drilling 3/4" glass...

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chiroken

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 3, 2012
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Vancouver Island, BC Canada
I'm thinking of removing 2 large top to bottom overflows in an 8' tank and going to a much sleeker rear wall mounted internal box (glass holes). I'll need to drill 2 3" outflows and 2 return holes through 3/4" glass. I went to my local glass shop to inquire about them doing the holes at my house (it's a monster and takes 6+ guys to move) and they don't really want to do it and wouldn't guarantee against breakage. He said they use portable drill presses that cut from both sides so the drill bits meet in the middle versus cutting all the way through with a single drill bit. His biggest concern with drilling was "drift" where the bit will pull to one side creating a hole that isn't straight through. I had also planned on drilling while the tank was vertical (would have to build a tank to hold the tank while horizontal)

I was quite confident to do the holes myself (never before) going into the store but I left left confident after listening to him. I know tons of people drill their own glass tanks but anyone with experience drilling think glass using a hand drill?

Thanks
 
The thickest i've done is 3/8. I really wouldn't try it vertical though as you need the water to cool it. But yes I have used a hand drill to do mine. One thing to consider is getting a block of wood using a regular hole saw on it. Basically clamp the wooden block to the tank and use it as a guide for your glass hole saw. Don't forget lots of water and go slow.
 
Also as the glass shop mentioned it prob would be best to do halfway through one side, then go from the other since it is so thick
 
drillling glass is that easy even with a hand drill. go slow, lots of water, make or buy a guide. get a tank off craigs and do practice holes.
 
Wow, the famous Uaru Joey replying to my thread! lol

Watched your video (great videos by the way) twice as well as several others about drilling glass. A lot more freaky when it's an 96"x32" sheet of 3/4" glass. I think I have to take the plunge and give it a go. Will have to figure out some sort of temporary table/stand to be able to lay the tank on its side and then see if I can bribe 6 guys to come over to help me move it onto its side. I was thinking of building a 4 wheel furniture dolly to put it on, on its side. Then I can slightly raise each end up on blocks to stabilize the tank. When done drilling all the holes I can lower it back onto the dolly and move it against the wall in the garage out of the way.

I don't have an extra tank to practice drilling but I do have some standard window glass that I can do practice holes on. It's of course alot thinner. I have 2 overflow boxes in the tank that I plan on removing so I could probably do a hole or 2 in that glass as practice as well, it is 1/2" thick I believe. When I get the internal overflow box sent from that "glass" company maybe I should order 2 hole saw bits so I won't be using a worn out one. Only $8 I think.

My cordless power drills (have 2) both have clutches and are variable speed, also with high/low speed. How should the drill be set up?

joey02 said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZBm3iDWcZg

Regardless of the thickness, they are all drilled the same way.
Click to expand...
 
Drilling is very easy once you get over the fear. Thicker glass should be easier than thinner stuff.
 
Pharaoh said:
Drilling is very easy once you get over the fear. Thicker glass should be easier than thinner stuff.
Click to expand...

X2

I just did my first tank drill last weekend and was worried until the glass circle fell out of its hole, the glass was not as big or as thick but drilling it was way easier than I thought it'd be.

As far as drilling/tool setup I ran the cordless on its lowest clutch setting and made sure to keep the area soaked (used silly putty to build a dam around the hole).
 
On most tanks, I think the bottom is tempered, and shouldn't be drilled. Try the side. Imo
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