Enlarging the bulkhead hole

[marlinmero]

I bought a 210 last year and it is drilled for standard schedule 40 bulkheads. I would like to use schedule 80 but i'll need to enlarge the holes. should i just take a dremel with some sandpaper?

 

[albano]

What's wrong with the 40s?

 

[marlinmero]

They are a lot more brittle i've been told. more likely to fail

 

[albano]

Not that I've done any research, but I don't know anyone that has changed from 40s...I have some bulkheads that are over 10 yrs old, been used on multiple tanks, and the most I did was replace the gasket (Maybe once!)

 

[uncleof6]

For our purposes the black ABS bulkheads are more than adequate. Sch 80 will break as well, if your plumbing is not supported. Save the money, and possibly the tank (breaking due to redrilling) and support your plumbing.

 

[shifty51008]

I would also be willing to bet that 210 has a tempered bottom, I wouldn't even wanna try it.

 

[HECS]

If these holes are in the bottom I would call the manufacture first, it's likely tempered. However, if it's not tempered, I successfully cut several holes larger with a glass hole saw. I held a wood block behind as a support and went slowly with a cordless drill and kept it wet. Don't push, be gental. I used the edge of the original hole as a guide for the bit,
In my experience it was easier than I thought it would be, I went 1/2" -1" and 1" -2" bulk heads.

 

[marlinmero]

Thank you guys. I think im going to stick with the 40's. im to chicken to risk a $1200 tank with live stock on stand by sitting in buckets.
I'm moving to a new place

 

[mighties_keeper]

Let me tell you about my experience enlarging a drilled hole in a tempered bottom tank. I had a hole for a 3/4" bulkhead but I wanted a 1" bulkhead. I spent about an hour drilling the hole larger. Slow and Steady, with lots of lube( water). Well it ended in a hugh failure shattering the bottom of my 90 gallon tank in to about two 5-gallon buckets of little glass pieces. My buddy watched my failure, He said the look on my face was like a child being robbed of their ice cream cone. I have the other four panes to remind me, that no matter how great I thought I was at drilling tanks I'm not good enough for tempered glass.

 

[uncleof6]

Don't feel too badly, other than for trying to drill it in the first place. The plain truth of it is tempered glass cannot be drilled, milled, cut, shaped. It generally shatters as soon as you start, unless the glass is poorly tempered...

 

[Phat1369]

If its not tempered and are willing to spend a lil $. They make hole saws for electricians that use 2 holes on one. the inner saw is the size of the existing hole-for support and keep things center. the outer saw is the size you want the hole to be. Local supply house might be easier then a big box tho.

 

[dante411x]

If its not tempered and are willing to spend a lil $. They make hole saws for electricians that use 2 holes on one. the inner saw is the size of the existing hole-for support and keep things center. the outer saw is the size you want the hole to be. Local supply house might be easier then a big box tho.

This is gonna be worth looking into! Thanks!
And yea.. What's the thickness of the glass on the 210? Because if it's 1/2" it's about 99.99% likely to be tempered.

 

[albano]

I've drilled 'larger' holes around smaller holes on my acrylic tanks, without problems... Simply take the larger bit and drill a hole in 1/4" plywood, secure the plywood 'template' over the other hole, and it will steady/guide the drill for the new larger hole.

 

[uncleof6]

I've drilled 'larger' holes around smaller holes on my acrylic tanks, without problems... Simply take the larger bit and drill a hole in 1/4" plywood, secure the plywood 'template' over the other hole, and it will steady/guide the drill for the new larger hole.

Certainly, but remember, acrylic is easier to drill/machine than glass...