Drilling Glass 101

[Rob Top]

There seems to be a lot of people looking at poping holes in a tank from time to time. I must say it is the easiest thing to do. Here's a few pics and tips

Tools needed, hole saw, drill, water bottle, and clay to build a dam, and a scrap pcs of glass for a templet.

Make a templete following directions below.

Put templete into place. The trim on your tank will help to hold it in the correct spot.

With the templete score the tank and remove the templete. Put the clay down to make a dam.

Start drilling, use LOTS of water

one hole quickly turns to

This post took as long to write, cut and paste the pic urls as the holes took to cut.

 

[LA-Lawman]

what are you using as a lubricant... the white stuff isn't water, Is it?

where did you get your cutting bit?

 

[Anonymous]

When I got my tank drilled at a LFS, it took about 30 minutes a hole, just for the drilling part.

Its only 3/8" thick, I think they had an extremely dull blade....

 

[jandree22]

Maybe this is obvious, but just to remind all n00b's out there... NEVER DRILL TEMPERED GLASS 8O

I understand it's technically possible, but takes intense skill not to shatter the pane

 

[Rob Top]

The white stuff is water. Once you start cutting the glass the saw dust is white, thus making the milky stuff. I got my bits f rom e-bay. There is a guy out of Hong Kong that sells them cheap/ lau**. Cheap as in $10-13 shipped to your door.

it took about 30 minutes a hole, just for the drilling part.

What was he using? A diamond tip butter knife?

NEVER DRILL TEMPERED GLASS

very important point

 

[minibowmatt]

The white stuff is water. Once you start cutting the glass the saw dust is white, thus making the milky stuff. I got my bits f rom e-bay. There is a guy out of Hong Kong that sells them cheap/ lau**. Cheap as in $10-13 shipped to your door.

Can you PM me a link to this guy? I have been looking for a cheap drill bit...

 

[Rob Top]

sent ya his info

 

[ChrisRD]

NEVER DRILL TEMPERED GLASS 8O

I understand it's technically possible, but takes intense skill not to shatter the pane

Actually, it's not possible, no matter how skilled you are. :wink:

 

[jandree22]

NEVER DRILL TEMPERED GLASS 8O

I understand it's technically possible, but takes intense skill not to shatter the pane

Actually, it's not possible, no matter how skilled you are. :wink:

Well, there you go... just another reason not to try it :lol:

 

[Andrew Pastore]

If you cannot drill tempered glass, then how does aquarium manufacturers sell drilled tempered glass tanks?

 

[Anonymous]

If you cannot drill tempered glass, then how does aquarium manufacturers sell drilled tempered glass tanks?

I believe they have the glass drilled before they temper it.

At least that's the norm in glass work...

 

[ChrisRD]

I believe they have the glass drilled before they temper it.

Yep.

 

[Andrew Pastore]

Yeah, I guess I should have figured that. My delimma is that I may be given a 125 and stand free, and I have read of how people hate the hang on overflows, and how much noise thay make. Is there any way to make a tampered tank not need a overflow?

 

[ChrisRD]

Many tanks are not tempered on the sides/back - just the bottom. In that case, you can just drill the back. Do you know what brand the tank is?

 

[Andrew Pastore]

No, I have to go to Florida to see it.

 

[Rob Top]

Think most are safe to drill on the side and back. I have drilled on perfecto, all glass and Glass cage tanks.

 

[Anonymous]

I tried to drill an All Glass Aquarium 55g though the back. It was most definitely, I shall say, *explosively*, tempered on the side. Quite exciting, but a waste of tank, and a big mess too!

It was rather old though, ten years at least, maybe they have changed that.

 

[Anonymous]

Some manufacturers (sp?) post data sheets on their tanks that give you the information that you need on whether or not your tank has tempered glass on what panel. You just have to search for it or call them.

 

[ChrisRD]

I agree - that's your best bet. For example, here's a tech sheet for AGA:
http://www.all-glass.com/services/techinfo.shtml