Drill Glass Tank

[ZenMan]

I have to drill my glass tank to add inlets for my closed loop. I want to drill in place. Anyone done this before? I want to drill two 2 3/8" holes to add two 1.5" bulkheads as inlets for my Dart Closed Loop.

My questions:

1). How can I hold the bit into place (since diamond hole saws don't have the center pilot bit that other hole saws have).

2). Anyone done this size hole using a standard hand drill?

Any advice or pointers?

Thanks.

Jeff

 

[calvin415]

Jeff, I've drill many many holes and it's quite easy to do. Even without the pilot hole it's a snap with a hand drill. My technique is have a hose running over the glass you want to drill and then starting at an angle begin drilling. The bit will create a crest shaped mark first and this will act as your method of holding the bit in place. Once the crest is created just angle the drill back to 90* and drill the rest of the way through. Just don't try to push the bit through let it eat it's way through. You may even want to lift the drill a tad as you break through the other side to keep the weight of the drill from breaking the glass.

HTH,
Eric

 

[Crit21]

By "in place", do you mean normal tank orientation, with vertical surfaces to be drilled?

 

[jzdad]

Drilling glass holes

Drilling glass holes

Here is a nice thread on drilling glass ,hope it helps

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=603816&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

 

[ZenMan]

Thanks for the info.

Yes, I want to drill vertical surfaces. Since my tank is set up I don't want to break it down just to drill two holes, so I'm going to try to drill two vertical 2 3/8" holes. I will drain off half the water volume into some rubbermaids and then try to drill in place. Let's hope I don't have a catastrophe!

I ordered the hole saws and bulkheads, the hole saws are coming from Hong Kong so it may be two weeks before I post an update.

 

[Crit21]

The problem with drilling vertical surfaces is that you can't lubricate the drill bit with running water. I don't know if anyone in here has ever tried that.

 

[murfman]

Zen, I drilled mine just like you are describing. I followed Eric's method by holding it at an angle to make a smiley face. I did use a sharpie to mark where I wanted to drill because the bit likes to walk on you, until you have a nice little groove going.

I drilled 5 43mm holes in my 125 from my CLM using a Dart. I also drilled 1 43mm hole for my sump drain. The 43mm accomodates a 1" bulkhead. Drain and return is perfect with my return pump.

 

[racer69]

Paul, did you drill yours while it had water in it standing up, or empty laying down? If it has water in it and standing, you will have to drill from the inside to the outside. You will need to have a way to keep water on the bit while drilling and still not contaminate your tank.

If you have enough room behind the tank, maybe you can start on the outside and run water to the saw with a rubbermade tote below the tank. Man what a tough project.

 

[murfman]

I didn't have water in it but did drill it standing up. He can actually, if he has room, put a glass filled with water against the glass with the mouth against the glass slightly bigger than the size of the hole and drill into that. That is how I drilled my acrylic sumps with water in them.