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

[hllywd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10511260#post10511260 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hamdogg08
Not to jack your thread, but would 3 1" holes be too much for a ten gallon tank? You seem to be the hole drilling expert on here!

I think you'd need to space them as far apart and from the edges as you can, then when the bulkheads are installed it should help some with strength... Thin glass is more difficult not to chip but certainly not impossible. I had an old 10 gallon I practiced on first and never broke or cracked it. Practiced both with a rotary tool and the hole saws I use now with few problems.

BTW - 1" bulkheads take a 1 3/4" or 45mm hole.


Tim

 

[Little Bitty]

bump

 

[BeginnerHELP]

Hey i would like to know which is the best filiter system? xD
and at the moment i have two tanks 110g and i need some tips on what parts i need along with step by step on making an water system,

 

[fillibar]

Started drilling today. I handled the drill, my wife was nice enough to handle the water flow. 2 - 1" holes drilled, 5 total holes to go. Man was that nerve-wracking though. You read and read, but actually doing it was a stress. Am I keeping it straight enough, is my drill's wobble too much, etc... Plus I am drilling horizontally (we cannot tip the tank over)... In any case both holes went OK, although there is a little chipping on the edge of the hole (just before the piece fell out, inside the tank). Nothing the bulkhead shouldn't be able to cover over. Anyone have any recommendations for that?

 

[hllywd]

Should work fine as long as the gasket is on the flange side of the bulkhead. It's difficult to drill glass without minor chipping.

Tim

 

[fillibar]

It's minor and nothing I was too worried about. When drilling that thick of glass I do not really see how it would be possible not to chip, but I figured I would mention it in case someone had "the" answer. Next couple holes will probably be drilled tomorrow. If I remember to get a picture when I am done I will try to post it.

 

[runningnreefing]

How do I buy directly for Lau? What is his email address?

Thanks.

 

[runningnreefing]

How do I buy directly for Lau? What is his email address?

Thanks.

 

[hllywd]

http://richontools.com/catalog/i174.html

Those are the ones I use. Don't know how to beat the price. I've drilled quite a few holes with the 45mm one and it's still going strong.

Tim

 

[hllywd]

http://richontools.com/catalog/i174.html

Those are the ones I use. Don't know how to beat the price. I've drilled quite a few holes with the 45mm one and it's still going strong.

Tim

 

[fillibar]

How much glass will the Richon drill? I am now estimating the lau bit I had to be ~1 inch of glass (it drilled 2 holes through 1/2") but could not complete a 3rd.

 

[argetni44]

if only more people consulted this amazing methodology... awesome application...

 

[swedish steel]

I got 4 holes on 1/2 inch glass with my bits from lau and changed for the next ones to be sure of good quality holes. These bits work great and are cheap enough that the number of holes capable of being drilled - to me- is not a great concern.

 

[hllywd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10611971#post10611971 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fillibar
How much glass will the Richon drill? I am now estimating the lau bit I had to be ~1 inch of glass (it drilled 2 holes through 1/2") but could not complete a 3rd.

I've drilled close to 20 holes with the Richon Tools saw and still going strong... Can't imagine how you'd use one up with three holes.

Tim

 

[hamdogg08]

Has anyone used antifreeze as a lubricant/heat sink?

 

[bleedingthought]

No need to. Water is a better coolant for this application.

 

[fillibar]

I considered it used when the front surface was now smooth to the touch and seemed to no longer be drilling (15 min without the hole getting deeper). I'm not bothered. The cheap ones are still FAR cheaper than the high-quality hole-saws, and once I am done I have no specific need for them in the future.

 

[polysacman]

Has anyone had success using the diamond coated hole saws in cutting through acrylic tanks? At the least could somone point me in the direction of a thread about cutting holes in acrylic.

 

[duhfactor]

I've actually done it the same way as glass, with the same hole saws. It just goes quicker. I've even used regular carbide drill bits in acrylic with no problems (for smaller holes). Just go slow, and take your time.

 

[hllywd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10668107#post10668107 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by polysacman
Has anyone had success using the diamond coated hole saws in cutting through acrylic tanks? At the least could somone point me in the direction of a thread about cutting holes in acrylic.

Regular hole saw for acrylic, not diamond.

Tim