Drilling glass question

[Pbrown3701]

i've drilled a bunch of tanks, and never used a guide. I just use very light pressure and a steady hand to begin the groove that the saw rides in. A guide is probablly a good idea though for an expensive tank. I'm usually drilling a 10gal for a sump or refugium or such - no big risk

 

[Kaos]

Wow, this thread has really taken off. Thanks for all the great info. And if anyone else has something to add or has a question please don't hesitate.

 

[superedge88]

What times are you guys getting? I know that we aren't in it try and go fast, but I thought that it might be insteresting. It usually takes me about 7 minutes to drill 1/4" glass with the fastest I've every drilled it being about 5 minutes. The 3/8" glass I usually get done drilling well within 10 minutes with the fastest drill time being a whopping 4 minutes.

 

[schlegelli]

I drilled 5/8" glass...the 2 5/8" holes took me about 6 mins. actual drilling time each and the 1 3/4 holes MIGHT have taken 3 !!! I know that EVERYONE said to let the drill do all the work, but after the first two holes I went ahead and used some( notice SOME) pressure until the bottom of the hole, then I let the drill take over. To all doing this for the first time, follow all the good advice until you get a feel for the process, dont be intimidated....its not as difficult as it sounds.

 

[Giovanni]

I used a diamond bit in a dremel with runnig water. Woked like a charm on two 25g tanks.

 

[marduc]

I drilled 2 holes in a new 55 gallon earlier tonite. Was wondering the same thing about using a guide, so I scoured around my place, diamond bit in hand, trying to find something of similar diameter. I ended up using a small plastic container that hair "product" comes in, it was the perfect size. I drilled out the bottom using my diamond bit, and had my guide. Then I just superglued it where I wanted the hole, dammed it up with plumbers putty.. masked the backside with putty (to catch the glass and seal the water), and started drilling.

The super glue lost its bond part way through the drilling on its own (otherwise a razor blade would remove it just fine), but not before there was a very nice groove for the drill to rest in, then I just removed it and reputtied up my dam and completed the hole.

 

[hllywd]

I was a Dremel believer until I found out hole saws are nearly as inexpensive as the bits I was using and they make a much faster, and cleaner hole for the finished project. Dremels are great for thin glass but as the glass gets thicker bits start breaking and they are less effective.

Try this for hole saws: http://www.richontools.com/catalog/c20_p1.html

Tim

 

[schlegelli]

thats where i bought my hole saws from and although they may not be the highest quality, you will certainly get your money's worth. i still have plenty of bit left after drilling!

 

[Catharsis70]

what brand 55? I was under the impression that perfecto and all glass 55's have been all tempered for a couple years.

 

[marduc]

It was a new All-Glass 55. The bottom panel is tempered, not the sides.