Making holes in plastic tubs?

I'm a herper on a budget here, please bear that in mind when answering! I have a few new tubs...I'm trying to construct a snake rack. My problem is how to most effectively put air holes in them. I have read that drilling isn't ideal as it can leave rough edges, which snakes can hurt themselves on (especially wee ones) and that a soldering gun works well. I tried my woodburner, no luck...borrowed my dad's soldering gun, and once again, no luck. It seems to be just melting the plastic into dome shapes instead of nice, neat holes.

What methods or products do you use to put holes in your tubs? Do you even have holes in them? Can I get away with a slight distance between tub lip and shelf for air? I open each tub every day to visually check each snake, even with more animals I don't forsee changing this habit, so I figure that helps freshen the air in there.

Advice?

Thanks in advance for your time!

Got to Radio shack and get the $10 soldering iron. It's cheap and you won't have to beg Dad for his. Get it hot and plunge it into the tub. It will burn right throuogh the tub. Easy!

Jim Smith

Awesome. I'll hit the local store on the way home. Thanks!

Harbor Freight has some cheapie soldering irons too.

we just used a 1/4 inch drill bit, and were extremely careful not to crack em.

Soldering iron

It leaves the holes smooth when your done.

UNLIKE MY PERSONAL experiences with drilling holes.

Yeah it works, but I always ended up running the soldering iron around the hole to smooth it out.

personally , I don't like the soldering iron method.

it stinks too much , and I don't like breathing in melted plastic fumes. If you do use the soldering iron , make sure you do it in a well ventilated area , or have an exhaust fan to draw away the fumes.

I find it much easier to just drill the holes.

if you're worried about cracking the tub , just clamp a piece of scrap wood on the other side of the tub.

as far as rough edges go, if you're concerned about that , then just go up a couple of sizes on the drill bit and then chamfer the edges with the larger bit and you'll have a smooth hole.

Soldering all the way.. Makes nice smooth holes and looks decent afterwards. I've drilled before and it is just too much trouble.

I solder in a small 9x10 poorly vented room and it has no ill effects on me. But everyone's different and has their own opinions.

Do it enough and it's dangerous.

I drill. I don't mind the cleanup or the rough edges, theres nothing wrong with some rough edges.. I mean, it's not like the rest of the world is smooth and perfect.

I've only done a few tubs so I'd assume if you're doing quite a few at a time it'd be best to be in a more vented room LOL don't take me wrong.

It all depends on what people prefer to do. Drill or Solder there's nothing wrong with either way. :gj: