Tub Holes

The tubs for my new AP rack are getting delivered tomorrow!

Holes: how do you make them? I used a drill on my current tubs and they left sharp spots and sometimes cracked into the tub a little as I was drilling. They're pretty sloppy holes from the drill with a 3/8 in bit.

I hear people use soldering irons, like the 10 dollar one at Walmart. Doesn't that leave burnt black plastic goo around the edges of the holes? How do you avoid that?

I see some people who put 2 holes in the front and 2 holes in the back and call it a day. Others make elaborate arrays of holes across the whole side of the tub. What kind of humidity differential do you look for in maintaining that balance? 10% higher than outside? 20%?

Those of you who have nice clean-drilled/melted tubs... how do you do that?!

I use a wood burned also 10 bucks at wal mart. Doesnt leave that much of a mess.

I use one of those cheap $10 soldering irons and it works great, will never use a drill again for ventilation on plastic.

I use a drill. I carefully drill the holes not putting too much pressure on the plastic. Then if there are any burrs left, I use a pair of pliers to pull it out. Usually end up with a smooth edge. I would think using something to melt the plastic wouldn't be too healthy for your lungs.

$5 solder pen from Harbor Freight ~ clean and no worries about cracking a tub

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John1982

I use one of those cheap $10 soldering irons and it works great, will never use a drill again for ventilation on plastic.

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Agreed 100% ^^^^^

Soldering iron. When you put the holes in, do it from the inside of the tub pushing out. Where the soldering iron pokes through the plastic sometimes leaves a sharp edge on the outside. If you poke from the outside in, it could leave an edge on the inside of the tub, where the snake can rub it.

Be sure to do this outside or in an area with good ventilation. The fumes smell pretty bad.

Yup. Soldering iron. Got mine for $5 at Walmart.
It doesn't leave any burn marks. It's really easy. Like slicing butter with a knife.

And I second the notion to do it outside or by a stovetop vent. The fumes from the melting plastic are pretty strong.

I do 5 evenly spaced holes on the left and right side of the tub. I get a perfect 60% without misting. You may want to try fewer holes first and adjust accordingly.

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I use a drill bit with my handheld dremel. (1/8" I think) If done slowly with not much pressure, it doesn't crack the tub. Once the bit starts heating up, it sort of just melts right through with little effort. I pick off the small bit of melted plastic around the hole, and it's perfect.

Wood burner!! :thumbsup:

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I use a drill and 3/8 inch bit (for balls at least), pick off any plastic curls, then hit the hole from each side with one of those wind-resistant lighters. The ones with a flame like a small acetylene torch. Melts any sharp or jagged edges, and since the flame is directed into a point rather than lapping all over like a normal lighter I don't get nasty black marks. Learned that after one ugly tub. I've only ever used this method on Sterilite tubs, so I can't say how it will work on others. I've also never had any problem with cracking, and I press pretty hard, enough to bow the plastic from the pressure. Again this is with Sterilite tubs which are made of a pretty soft plastic.

Cheap Soldering Iron... Easy Fast dont need to worry about cracking Tubs...

That Pictures of my Holes in RBI Rack:

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/...422_200111.jpg

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/...422_200102.jpg

Yea, I got a cheap soldering iron from Wal-Mart and it works great. As far as how many holes, there really is no set amount of holes you have to add the holes as needed to get your humidity right.

Here's a couple pics of my wood-burner holes.

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/...ttark/tub2.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/...ottark/tub.jpg

Damn, that's a lot of responses.. Thanks everyone :D