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Ventilation holes

I've always used a soldering iron to melt holes in my plastic tubs, as I think you get a smoother, neater finish. With hatchling tubs I don't let the iron go all the way through, just let the tip penetrate the plastic. With the bigger tubs if you want bigger holes you just wiggle the tip around in a circle a bit before taking the iron out of the hole.

I do all my melting in the kitchen with the extractor fan on, so I don't have a problem with fumes. But you can do it in the garden/yard or just with a window or outside door open with no problems.
 
I used a soldering iron too. Even my tiniest hatchlings can't get out of the holes...

hide.jpg
 
Buy yourself a $14 woodburning tool with a 1/8" tip. It's the perfect size for hatchling to adult. No worries and no hassles like having to do the holes twice if you drill (once to make the hole, again to clean the rough edges). Besides, what's wrong with breathing in a few plastic fumes?? :crazy01:

D80
 
I use a soldering iron as well. I just use it outside, so no issues with fumes (I wouldn't want fumes inside anyway because I have a bird). I use the same size for my adults as I do for hatchlings. I used to drill holes but I didn't like the mess or the sharp edges. I really like the look of the tubs from the soldering iron, very clean look.
 
OK.
Thanks for all the advice. I decided to use my Dremel with the conical shaped drill bit. I experimented a little and got the best results drilling through scotch tape (holes on left side).
Here is a pic:
100_0483.jpg
 
dogsNdragons said:
OK.
Thanks for all the advice. I decided to use my Dremel with the conical shaped drill bit. I experimented a little and got the best results drilling through scotch tape (holes on left side).
Here is a pic:
100_0483.jpg
Click to expand...

I love this, looks like small bullet holes. Maybe the snakes are mobilizing for world domination?
 
Add another vote to the soldering iron side. I played with the lovely toxic fumes yesterday. Actually it wasn't too bad. Did it in the bathroom with the fan on and all I got was a mild headache.

It came out pretty good I think. Pics will be coming next weekend when the snakes arrive. That, and I need to find my camera. :)

Shannon
 
I used a soldering iron on my first rack, but when I got the 2nd I used a rotary tool (Dremel clone) and 1/8" diamond coated drill bits. It's almost as fast, but cleaner holes and no plastic fumes as long as you keep the rpms down.

The same method works great drilling air holes in acrylic plastic cubes for tarantulas.
 
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