Drilling clean and splinter free holes

Mr. Roy · 05/30/2012, 10:12 AM

Hello everyone,

I am about to drill a tank for the first time and I had a question about reducing splintering around the hole.

Have any of you ever tried to backup the other side of the glass with tape, wood, plastic, acrylic or glass when drilling? If so, did it work? Which material worked the best?

I was thinking about clamping and taping a sheet of glass on the inside of the tank when drilling to reduce splintering. Please let me know if I am just wasting time and money.

Thanks,
JGR

fishoutawater · 05/30/2012, 10:50 AM

Ive drilled dozens of holes, just go very slowly at the end, keep your bit wet, and yes, a little duct tape on the other side is a good idea. I also recommend using plumber's putty to make a water dam, much faster, cleaner and easier than running a hose.

das_reef · 05/30/2012, 12:18 PM

get 2 6x6 inch pieces of 3/4 plywood. drill a hole in 1 piece the exact size of the drill bit. this piece will help with wobbling and such. clamp the 2 pieces to the glass you want to drill sandwiched in between the wood . like others said use plent of water and take your time. 3/8 glass takes about 3-4 min on a 2 3/8 hole in glass.

NanoReefWanabe · 05/30/2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by das_reef

get 2 6x6 inch pieces of 3/4 plywood. drill a hole in 1 piece the exact size of the drill bit. this piece will help with wobbling and such. clamp the 2 pieces to the glass you want to drill sandwiched in between the wood . like others said use plent of water and take your time. 3/8 glass takes about 3-4 min on a 2 3/8 hole in glass.

that is how i do it, but i use a square hole....it allows more water around the bit.

jagr200 · 05/30/2012, 04:30 PM

I use the plumbers putty if I use water. But lately if used vasoline and it works perfect. Just clean it with a vinegar solution after.

laugh · 05/30/2012, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by das_reef

get 2 6x6 inch pieces of 3/4 plywood. drill a hole in 1 piece the exact size of the drill bit. this piece will help with wobbling and such. clamp the 2 pieces to the glass you want to drill sandwiched in between the wood . like others said use plent of water and take your time. 3/8 glass takes about 3-4 min on a 2 3/8 hole in glass.

This way.

Mr. Roy · 05/31/2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by das_reef

get 2 6x6 inch pieces of 3/4 plywood. drill a hole in 1 piece the exact size of the drill bit. this piece will help with wobbling and such. clamp the 2 pieces to the glass you want to drill sandwiched in between the wood . like others said use plent of water and take your time. 3/8 glass takes about 3-4 min on a 2 3/8 hole in glass.

I like this method. Would you remove the top piece of plywood after the hole is started or would you keep it there for the complete drill to act as a guide?

I also have access to a drill guide. Do you think its better to use a drill guide with just the bottom plywood or drill the hole free-handed with both pieces of plywood?

Thank you.

laugh · 05/31/2012, 04:26 PM

If you can clamp the drill guide down it will work. I think just using a plywood guide would be easier and perhaps work better.

Oppee · 05/31/2012, 04:48 PM

I have found MDF works great on the bottom side of the glass sandwich it is a smoother feel than plywood and almost watertight. +1 on using a plywood drilled jig to start it, after my groove started i usually take that off and do a putty dam. Also use a drill with a clutch on lowest setting which will help if it binds and help protect it not to crack the glass.

Porgy Bait · 06/01/2012, 07:20 AM

I've drilled hundreds of holes in glass and always used a putty dam around the hole filled with water. It's simple, fast, and cheap. The ideal situation is if you use a tripod drill or drill press but it can be done with a hand drill if you are careful. Most chipping is done when the drill is not held straight and at the very end when it exits the glass. Use duct tape on the opposite side of the hole it will help to eliminate chipping. The most important part is not to push the drill let the bit grind the hole and try to use as little pressure as you can. I was in the glass business for 16 years and this always worked for me.

MatteZ · 06/11/2012, 06:37 PM

How can I Be 100% sure it is not tempered glass? I don't think it is but I'm still worried. I have looked at it with polarized sunglasses checked for markings in the corner and I can't seem to find the manufacturer. My buddy gave me the tank.....

rocking · 06/11/2012, 06:57 PM

what brand of tank is it ?

muttley000 · 06/11/2012, 07:23 PM

google "Polarized Lense Tempered Glass Test" look for the link from Salt City

fng_71 · 06/12/2012, 09:05 AM

as far as manufacturer look for any sticker that might have a logo like perfecto has an anchor logo that often has a manufactured date.

fng_71 · 06/12/2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by das_reef

get 2 6x6 inch pieces of 3/4 plywood. drill a hole in 1 piece the exact size of the drill bit. this piece will help with wobbling and such. clamp the 2 pieces to the glass you want to drill sandwiched in between the wood . like others said use plent of water and take your time. 3/8 glass takes about 3-4 min on a 2 3/8 hole in glass.

my first time took about 20 minutes for 3/8" glass because i went real slow and was nervous. so don't worry if it takes a little longer.

05/30/2012, 10:12 AM	#1
Mr. Roy Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 11	Drilling clean and splinter free holes Hello everyone, I am about to drill a tank for the first time and I had a question about reducing splintering around the hole. Have any of you ever tried to backup the other side of the glass with tape, wood, plastic, acrylic or glass when drilling? If so, did it work? Which material worked the best? I was thinking about clamping and taping a sheet of glass on the inside of the tank when drilling to reduce splintering. Please let me know if I am just wasting time and money. Thanks, JGR

05/30/2012, 10:50 AM	#2
fishoutawater Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: salt lake city, ut Posts: 577	Ive drilled dozens of holes, just go very slowly at the end, keep your bit wet, and yes, a little duct tape on the other side is a good idea. I also recommend using plumber's putty to make a water dam, much faster, cleaner and easier than running a hose. __________________ 40 Breeder DIY external overflow, closed loop, skimmer, sump, dosers,.... Current Tank Info: 29gal reef w 20 gal sump/40gal reef w 20gal sump

05/31/2012, 04:26 PM	#8
laugh Member of the Registry Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,226	If you can clamp the drill guide down it will work. I think just using a plywood guide would be easier and perhaps work better. __________________ NORK President Current Tank Info: All gone

05/31/2012, 04:48 PM	#9
Oppee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 51	I have found MDF works great on the bottom side of the glass sandwich it is a smoother feel than plywood and almost watertight. +1 on using a plywood drilled jig to start it, after my groove started i usually take that off and do a putty dam. Also use a drill with a clutch on lowest setting which will help if it binds and help protect it not to crack the glass. __________________ Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. Current Tank Info: 180g DT -- 55g sump--40g frag

06/11/2012, 07:23 PM	#13
muttley000 MTS Sufferer! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,926	google "Polarized Lense Tempered Glass Test" look for the link from Salt City __________________ Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon! Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!

05/30/2012, 12:18 PM	#3
das_reef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 125	get 2 6x6 inch pieces of 3/4 plywood. drill a hole in 1 piece the exact size of the drill bit. this piece will help with wobbling and such. clamp the 2 pieces to the glass you want to drill sandwiched in between the wood . like others said use plent of water and take your time. 3/8 glass takes about 3-4 min on a 2 3/8 hole in glass.

05/30/2012, 04:30 PM	#5
jagr200 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Montana Posts: 74	I use the plumbers putty if I use water. But lately if used vasoline and it works perfect. Just clean it with a vinegar solution after.

06/01/2012, 07:20 AM	#10
Porgy Bait Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 54	I've drilled hundreds of holes in glass and always used a putty dam around the hole filled with water. It's simple, fast, and cheap. The ideal situation is if you use a tripod drill or drill press but it can be done with a hand drill if you are careful. Most chipping is done when the drill is not held straight and at the very end when it exits the glass. Use duct tape on the opposite side of the hole it will help to eliminate chipping. The most important part is not to push the drill let the bit grind the hole and try to use as little pressure as you can. I was in the glass business for 16 years and this always worked for me.

06/11/2012, 06:37 PM	#11
MatteZ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Riverton NJ Posts: 15	How can I Be 100% sure it is not tempered glass? I don't think it is but I'm still worried. I have looked at it with polarized sunglasses checked for markings in the corner and I can't seem to find the manufacturer. My buddy gave me the tank.....

06/11/2012, 06:57 PM	#12
rocking Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: gridley ca Posts: 434	what brand of tank is it ?

06/12/2012, 09:05 AM	#14
fng_71 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Island Lake, IL Posts: 203	as far as manufacturer look for any sticker that might have a logo like perfecto has an anchor logo that often has a manufactured date.