How many holes can a diamond bit drill before replacement?

[kawicivic]

Ultimately, my question is how many holes are holesaws good for?

I drilled 3 holes in a 75 gallon with a diamond hole saw from BRS and the 3rd hole had significantly more chipping than the first 2. The actual bit looks worn. I am not sure I am confident using it again, but these bits seem expensive to only last for 3 holes.

I used a water dam to hold the water and keep the blade cool in case that is a factor.

What are your thoughts?

Are there better bits that I can buy that will last longer?

 

[triggreef]

I got a 2 3/8 from glass-holes and just drilled my 4th hole. no issue and still looks/feels like it did new. Think it was $26 or so.

 

[YoungREEFA]

im so scared to drill a 75 gallon. is it scary the first time?

 

[kawicivic]

I don't think there is anything to be scared of. Everybody I know has dropped a glass jar or something like that. Its not like the tank is going to explode if you mess up. Messing up will break the pane of glass you are working on. With that being said, I do understand why you would be nervous. You are getting ready to drill a brittle material that will essentially ruin its value if you mess up. Take your time and do your research and there is nothing to worry about. The keys to success are letting the drill do the work and using a lubricant/coolant. There are videos online that can show you how to do it and tons of threads here that will give you ways to do it as well.

There is no reason why you can't be successful if you follow the suggestions of others and take your time. There is definitely not any reason to be scared! Go for it. O yeah - just make sure the tank you are drilling is not tempered as that will cause you to fail as well.

 

[mcgyvr]

A "cheap" diamond bit like the ones that most of these places sell should easily last 15+ holes or more.. I've done 9 holes so far on mine and its still drilling just fine.

I'd bet that as you started to get more "comfortable" you started speeding up and not being so cautious..thus exerting more force and chipping out.


drilling glass is easy (like old people doin' it...go slow and lubricate constantly )..The sound of the bit "crunching/grinding" away glass is "weird" at first but pretty neat.
Just take your time..

 

[jimmyj7090]

Not all diamond hole saws are created equal. Some are more expensive and probably last a lot longer than the more common cheapo ones.

I have a 1 3/4" that's done a good 30 or so holes, I think it's getting a bit worn now but it's worked this long. This was an expensive type. Much finer "diamond" finish on the cutting end.

I also have a couple of cheapo bits in other sizes that have done at least several holes each and are still good to go. Much more course on the cutting end.

 

[zakstrong]

the bits are bad when they wont cut anymore. they will just sit and spin and spin. i have the brs hole saw. ive drilled 10 holes and cuts like champ still.

youngreefa the thicker the glass the easier it is. thin glass is tougher you have to be so careful about pressure. with a 75 its like the perfect thickness. you wont crack it by putting a wee bit of pressure on it and it doesnt take you 3 and half hours...

 

[cmabrey75]

I drilled my 75 with no issues, watch the online videos and take your time. One thing to get is a pair of ear plugs, grinding holes in glass gets to you after a while.

 

[stacy_vennes]

we just bought 2 of the cheapo bits on ebay and drilled about 7 holes with each one and they still have lots of life anyways like everybody says take your time and have fun with it

 

[zakstrong]

i do have to agree that it is fun. paying somebody to drill it gets the job done.. normally successful. but when you drill the bare tank and glue in the overflow it is a bit more fulfilling. you know.. fruits of your labor and all.

 

[tidewater]

The bits I have have drilled many holes!! They are the cheap ones from brs. Like said before I think you where putting more pressure on that last hole. The hardest tank I've ever drilled was a 10g. Punched 4 holes in my 40b with ease, and an old school 125 that took forever to get the holes in! So just go slow and it will cut for a long time.

 

[bluewater921]

i drilled 42 1" holes in 40 gallon breeders for a LFS and 42 3/4" holes in the same tanks with no prob .. as long as you keep the bits super wet while you drill you should have no issues .. plus a template is the only way to stop the bits from walking , that will mess the bit up if it does walk a lil before you get into the cut ..

 

[kawicivic]

The bits I have have drilled many holes!! They are the cheap ones from brs. Like said before I think you where putting more pressure on that last hole. The hardest tank I've ever drilled was a 10g. Punched 4 holes in my 40b with ease, and an old school 125 that took forever to get the holes in! So just go slow and it will cut for a long time.

You may be right - I was drilling with the tank on end and my arm was tired from doing three holes back to back - lol

apparently I need to work on muscle stamina

Thanks for the input everyone - I completely forgot about this thread until this morning!

 

[biggles]

As others have stated, the cheap saws will work fine after many uses. I used this bit to drill 12 tap fixture holes in standard 1/4" thick enameled wall tiles (4 x shower cubicles) prior to drilling my 10mm thick tank base yesterday and as you can see it cut the base fine and is still good to use. If you haven't drilled glass and want an idea of what it will feel and sound like prior to 'taking the plunge' on your tank simply purchase a few cheap ceramic wall tiles and drill them. Drilling glass feels slightly coarser but the pressure used and overall 'feel' is close enough to let those of you nervous about drilling your own holes practice first.
I use a cordless drill and about 60-70 revolutions a minute cutting speed, 1/4" deep water dam and when about 1/16" from breaking through - you can easily see your cut depth by looking side on at the panel being drilled, i back off the pressure so i don't have any chipping when the saw breaks through. I always have a wooden backing against the glass panel being drilled and always use a guide to start the hole - you can see the 1/4" acrylic i hand drilled to use as a guide - those swirls will be on your glass if you try to drill a hole freehand..........

You can always practice on your shower walls, any understanding wife or partner of a reef keeper should be used to our strange DIY ways and just accept it.........

 

[zakstrong]

if you dont use a template you can angle the drill and balance it on your hand leaning on the tank. just a groove on the side going then slowly straighten the drill bit to vertical

 

[haynesw]

I've gotten 4 holes out of my diamond hole saw that I got from Lowes. Looks like it could cut a couple more.