Anyone know if there is a way to tell if glass is tempered before I start drilling and crack a tank?I have a few old 20 gal tanks Id like to plumb to a common sump.Putting a bunch of hob overflows seems kindof expensive.
Drilling glass
- Thread starter gomezladdams
- Start date
I have never seen a tempered 20 long or 20 high. I don't think I can acuratly discribe how to tell the differance, plate vrs temp have a different ring (sound) to them when to tap them. The edges are often a sign, tempered often looks cleaned or finished better than plate. I really doubt they are tempered. If they are all glass or perfecto thet are not.
THey wont "crack" if your drill tempered glass, they litterally shatter into thousands of tiny pieces. They almost explode, makes a real loud bang!!!!!!
Scared the hell out of me the few time it has happened.
Joel
THey wont "crack" if your drill tempered glass, they litterally shatter into thousands of tiny pieces. They almost explode, makes a real loud bang!!!!!!
Scared the hell out of me the few time it has happened.
Joel
I highly doubt the glass is tempered on such a small tank. If it was an you tried to drill or cut it youd know really quick as is shatters into many lil pieces.
Maybe i will just try it,with eye protection!These tanks are really old some are metaframe and some are ambassador.
Drilling can be done as long as u have some sort of stencil to outline the hole so that your drill bit doesnt slip and you cool the glass and drill bit with constant drips of water, cheaper than a glass cutter that way.
THe way I drill tanks for bulk heads is simple & safe. You must use a drill press, you can not use a hand drill. I am assuming that you will use tha standart 1" bulk head, you will need to drill a 1 3/4" hole. There are two common type of glass bits for drilling holes, both look like a tube, one is metal and the other is a diamond tip (edge). I use the metal tube type. With the metal tube, you will use a slury (mixture) of water and carbide dust, this slurry is what actually does the cutting (drilling). I use Play-do clay, roll it out (like your making a snake) and then make a circle around the area where I want the hole. THis is to make a "DAM" to hold in the slury - keeps it where keeps it where you want it. THen I position the drill bit and start drilling. Every so often I'll stop and use my fingers (with the drill off) to push the slury into the groove where the glass has been cut so far.. Put a piece of duct tape on the other side of the glass, this will pervent the slurry from running thru if you get thru the glass a little un even. Try to have the tank as level as possible and make sure the pres and tank are stable (can't wiggle around) .YOu may be able to find a glass brill bit at a glass shop. I buy mine from Aquatic Eco Systems down in Florida. YOu can also buy the slurry from them too but if you go to a local hobby shop, the abrasive sold to put in rock tumblers is the same stuff for prett cheap. Buy the "fine" grade of abrasive if you do that. Hope this makes sence, if not ask away, I've litteraly drilled hundreds of holes...
Joel
Joel