Making Jig for Drilling Tank

[Ereefic]

I need to make a jig because i'll be drilling 3 holes for 1" bulkheads for an horizontal overflow. I will take a piece of wood and lay out the holes, but what should I drill the holes with to keep them the same size as the hole saw? Will a regular hole saw give me the right size? Would drilling the wood with the diamond hole saw be a bad idea?

 

[soundgeek]

I just drilled two 1" holes in my tank. I drilled holes in the wood first with a hole saw. I bought one of those kits that have the different size holes. It worked out perfect. I used it just to get the holes started in the glass. Drilled the 2 in a couple of minutes. It was super easy and I worred for nothing about doing it.

 

[DHyslop]

I bought one of these to assist in my drilling ambitions:

Craftsman Drill Guide

It solved the problems I was having early on keeping the hole square (well, round, but you know what I mean!)

Dan

 

[Dennis7]

I agree with Dan. That jig makes your portable drill a drill press. Also a good idea is to get some plumbers putty and make a dam around the bit to hold water to keep the bit cool while drilling.

 

[frank10]

I did the dam and had someone hold a hose on it. it went very fast and I didn't use a jig. but, i will next time.

 

[8BALL_99]

Using the Glass bit on wood would not be good... You dont really need a jig.. Just mark a straight line across the back wall and start drilling.. I just do mine by hand its not hard..HTH
Here are some shots of my 60 Gallon and my 35 Hex. I drilled both for a external overflow.. I also did my 29gallon

 

[dwdenny]

is it just me as I cannot see the pics there8BALL_99 posted
I am getting ready to drill my tanka s well for overflow and CL. I never even thought about using a jig but I have drilled a lot of holes in sinks and other stuff should not be that hard?
Doug

 

[gmatt]

I am going to use a drill press I bought at Lowes:

SkilÃ"šÃ‚®
XShop Drill Press Attachment

it takes a regular hand held drill

 

[boofer]

I went to home depot and bought a 45mm (1" BH) and 60mm (1.5" BH) bi-metal hole saw bits. Drilled a piece of scrap 3/4 and used that as my guide. I held it in place with clamps where I needed it.
Leaning the bit when you begin works also (w/o the jig), but it will try to "walk" on you if your not careful.

 

[Glopez1]

i bought the 1 3/4" glass hole saw bits and the dam ring together. i had an extra piece of acrylic so i use a regular 1 3/4 hole saw bit to cut that hole. then clamped the acrylic to the dam ring and use it as a guide. i have a 72" tank to if you divided it in half i also drilled for a closed loop. if i had to do it again i would went with the 1 1/2" bulk heads rather than the 1".

 

[DHyslop]

gmatt--

I tried one of those and ran into some trouble. 1) it didn't fit my 1/2" drill (which was also made by Skil by the way!) and 2) it requires their workbench to bolt to.

Dan

 

[8BALL_99]

I think you guys might run into problems using drill presses and Drill Guides.. I've drilled I know about 150 of different sizes in glass.. I just drilled about 80 1 3/4 holes for a LFS.. Drilling glass is done ALOT on feel. With a press or that guide I think it would be very easy to crack the glass.. JMO though. To start the hole .. If your right handed then place your left on the tank thats your guide.. Use that hand to stedy the drill.. Hold the drill so just small part of the bit hits the glass.. Spin the drill up then touch the glass on your mark you made.. Once the bit cuts a groove in the glass Start straighting up the drill slowly. Go slow.. The bits last alot longer if you drill a low RPMs.. Always use a hose pipe with the water set to a decent trickle.. Be very carefull right as the bit breaks through the glass.. Thats the part you really have to do by feel.. I've showed several local reef club members how to do this.. Its very easy to do just take your time and pay attetion to how the drill feels as its cutting.HTH

 

[blfuller123]

I have drilled glass by hand and by a press and I prefer to do it by hand. Like 8ball_99 said, it is done more by feel IMO.

 

[DHyslop]

I use the guide because I have an awful time keeping the drill straight (and there's little worse than having the bit come through one side first!). I do take the springs out so that I still have a lot of feedback through the drill.

Dan

 

[frank10]

I followed your advice and it worked great. No jig and it turned out great.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6656712#post6656712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 8BALL_99
I think you guys might run into problems using drill presses and Drill Guides.. I've drilled I know about 150 of different sizes in glass.. I just drilled about 80 1 3/4 holes for a LFS.. Drilling glass is done ALOT on feel. With a press or that guide I think it would be very easy to crack the glass.. JMO though. To start the hole .. If your right handed then place your left on the tank thats your guide.. Use that hand to stedy the drill.. Hold the drill so just small part of the bit hits the glass.. Spin the drill up then touch the glass on your mark you made.. Once the bit cuts a groove in the glass Start straighting up the drill slowly. Go slow.. The bits last alot longer if you drill a low RPMs.. Always use a hose pipe with the water set to a decent trickle.. Be very carefull right as the bit breaks through the glass.. Thats the part you really have to do by feel.. I've showed several local reef club members how to do this.. Its very easy to do just take your time and pay attetion to how the drill feels as its cutting.HTH

 

[8BALL_99]

Glad I could help :thumbsup: