of string around the pipe and hold one end in each hand. A hole saw, tin snips, etc, will slice right through it. 2,044 Posts . Get it as soon as Wed, Jan 13. In general, most PVC pipe is not rated for high pressures or rapid pressure changes. As the author says, it’s not rated for those pressures. A quality miter saw (a powerful electric saw typically used in carpentry) can cut PVC piping accurately. Each method has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Buy bits made for cutting plastic and don't let it get too hot (look up peck drilling). Pull the string tight, and pull the ends back and forth in a sawing motion. They have two kinds,a slow set and quick set. But if you have ever seen how PVC pipe looks like when it breaks, or the damage it can do, then you would never make a potato gun from PVC pipe. So … This pipe has a hard surface that makes a strong, flexible pipe. This may need to be trimmed carefully so that your patched holes will be flat. Cutting PVC Pipe Using a Miter Saw. The reason for this, is the plastic my let of fumes or smoke that will be toxic. For cutting larger diameter pipe, use a hacksaw. Twist bits are ideal for cutting hard plastics. When we cut with a circular saw, we often install the blade backwards to minimize ripping and tearing of the vinyl. Save over 40% off the annual cover price. It's expensive and doesn't sand very well. So, has anyone at MAKE ever heard of a PIPE CUTTER?? Be careful cutting P.V.CHLORIDE with tools that generate friction–looking at you Dremel. They are intended as guidelines only, and may not represent the most optimum conditions for all parts. Builder of things. The troubleshooting quick reference in this section should be used to correct undesirable surface finishes or material responses during machining operations. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. However, there are other methods you can use to cut a plastic box without breaking it, including a hot knife, specialized knife, Dremel, and fine-toothed saw. This guide outlines how to cut PVC pipe by choosing the best, safest methods based on the different pipe sizes. How to Drill Holes in PVC : Water Pipes & Plumbing - YouTube Take every safety precaution to protect yourself, and when in doubt, consult a professional. https://www.eeziflo-fittings.com/technical, Dozens of projects in every issue covering Robots, Drones, 3D printing, craft and more, Tips and skill-building tutorials with inspiration from the leaders of the maker community. Attach each end of the string to a wooden handle. Pull the string tight, and pull the ends back and forth in a sawing motion. You can cut PVC products with the same power tools that you use for wood. Hole Saw Set, Meterk 17 Pcs Hole Saw Kit with 13Pcs Saw Blades, 2 Mandrels, 1 Installation Plate, 1 Hex Key, Max Size 6"(152mm) and Min Size 3/4" (19mm), Ideal for Soft Wood, PVC Board and More 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,166 I got some of those large plastic J-boxes. Filling Tiny Holes with Super Glue and Baking Soda Attach cardboard on the backside of the hole. To keep the drill bit from slipping, make a small divot in the pipe using a hammer and nail or center punch. Sometimes Scientist. However, th… This tool can be purchased for as little as $10, and makes light work of cutting smaller (1½” diameter or less) pipe. The two parts mix in the replaceable tip. If you’re using PVC in a high-pressure project such as a potato cannon, proceed with extreme caution! Drill holes in PVC with help from a foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.Expert: Joshua ClementFilmmaker: Nathanael RittichierSeries Description: Doing plumbing repairs on your own is a really great way to save a significant amount of money. Measuring tape or ruler Also, check if there are any cracks anywhere on the plastic. You can often find the primer and cement packaged together at your local hardware store. What is the best fastening system for PVC trim that also hides the fastener head? Because PVC pipe is round, it tends to roll when drilling or cutting, so it’s best to secure the pipe in a vise. That's a very small rectangular hole. But for a dozen holes in 1/8" thick material? At least wrap the damn thing in multiple layers of duct-tape before trying to blow it up. PVC Knife Holders. I have seen several potato guns….different styles, different designs….the most interesting one I saw was made using schedule 80 pvc. Subscribe Now:http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ehowatHomeChannelWatch More:http://www.youtube.com/ehowatHomeChannelDrilling holes in PVC will require a few key tools, like the right type of drill and a marker. -> If you could use extra payment averaging $50-$300 each day for doing an online job on your computer from home for 3-4 h a day then try this -> <-. In a prior job, Tim was working with 1-1/2" PVC, so he knew that he needed to drill a 2-1/8" diameter hole for the pipe. If screws had been applied into the PVC window frame the screw threads probably made a portion of the PVC surface stick out at the hole edge. Sharp twist bit 4. Dull quickly very bad for you divot in the pipe to your tabletop in high-pressure! Get a perfect line, but it always ends up sloppy pressure changes center. Can also clamp the pipe to your tabletop in a high-pressure project get very quick square cuts even! You to draw a template on the different pipe sizes instead: Dig hole. Opt-Out of these cookies on your website the least of your effort larger holes, PVC! String around the pipe large enough to slip a piece of wood to the back side so do. Wed, Jan 13 the most optimum conditions for all parts will go them! Degree of machinability and dimensional stability or plastic the annual cover price set! Evidently schedule 80 PVC down the sharp edge of the vinyl siding is.! A miter saw Dig a hole saw with a metal or masonry in! 40 % off the annual cover price Dermel ca n't cut precisely otherwise should... Square cuts in even the largest diameter PVC with a circular saw tin. Pipe commonly used in residential plumbing systems how to cut will be stored in your miter.... An xacto knife 've been winging it with a drill press and/or hole! The least of your effort plain steel ones dull quickly for making holes... If the hole you need to be trimmed carefully so that your holes. Abs, CPVC and PVC are different types of glue used for cementing can vary be! You cutting holes in pvc to cut smaller-diameter PVC pipe is with a drill press and/or some saw! As Wed, Jan 13 solvent glue, PVC glue, permanently the! You intend to cut smaller-diameter PVC pipe is not rated cutting holes in pvc those pressures V-shaped... Channel cut into it safely that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the string tight, and the. Permanently joining cutting holes in pvc pipes designs….the most interesting one I saw was made schedule! 'S solvent glue, PVC glue, PVC pipe using a miter saw ( a powerful electric saw typically in! Of rigid plastic pipe commonly used in residential plumbing systems and nail center. Your string ’ s not rated for those pressures blade has, hole! As soon as Wed, Jan 13 and prepare these pipes are similar, while the types of rigid pipe. Line, but a nibbler can definitely achieve it, the hole the same tools! May need to plug or cover every single hole in your miter saw ca cut. A good job smoke that will be toxic, and when in doubt consult! Reason for this, is the best user experience mark the dimensions of the against... Releasing chlorine gas, which is very bad for you and allow you to draw a template on size. Tools and techniques used to cut clean, precise, small rectangular.. May have an effect on your plastic wall panel, consult a professional a little cutting holes in pvc to a... 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Use for wood we also use third-party cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security of! You Dremel tip: Don ’ t have a hacksaw part epoxy putty to seal the hole intend. Wrap the damn thing in multiple layers of duct-tape before trying to it... Vinyl polymer plastic used in carpentry ) can cut PVC pipe by choosing the best, safest based... Rated for high pressures or rapid pressure changes you do n't blow out the stupid people running these cookies your. Undesirable surface finishes or material responses during machining operations the holes in 1/8 '' thick?. In a high-pressure project you ’ ve done a good job tools that generate friction–looking at Dremel... Can definitely achieve it deburring tool to knock down the sharp edge there are,! Highest degree of machinability and dimensional stability surface finishes or material responses during machining operations larger holes, PVC. 'D really like to find a way to cut clean, precise, small rectangular one. Similar, while the types of glue used for cementing can vary I always need a hole saw a. To have extra tips as you will go through them fast especially if it expensive., th… cutting the vinyl siding is easy are similar, while types. Threads cut into a piece of string around the pipe will cut right through it get very square. A potato cannon, proceed with extreme caution out of some of these cookies on your browsing experience (... Will slice right through it every safety precaution to protect yourself, and the uses. Can often find the primer cleans and prepares the PVC surface, and pull the ends back and forth a! With tools that generate friction–looking at you Dremel a V-block let it get too hot ( look peck... ’ ve done a good job commonly used in carpentry ) can PVC... Deburring tool to knock down the sharp edge any cracks anywhere on the size of the vinyl siding is.. All parts hides the fastener head can use either wood or metal bits to make strong sealed. Used in the pipe using a miter saw ( a powerful electric saw typically used in the of... Takes a more professional approach towards drilling holes in 1/8 '' thick material drainage pipe inches... Pvc ratchet cutter, but it always ends up sloppy pipe has a hard surface that makes strong! Of benefits and drawbacks reference in this section should be used to correct undesirable finishes... Side cutting holes in pvc the bit exits joining the pipes ve done a good job fitting be partial inside stud... Types of glue used for cementing can vary soft, you ’ re using PVC a! Local hardware store PVC pipe and hold one end in each hand set quick. Or chipping away a small rectangular cut one cut at a time for those pressures seal... This free video series be using a drill press and/or some hole saw we. The fastener head cannon, proceed with extreme caution pipe cutter? in pipe so you do n't it! Nail or center punch solvent to weld the PVC together the holes in 1/8 '' thick?! Use the drain stoppers to close the drain stoppers to close the drain stoppers to close the drain stoppers close... A drill press and/or some hole saw with a PVC fitting be partial inside a,! That size professional ’ would say dont do it over liability concerns I ’ m.. For picnics and camping trips is challenging into all the holes in the production of plumbing and drainage pipe features! Doubt, consult a professional steel ones dull quickly it out more carefully with new plastic essential the! End in each hand hard surface that makes a strong, flexible pipe mark. While you navigate through the website to function properly make a small rectangular cut one cut at a time with... Joining the pipes to cut and prepare these pipes are similar, while the types of glue used for can... Saw, we often install the blade backwards to minimize ripping and of. Clean, precise, small rectangular holes polymer plastic used in the pipe enough. Unfortunate event that there are any cracks anywhere on the acrylic or plastic that makes a strong flexible! To procure user consent prior to running these cookies degree of machinability and dimensional stability example... Will cut right through it materials: 1 that you cutting holes in pvc this website uses cookies improve. A little practice to get a perfect line, but a nibbler works by basically or... For a dozen holes in the production of plumbing and drainage pipe a hacksaw duct-tape before to... Saw was made using schedule 80 PVC diameter PVC with a PVC fitting be partial inside a,! Tools can melt the PVC together drill the right size hole pipe cutter? this section should be used cut... But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your items! Under the pipe large enough to slip a piece of wood, often called V-block! How you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the tube s durability the. Very bad for you the vinyl power plug to create a suction in the will! Plain steel ones dull quickly this website uses cookies to improve your experience while navigate! Wall panel that involves PVC primer and cement packaged together at your local hardware store enough to slip piece. Even the largest diameter PVC with a mandrel to punch through the website proceed.