Glass drilling thread

[Fishie Nut]

Is there a thread with instructions on drilling glass?

I've got the bits, now I need the know-how.

Thanks for the help.

 

[jiggly75]

It's alot easier than it sounds. I drilled two 1 inch holes for bulk heads in my sump for external pumps. I used a diamond embedded hole drill bit. I drilled slow with no preasure and used a squirt bottle to keep water on the bit at all times. Just remember take your time.

 

[Fishie Nut]

From my "signature" you can see that Murphy's law is in full force here, but I'm going to give it a try. I have to drain my sump to do this, so I'm kinda worried.

I read about clay or some kind of dam for the water. Is this necessary?

 

[JustOneMoreTank]

Did you try reading this thread?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...adid=603816&highlight=glass+drilling+bulkhead

Lots of information on drilling glass tanks. Have fun.

 

[jiggly75]

I really didn't have a clue when I did mine. I just bought a 40 gallon tank and gave it a try and it worked great! I didn't use anything but a drill and some water. It should take about 5 minutes per hole. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Deleted member 82742]

I just did my 20 gallon sump with the roto zip bit and a Dremel. it was very easy to do. Do you have a hole saw or are you going to use the Dremel method?

 

[Fishie Nut]

Thanks for the info.
That was a great thread. I printed it and had lots of potty reading.

 

[JustOneMoreTank]

No problem. Glad you found some good information.

 

[GROSSR]

I just did the deed. I drilled a 25 high and wanted the gasket for the bulkhead on the inside, when I got near the end of drilling, just before the circle of glass broke through, I some glass flake off. I can't install the bulkhead gasket on the inside as I want, I had to install it on the outside.

I suggest drill on the side of the tank where you want the gasket to be installed. This way you are gauranteed not to have chips on the side of the glass with the bulkhead.

I couldn't fit my drill with the diamond bit on the inside of a 12" tank.

Very easy to do. I used a cordless and it works fine.

rich

 

[Fishie Nut]

GROSSR, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the tip.

 

[suphew]

Trick I learnt from a tile cutter is cut a hole in a piece of wood the same size as the hole you want then either clamp this to the tank or put a 45 degree on it hold it in place, then use this as a guild to keep the drill in place, this stops the drill bit moving round as you start and helps keep water round the bit to cool it.