Cutting oil needed for drilling acrylic?

[sphelps]

Ok but in all seriousness you don't need lube for tapping acrylic, go slow, back out ever turn or so and clean tap. If you do use lube pretty much anything can be used safely provided you can clean it off after.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Ok but in all seriousness you don't need lube for tapping acrylic, go slow, back out ever turn or so and clean tap. If you do use lube pretty much anything can be used safely provided you can clean it off after.

Agreed. If you are tapping acrylic (and not polycarbonate) you can do it without tapping fluid. Use a 4 flute tap if you can to give you better chip clearance and to reduce chances chipping the edges and threads of the acrylic (you'll need to be careful that you are going in straight).

[Parker]

I'm not sure the flange on PM reactors is acrylic, if I had to guess I'd say PVC, it's probably around 3/4" thick off the top of my head.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by Parker

I'm not sure the flange on PM reactors is acrylic, if I had to guess I'd say PVC, it's probably around 3/4" thick off the top of my head.

If it's PVC, you'll definitely be fine. The harder, more brittle the material, the more of a pain in the arse. PVC are relatively soft and forgiving, so you should be find. Polycarbonate will give you a bit more trouble.

[vanreefer]

I agree tap it dry... and always go in straight!!