DIY: Drilling or milling acrylic?

[makai]

Does any body have have any experiance with drilling or milling acrylic?
I've worked some years at a machine shop and have access to the shop. I know some plastics will internally shatter or spider crack. Will acrylic do the same?
I drew the plans and scanned them...had to shrink them. hope you can see. You'll see on the bottom where i want to mill the groove....

 

[makai]

let me try again....

 

[makai]

bottom....
I want to slide the 1/4' sides,front and back into the groove just a 1/4" of an inch.

 

[nyfisherman]

DRILLED 1/4" WITH A HOLE SAW, ONLY PROBLEM IS THE ACRYLIC HEATS UP AND ACTUALLY MELTS TO THE SAW. IT GETS STUCK INSIDE AND I TOOK A TORCH TO IT TO MELT IT OUT. THE HOLE IN THE ACRYLIC IS A LITTLE RUFF. A SHARP KNIFE WILL TAKE OUT THE BURS THOUGH. OUT OF EIGHT ONE CRACKED AFTER I TIGHTENED THE BULKHEAD SEAL DOWN TO TIGHT. I ALSO MANAGED TO CUT IT WITH A ROTOZIP JUST HEATS UP ENUOGH TO MELT THROUGH IT.

 

[broncofish]

I have drilled acrylic as recently as tonight Use a bi-metal holes saw designed for plastic, and go slow. If you are really worried about heat drip a little water acrros the surface while running it. I have never had a melting problem though.