I would like someone suggested get some tanks off craigslist and start to practice. Every week 1-2 tanks from 10-100 gallons come up for free. This week 5 came up a lot of corner tanks lol. I am a hoarder but with fish...lol
Drilling holes in glass
- Thread starter jim barry
- Start date
I find thin glass tanks are harder to drill than those with thick glass. The only tanks I have cracked during drilling have been the small ones like 20 gals, tanks of 75 gal and over with thick glass are much easier. I have drilled at least 10 tanks, some of them standing, and half full.
I like to drill my wood template with a hole saw for wood, put a small hole above where the glass will be so water can flow onto the drill bit and glass, and then use a diamond coated hole bit for the glass.
I like to drill my wood template with a hole saw for wood, put a small hole above where the glass will be so water can flow onto the drill bit and glass, and then use a diamond coated hole bit for the glass.
I was hoping
duanes
would post that here, great example. I agree 100% thinner glass is more prone to crack. Also the water serves dual purpose, a) cools it down for a smoother drill and b) you don't have glass dust flying around everywhere. So Jim if you do the silicone or plumbers putty dam of water, I would periodically take a paper towel and soak it up (water will have glass particles in it) and throw it out and replace with new water. That way you don't risk those small glass particles getting anywhere important.
duanes
would post that here, great example. I agree 100% thinner glass is more prone to crack. Also the water serves dual purpose, a) cools it down for a smoother drill and b) you don't have glass dust flying around everywhere. So Jim if you do the silicone or plumbers putty dam of water, I would periodically take a paper towel and soak it up (water will have glass particles in it) and throw it out and replace with new water. That way you don't risk those small glass particles getting anywhere important.
Jim,
I just drilled my first glass tank the other day, i was nervous but it was quiet easy. just dont push let the bit do the work.
I just drilled my first glass tank the other day, i was nervous but it was quiet easy. just dont push let the bit do the work.
As above your grinding the glass not cutting so no pressure and lots of water. I always start the cutter on a angle then square up to create a groove.
Thanks for the reply guys, appreciated.
I have struggled getting a suitable sized container/sump that will fit in the cupboard under the tank and I can't wait around for a suitable sized glass tank to show up for sale. So for now I am going to fill the tank and use my fx6 on it as I have fish waiting to go in it. I lost a lovely size geo yesterday as they are cramped in my sump so my hand is forced and the tank needs to be set up ASAP.
I have struggled getting a suitable sized container/sump that will fit in the cupboard under the tank and I can't wait around for a suitable sized glass tank to show up for sale. So for now I am going to fill the tank and use my fx6 on it as I have fish waiting to go in it. I lost a lovely size geo yesterday as they are cramped in my sump so my hand is forced and the tank needs to be set up ASAP.
