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:

I solder the holes out doors or directly in front of an open window with a fan blowing. No fumes for me. :)

My soldering iron is from Ace Hardware and it was 10-12 dollars.

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Originally Posted by Sarin

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.

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its not going to be something that you can see right away.

think about lead poisoning , or smoking. you're not going to see the effects right away, but it doesn't mean its not doing anything to you.

but do whatever you like.

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Originally Posted by pliskin

its not going to be something that you can see right away.

think about lead poisoning , or smoking. you're not going to see the effects right away, but it doesn't mean its not doing anything to you.

but do whatever you like.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sarin

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:

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:) Already corrected myself. I didn't mean to go telling anyone to solder in a poorly vented room.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kyle@theHeathertoft

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!

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you can use a spade bit and a drill or you can use a soldering gun to melt holes.

Pitoon

wood burner didnt work?

thats what I use. Its a craft wood burner comes with interchangable ends. I just use a pointy end, plug it in and it works great.

i prefer to use a soldering iron, although do keep in mind it should be done in a well ventilated room, i on the other hand do my holes outside so i have no problem. here's the one i have, i picked it up at walmart for like $12 and it comes with 3 interchangeable bits.

http://i47.tinypic.com/4qj020.jpg

I use a soldering iron too...Some fumes might do some damage but it can't be worth than smoking and I do that more than soldering holes in my tubs...:D:D:D

I use the soldering iron now, but have used a spade bit like was mentioned earlier. It will not crack the tub and leaves a burr free hole as well.

I have used both methods.
Soldering iron is faster and easier and makes smoother holes. But it does stink.
Drilling will work to, use a sharp bit and use a razor blade to clean up any sharp parts on the inside. But the soldering iron is the easiest.

I just created a single tub for my little bp and used a drill to drill out the holes. Start in on the inside though and work outwords, because if you don't you will leave sharp edges around the holes on the interior that your snake will get cut on.

To ensure the holes are smooth I took an exacto knife and went around the holes cutting away any excess.

I did this because I am cheap. Lowe's sells a soldering iron that is battery operated. You just hold the button when you want to use it and it heats up almost instantly. This way you don't have to worry about wires or leaving the iron hot when you are trying to work. Wish I could find mine, would have saved me a lot of time.

Good luck! :salute: