Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads

101_0120.JPG
 
I got mine pretty quickly too. I think it took 9 days. They forgot to send one of my hole saws and I e-mailed them and Teddy e-mailed me back apologizing, asking for my address to send the last one again, and telling me to use this e-mail address instead when I need to contact them: lautszyan0@netvigator.com because it's used much more often. :D
 
OK, without digging through this entire thread...

Could anyone be nice enough to tell me about how many holes and be drilled with one of Lau's bits..

Mine just arrived and a few of us were looking to drill some 75 and 55 gallon tanks.

How can you tell when the bits are spent?? Thanks..
 
when they quit cutting...

I have about a dozen holes in 1/2 & 3/8 glass on one bit I used it this past weekend to drill 8 holes in tiles (tiled my bathroom)
still going strong
 
HaHaHa

Ok when it stops cutting I'll toss it. ;)

I just didn't want the last guy to bust his tank because I should have known I could only get 5 holes from these cheap bits.

Thanks for the info, BigSkyBart.
 
Thanks for this thread.. though I only read the first page. Buying a diamond drill bit made this job a breeze! This bit better last.. it costs more than my drill (mind you my drill was $20). :p
 
Ordered my bits last Wednesday. 5/2 Arrived today 5/8. Six days turnaround from Hong Kong is pretty good!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=5054143#post5054143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JustOneMoreTank
About $3.50 each is a great deal and only $20.00 for the set. Check out the prices for a similar sized set here:
http://www.diamond-drill-bit-and-tool.com/Diamond-Drill/MAIN.htm
Try $291.00 !!!! :eek2:
On the above posted link there is lots of useful information about using these diamond coated hole saws to cut glass aquariums as well as maintaining the bits and cutting other materials. This link should be a mandatory read for anyone cutting glass tanks. :)
Click to expand...


Thanks I just ordered me a set ;) .
 
I'm going to drill a tank shortly. This thread talks about using water. My local guy that has drilled my tank in the past has used vegetable oil. Is there a preference to one over the other?
 
Veggie oil would be messy and a pain in the #%@ to clean up after you were done. Also I would guess that the spinning drill bit would really sling it all over the place???
The water works really really well and I never had a problem using water. I would recommend using water first. Then feel the water for yourself and see how hot it gets. Not at all hot. Not even really warm I dont think.
Good luck and have fun. :)
 
Wow, a two year thread. Awesome!

So I don't have to read all thirty pages .... is a label saying the glass is tempered the only way to tell? If it is tempered, are you just out of luck?

Also, does anyone know of a good thread or article that helps in sizing and placing holes?
 
Best way about finding out tempered sides is calling manufacturer. Polarized sunglasses work sometimes too.

As far as sizing holes, consult the list/store you're getting the bulkheads from. I would personally stay 3" away from edges and about 5-7" between holes. :)
 
Great thread !!
30 pages and no cracked glass ..a definite confidence booster .....
i'm off to ebay to order some bits
 
Tell us what you find. I saw some good deals on there, but I am trying to figure out what size to buy for the over flows on a 55 and a 90.

I am also trying to figure out where to get the plastic (acrylic) overflow plates (grates) for inside the tank. Is it best just to make them, or do they sell them?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9997710#post9997710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtesdall
Tell us what you find. I saw some good deals on there, but I am trying to figure out what size to buy for the over flows on a 55 and a 90.

I am also trying to figure out where to get the plastic (acrylic) overflow plates (grates) for inside the tank. Is it best just to make them, or do they sell them?
Click to expand...


Look in the yellow pages under glass manufacturing. There's probably one in your area. They sell acrylic plates also.
 
Just my .02, for most production machining that requires cooling and/or lubrication (lathing/drilling) a mixture of 5% oil and 95% water is most common.
 
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