Can someone give me information on drilling glass.

200gal · #1 12-04-2002, 08:09 PM

I am wanting to drill my tank near the top corner so to make an overflow without completely emptying out the tank. Can anyone give me information on tank drilling. No one near here will do it for me so is it possible to do it myself?

Delphinus · #2 12-04-2002, 08:18 PM

If you can get ahold of a diamond tipped hole saw you can drill glass pretty easily (as long as it's not tempered glass, which you can't drill).

It'd be much easier on yourself to empty the tank but I guess it's not a completely impossible task otherwise. Except that it will be a real pain! First of all if you're using a drill bit that requires a cutting oil (I have no idea if there are any that don't), to keep the drill bit wet you'll have to slowly pour oil over the drill bit as you drill. You'll probably end up getting some oil into the tank water as the drill comes through to the other side. I did this once and it didn't seem to harm anything in the tank but still I would have felt better if I could have avoided that.

If emptying the tank is not an option, then there are alternatives to drilling. If the idea is for an overflow you can go with an overflow box. If the idea is for a closed loop intake or output, I'd just have the pipe come up and over the aquarium wall.

reefburnaby · #3 12-05-2002, 02:43 AM

Hi,

The other way is by using a dremel.

- Victor.

zulu_principle · #4 12-05-2002, 04:44 AM

http://www.wetdryfilter.com/drilling_holes.htm

Drill bits are a little expensive....

Delphinus · #5 12-05-2002, 05:02 AM

Hey Victor, have you drilled out a hole using a dremel? How did it work for you? Looks like a keen idea, I'm not sure I have a steady enough hand to make a perfectly round hole but I won't knock the idea until I try it...

200gal · #6 12-05-2002, 09:07 PM

Thanks zulu for the website. Was always wondering what the diamond core drill looked like. And was always wondering how to hold the drill bit steady while drilling. I seen that they also sell the guides that clamp and seal agains the glass and to supply the coolant. I am thinking I can get the diamond drill locally and if need be I can machine the guide myself since I am a machinist. I am thinking to just run water through the guide to cool the drill, should be no reason to need oil. And also I will check into the dremel idea further, I will talk to the tool supplier and they should be able to give further comments.

canadawest · #7 12-05-2002, 09:19 PM

When I went to a glass shop to have my little 10gal refugium drilled they just used regular automotive antifreeze while drilling to cool the bit and provide lubrication. Seemed to work great as they never cracked my tank and like I mentioned it's a thin little 10gal.

On that note, is it possible to safely make an existing hole larger? I had a 3/4" hole drilled, not realizing that means I can only use 1/2" ID vinyl tubing to drain. I'd like to increase the hole to 1" to allow me to use 3/4" ID tubing. Anyone know a safe way to increase the hole size? :?:

StirCrazy · #8 12-05-2002, 11:55 PM

Andrew you could drill a biger hole with a diamond hole say to make it biger.. to do this I would use a drill press and go very slow though.

Steve

canadawest · #9 12-06-2002, 12:27 AM

I was hoping to discover a method that wouldn't involve me completely draining and emptying my already running refugium.

Oh well, at least on a future tank I'll know better to make bigger holes! :?

200gal · #10 12-06-2002, 01:52 AM

I have never drilled through glass yet, but using my machine shop experience I would say that most defenantly yes get the same shop to do it just make sure that they clamp a heavier glass support to the opposite side of the glass panel being drilled. Maybe 1/2 inch glass or thicker. You can drill into the glass support which should be able to find a scrap piece somewhere.
When the automotive shop used antifreeze coolant it was likely to prevent rust on the tools being used. I would not think that it is possible to drill without a drill guide. A properly built guide should stabilize the drilling operation.