Drilling Glass
- Thread starter robertifly
- Start date
bishop82476
New member
wheres the best place to get glass bits
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
The cheap Ebay ones work just fine.
Last time I bought them I got a 3 pack set. Bits for 3/4, 1" and 1.5". It was like $25 WITH shipping.
Last time I bought them I got a 3 pack set. Bits for 3/4, 1" and 1.5". It was like $25 WITH shipping.
ThaNgBOm321
Member
not 100% sure but i think all standard 55 gallon tanks are tempered on all sides...
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12845728#post12845728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LJA
If the edges are rough after you drill, what is the best way to smooth them out? I'm planning on drilling my new 55gallon in about a week!
robertifly
Premium Member
OK I did it, the last hole came out pretty good with only very small chip if any really. I think the best advice is when it is about to break out take all the pressure off and let just the weight of the drill take it through. Some support underneath can't hurt either but I think "not pushing" did the trick.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12849119#post12849119 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LJA
My 55 Gallon has a sticker on the bottom that says that the BOTTOM is tempered. I've been told that this means just the bottom.
Is this correct? Can someone please verify?
Also, my other question still stands
Well mine had the same sticker (orange in color) and I was told the same it is only the bottom but it was not true I started to drill my tank and with in a few seconds the whole back shattered into several small pieces. So my rec is call glass shops in your area and see if they have a way to test to see if glass is tempered or not before you start drilling
Pescado Amigo
New member
I found that if you let the weight of the drill do the work, and not put any extra preassure that the holes come out great. I to have used the plumbers putty donut dam and mixed a little dawn dish soap for a lube. I have always had great success. i do like the acrylic guide though.
Ditto on the pressure. Just let the weight of the drill do the work. Very gentle when you break through. I put a some duct tape on the inside to keep the piece from falling out.
I never used the putty dam. I drill the tank outside and just tape a garden hose to the tank and let a stream of water flow over the drilling area.
I never used the putty dam. I drill the tank outside and just tape a garden hose to the tank and let a stream of water flow over the drilling area.
robertifly
Premium Member
Right on Pescado Amigo! When ready to break through - weight of the drill only!. I used a acrylic guide also which works very good as well, just didn't like the idea of holding the drill at an angle and free handing it, I could just see the hole saw skating across the glass and scaring it. The guide also allows you to position the hole accurately. Oh yeah, I always drill from the inside so any breakout will not affect the seal and I used the water hose running on the saw full time.
randomworker
New member
That is an excellent tip.
Not always true I know on auto glass that is tempered it does look different kind of spotty but on an aquarium it does not always look that way I shattered my aquarium by going by this theory. I looked at it and it did not look spotty so i figured it was not tempered but it was shattered into a hundred little piece when i started to drill it. I was told by someone after that to call my local glass repair shop and the may be able to tell. Some places have some kind of machine to tell whether or not glass is tempered
1fishkeeper
Premium Member
Well that was nice of them. Now Im starting to wonder if my tank that Im getting ready to drill is.
