drilling my glass tank (with pictures)

csarkar001 · 09/10/2010, 09:03 PM

had to drill a hole in a 90 gal glass tank. i've drilled glass before but the whole process is always nerve wracking. i'm using this tank to hold freshly made salt water which i will then pump into my display tank upstairs. Here is the tank:

i bought these special drill bits to drill glass. i like this set because each drill bit comes equipped with a built in sponge which can be soaked in cold water prior to drilling. that way the drill head and tank stay cool during the drilling process. (you dont have to run water on the drill head).

here i have set up the template and am about half way done driling the hole. these are always tense moments; i like to go real slow.

and here is the hole after i was finished. it took me nearly 40 minutes to drill just this one hole.

after installing the bulkhead fitting and glueing a pvc pipe, i let the joint dry (24 hrs) and then put some water in the tank for an overnight test to see if the bulkhead is leaky. the adaptor and cap are not glued in because they are temporary. a pump will replace them once the bulkhead proves good.

jeff@zina.com · 09/11/2010, 07:29 AM

Any more info on the bit set, cost, supplier, etc.? Mostly I like the template device, that looks handy for drilling a number of tanks.

Jeff

mike_cmu04 · 09/11/2010, 09:19 AM

Nicely done i would also like to know where you got the bits.

csarkar001 · 09/11/2010, 12:23 PM

i got these bits from Contractors Direct in milford, CT which is only an hour from me. however, it looks like you can also get them from their web site mail order. Here is a link.

These drill bits are not cheap (i paid over $200!) because they have diamond dust on them.

using the template to drill is essential. especially if you have to stop part way and continue again.

if you have a multispeed drill, you should set your drill to one of the lower speed settings.

dmopar74 · 09/11/2010, 12:59 PM

glass-holes.com has nice bits for cheap.

also templates are only needed to begin the hole, once the grove is started the template can be removed.

csarkar001 · 09/11/2010, 01:58 PM

hmmm. never knew about this place. thanks for the tip.

nanonubey · 09/11/2010, 10:11 PM

I got a great kit on amazon for $60, it has 1/4''- 2 3/8''.

09/10/2010, 09:03 PM	#1
csarkar001 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: stamford, ct Posts: 345	drilling my glass tank (with pictures) had to drill a hole in a 90 gal glass tank. i've drilled glass before but the whole process is always nerve wracking. i'm using this tank to hold freshly made salt water which i will then pump into my display tank upstairs. Here is the tank: i bought these special drill bits to drill glass. i like this set because each drill bit comes equipped with a built in sponge which can be soaked in cold water prior to drilling. that way the drill head and tank stay cool during the drilling process. (you dont have to run water on the drill head). here i have set up the template and am about half way done driling the hole. these are always tense moments; i like to go real slow. and here is the hole after i was finished. it took me nearly 40 minutes to drill just this one hole. after installing the bulkhead fitting and glueing a pvc pipe, i let the joint dry (24 hrs) and then put some water in the tank for an overnight test to see if the bulkhead is leaky. the adaptor and cap are not glued in because they are temporary. a pump will replace them once the bulkhead proves good. Last edited by csarkar001; 09/10/2010 at 09:18 PM.

09/11/2010, 12:23 PM	#4
csarkar001 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: stamford, ct Posts: 345	where i bought the bits i got these bits from Contractors Direct in milford, CT which is only an hour from me. however, it looks like you can also get them from their web site mail order. Here is a link. These drill bits are not cheap (i paid over $200!) because they have diamond dust on them. using the template to drill is essential. especially if you have to stop part way and continue again. if you have a multispeed drill, you should set your drill to one of the lower speed settings. Last edited by csarkar001; 09/11/2010 at 12:29 PM.

09/11/2010, 01:58 PM	#6
csarkar001 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: stamford, ct Posts: 345	glass-holes.com hmmm. never knew about this place. thanks for the tip.

09/11/2010, 10:11 PM	#7
nanonubey Shogun Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Illinois, Montgomery Posts: 2,048	I got a great kit on amazon for $60, it has 1/4''- 2 3/8''. __________________ 250 DD, Nanoseascreations custom sump and reactor with Seaslug bio pellets , (2) 400w MH Lumen max2 (20k Radium) and (2) 80w ATI aqua blue plus t-5's ,(2) Tunze 6105's w Tunze 7095, (2) Vortech mp40w es,ReefKeeper Elite, JBJ ATO, Reef octopus extreme 200, and Arctica 1/5 chiller. RR 20l frag tank, Nova Extreme light with ATI bulbs, (12) bulb d.i.y. reefledlights.com , (1)Vortech MP10es. " My girlfriend hates when I use the F word in any of it's various forms, fish, fish tank, fish store...." " Ninja fish trips weekly"

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09/11/2010, 07:29 AM	#2
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	Any more info on the bit set, cost, supplier, etc.? Mostly I like the template device, that looks handy for drilling a number of tanks. Jeff

09/11/2010, 09:19 AM	#3
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	Nicely done i would also like to know where you got the bits.

09/11/2010, 12:59 PM	#5
dmopar74 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: WA Posts: 222	glass-holes.com has nice bits for cheap. also templates are only needed to begin the hole, once the grove is started the template can be removed.