Drilling holes in glass

[mr.ocean]

I want to drill a hole in a glass tank for a 1" bulkhead. What size drill bit do I need in mm?

Is it possible to drill a sump while still in use? I am drilling a hole above the water level for a seperate refugium drain return.

Thanks,

 

[lusenut2]

I wouldnt, It will be much easier to drain the sump and put it up on a table that is easy to work on. Plus you have to get a diamond cut bit 1". If you havent priced them lately it will be a lot cheaper to just go to Sea in the City and have them drill it for you. They do a great job and its way cheaper then buying a drill bit and hope you dont break the glass. If they do it and it breaks the glass at least your not out the 60 bucks or so for the bit.

 

[flfirefighter13]

Probally a bad idea while full, bits can be found on ebay for WAY under 60 dollars. Size needed depends on where you get the bulkhead, there are some heavy duty bulkheads out there that are weird sizes. Aquatic ecosystems catalog has some goo listings with sizes needed. the Home page on RC has a conversion program on the left to get mm.

 

[mr.ocean]

I was looking at the internet prices. They look reasonable. I would go to SITC but that is about a hour and a half round trip. This is a sump in use and I want it to be down for as short a period as possible.

 

[mflamb]

Go on ebay and do a search. Buy the hole saw from a guy in Hong Kong named Lau. I have 3 of his hole saws. They're $10 each. Shipping for the 3 was $13. It's a very easy DIY job.

 

[dugg]

Unless you have a drill press, a dremel with a diamond bit is way better for drilling the holes. The barrel bits are more likely to break the glass without a press because it is almost impossible to hold them perfectly straight while you drill. With a dremel and 1 round tip diamond bit for the initial hole, and 1 straight diamond bit to cut the circle., you can safely drill holes in about 10 minutes per hole. The diamond bits should cost you about $10 at lowes

 

[mr.ocean]

Anyone else use the dremel? Do you run water over the area as you cut it?

 

[sytanek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9369313#post9369313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr.ocean
I was looking at the internet prices. They look reasonable. I would go to SITC but that is about a hour and a half round trip. This is a sump in use and I want it to be down for as short a period as possible.

Hour and a half? Jump on 417 to 408, you could make it there in a half hour

I live in Deltona, so I feel your pain, driving to SITC is a pain, but worth it for certain things

 

[waterfaller1]

You can not use a 1" drill bit for 1" bulkhead. It has to be 1 3/4".

 

[lusenut2]

I dont know what size it is. I went to Sea in City talked with Tom and showed him the bulk head I had and he drilled it for me. Took like 30 mins total time from when I got there and left there. It was easy in and out.

 

[mflamb]

It's great to have someone like that who will drill tanks. It gets tough when you have to drill a 390 and a 125!!!

 

[Me No Nemo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9377094#post9377094 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
It's great to have someone like that who will drill tanks. It gets tough when you have to drill a 390 and a 125!!!

*Sigh* if I only had that problem Hope all is well with you! Marcye