Drilling a rimless cube tank

[YoungREEFA]

Im about to drill a 45 rimless cube, is it best to drill the tank in its standard position ( drilling from the side) or lay it on one of its sides and drill from the top down. Since it doesnt have a center brace im not sure i should let it lay on its side for too long.

 

[rwb500]

laying on the side is fine. just be sure to rest the face of the tank on a soft surface with nothing to scratch it (maybe a couple layers of clean bath towels). you dont apply much pressure when drilling so there isnt much stress on the tank. and be sure to place something so that when the circles of glass fall out, they dont fall into the pane thats against the floor.

 

[Saltydrip]

It's pretty funny... I cut holes in carbon fiber and crazy ceramics at work all the time.. I'm going to be drilling my tank soon and I'm so nervouse. I feel like a total nube!!

 

[YoungREEFA]

Im thinking about 15 minutes per hole on the drilling, sound adequate? Well i guess it will depend on how well the whole procedure goes. Drilling will begin tomorrow!

 

[lobstergrabber]

I drilled my 45 cube. On its side as mentioned by others. The first hole took me about 15 minutes. The second and third between five and ten. Just keep that water on there and let the bit do the work.

 

[YoungREEFA]

I drilled my 45 cube. On its side as mentioned by others. The first hole took me about 15 minutes. The second and third between five and ten. Just keep that water on there and let the bit do the work.

What method did you use to keep it cool? im thinking a pool of plumbers putty so I can drill in my laundry room rather than hauling the tank up a flight of stairs.

 

[lobstergrabber]

I had a small piece of wood that had the same sized hole drilled in it. I clamped it down filled it with water and started drilling. I actually just kept a glass of water and added a little every time it would get a little low. Was very easy to drill.

 

[YoungREEFA]

Did you use the same drill bit you used for the glass to cut the whole in the wood? I can do that but i wonder if the bit would dull at all with the wood.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

Did you use the same drill bit you used for the glass to cut the whole in the wood? I can do that but i wonder if the bit would dull at all with the wood.

no, do not use your glass cutting bit to drill wood"¦

preferably the hole in the wood should be square too"¦it allows more cooling room, more water and less bit to wood contact"¦

i always clamp my template wood to the outside with a equal thickness piece of wood clamped to the inside of the tank"¦that way the plug can't fall out, the water runs out considerably slower once you start breaking through the back side which means way less heat and far less chance of chip out"¦.i find the it is the vibrations created right at the very end by the unsupported glass that creates the chip out. clamping wood to the back side means the glass won't vibrate"¦

cut the square hole to the same size as the glass bit"¦if you are drilling 2.25" holes in the glass cut a 2.25" square hole

 

[Saltydrip]

Hmmm.. That's a good bit of info nano!

 

[lobstergrabber]

I made my template with a wood hole saw I already had. I did not clamp wood underneath but that is a great idea though. I just laid an old towel to cover the inside of tank and pad the landing of the disk.

 

[YoungREEFA]

Looks like ive got to wait untill tomorrow to drill, going to try and make a template and grab some clamps.

 

[beertech]

I usually just apply tape to the underside to help reduce chipping.