Drilling Fiberglass

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
F

FLESHY

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 7, 2006
5,542
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92
Central Wisconsin
Is it possible to drill a fiberglass aquaculture tank?

Id like to run a closed loop and an overflow on one.

These are the large (usually blue) tanks with a glass window

Thanks

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Absolutely. To do it cleanly, you need a high speed cutter. We use 10000 rpm pneumatic grinders. A regular router will work if rpms are high enough. As fro the cutter, carbide is the best to use. Should be able to find one online I'll look and try to find a link.

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http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/Amana-Tool-46110-2-x-1-4-Abrasive-Type-Plunge-Diamond-Pattern-Fiberglass-Bit/221129/Cat/621?gclid=CMKc0vbshr4CFY0-Mgodg0YAJw

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How big of a hole are we talking. You want to put bulkheads in so like inch or so? You can try a hole saw but the edges are going to be very frayed.

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Drill a little from the outside to score the fiberglass then finish drilling from the inside out. Don't push to hard and let the bit do the cutting and you will be fine.
 
The hole saw you are looking for is a diamond hole saw. They will give a nice clean hole without delaminating or cracking your lamina. Regular twist bits will put a hole in the side but it is not going to be nice looking no matter how you back the hole up before drilling. It will also basicly ruin your bit after a hole or two even if it is a carbide. I can better give you guidance when I know how big your hole is.

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you can deffinately put an overflow in there. as to what size and configuration, i really couldnt say. ive never ran overflows. i know how to cut the holes lol. uncle sam spend a ton of money sending me to school to repair composites lol.
 
A normal hole-saw will work fine - I have cut dozens of bulkhead holes through fiberglass tanks using Lenox/Milwaukee hole-saw bits. I have also cut hundreds (if not thousands) of holes in fiberglass tub/showers using hole-saws (I used to be a plumber). You need to use care and not push too hard, but it is definitely possible.
 
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