about to drill my first tank. Any suggestions?

[Bluephish13]

got my brs diamond hole saw for 1 inch bulk head today. Drilling a 20 long for refugium.

My main question is what drill speed should i use fast or slow?

My first time drilling a tank. Throw in any helpful advice please?

 

[Flanders]

Slow but not the drill's slowest speed. Like 150 rotations per minute. Duct tape the other side of the hole, use plumber's putty around the hole filled with a pool of water, make a jig the size of the bit to keep you in the right spot, and let the weight of the drill be your only pressure. Take it extra slow toward the end of the hole, that is where chips happen.

Toss a towel in the bottom of the tank so your glass disc doesn't bang the other side of the tank.

It's your first so you'll do fine. After the fifth hole in a row you start getting stupid and impatient.

 

[briangsxr1000]

Set the clutch pretty light also....

 

[cardiffgiant]

I had luck using tape on the other side to prevent the hole from falling out to quickly and causing a chip. If you can, use a pre-cut guide to keep the drill from wandering while the bit sets. Itt's nerve racking, but it really isn't that bad.

 

[stephen77]

It's your first so you'll do fine. After the fifth hole in a row you start getting stupid and impatient.

This is so true !!!!!! SLOW down and take your time!

 

[Lorenz725]

Just go nice and slow. It does take some time but in the end you will be like "that is it?". A guy at our LFS that has been in the hobby for a long time (and the one that drills all the tanks that come in) said he used coolant instead of water. That is what I used and it did a really good job. Just have to make sure you wipe it and clean it all up. Good luck

 

[Dan49]

If you go to glass-holes web site you can watch a video on how to.... It helped me . let the weight of the drill do the work don't push down

Dan

 

[Capt_Cully]

Slow!!! Brace both sides of glass. Keep it wet. Pressure but not too much pressure!

 

[teamdulski]

Slow but not the drill's slowest speed. Like 150 rotations per minute. Duct tape the other side of the hole, use plumber's putty around the hole filled with a pool of water, make a jig the size of the bit to keep you in the right spot, and let the weight of the drill be your only pressure. Take it extra slow toward the end of the hole, that is where chips happen.

Toss a towel in the bottom of the tank so your glass disc doesn't bang the other side of the tank.

It's your first so you'll do fine. After the fifth hole in a row you start getting stupid and impatient.

All of this, it is so much easier than it is made out to be.

 

[Randrew215]

I just drilled my tank and I really recommend making some sort of guide to put over the glass to hold the bit in place. Until it sets in a groove, it will try to jump around on you.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I usually angle the bit so only a little portion of it is touching the glass. I brace my hands and start drilling. It starts to form a small groove. Then I slowly bring the bit up to perpendicular. This gradually makes a groove and avoids the jumping around and glass scratching before you get too deep.

 

[Randrew215]

I usually angle the bit so only a little portion of it is touching the glass. I brace my hands and start drilling. It starts to form a small groove. Then I slowly bring the bit up to perpendicular. This gradually makes a groove and avoids the jumping around and glass scratching before you get too deep.

I figured that out a couple holes in, but then on my fifth hole it jumped on me anyways. Maybe I should have had a beer to steady my shaky hands.

 

[Bluephish13]

success

success

thanks all

successfully drilled the 20 long top fin tank from petsmart if anyone is curious on drilling one. used all the tips except a guide. Taped the bottom, and used my 6yr old sons crayola clay lol to make a ring. I filled it with water and every 20 sec i sucked out the debris and refilled. I can see how using running water like a garden hose on it would make this much easier. Started on a angle until i got a groove, it did hop around on me at first. No chipping at all on the inside. Took me about 15-20 min lol, i can't imagine drilling large holes in thick glass.

also if you look at the side of the glass you can check your progress so you know when you are getting close to breaking through.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I figured that out a couple holes in, but then on my fifth hole it jumped on me anyways. Maybe I should have had a beer to steady my shaky hands.

Know I do before every surgery!

 

[Flanders]

Know I do before every surgery!

ahahaha, where do I sign up?

 

[NirvanaFan]

Took me about 15-20 min lol, i can't imagine drilling large holes in thick glass.

I'm glad it went well for you. Once you do it a few times, it gets easier. You'll get a feel for how far through the glass you are, how much pressure to use, etc. Thicker tanks are actually easier. They won't break as you put to much pressure on the drill. I've drilled a bunch of tanks (10-12). The only one I have ever broke was a really old (like 20 years) 10 gallon tank. You have to use a lot less force on the smaller tanks.

 

[GIT RITE]

And go slow and use lots of coolant ( water ).


Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk!!