Drilling Glass - easy?

Hi everyone,

Been thinking along the lines of doing a overflow box for my future tank and wanted to get your view on how hard it is to drill a tank? Seen alot of youtube videos and it doesnt seem that hard, i just dont want to crack my dream tank on day 1.

So whats your views? Any tips?

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It can be tricky, especially if you haven't done it before. Perhaps practice on a few small pieces of glass first before attempting 'the big one'?

Personally, I'd leave it in the hands of pros. I know a few pet shops in my area do tank drilling for you, as well as general glass shops, both of which have many years experience in glass drilling.

 

If you going to be making the dream tank yourself... when you get the glass cut, as the supplier to drill the hole for you. But I've also seen videos, and i think with the correct drill bit it is pretty possible. Only thing is that drill bit is pretty expensive. I saw a 40mm glass drill bit the other day at Builders retailing for over R600.00!

 

Thanks for the replies! R600 just for the drill bit its probably cheaper and less risky if i get a glass specialist to do it.. i will keep pondering around this, maybe i should stick to my original plan of pvc overflow... But it looks so ugly haha

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Its easy to do it yourself, but rather ask the pro's

 

I also heard that it is not safe to drill a tank that has already had water in it if you planning on a 2nd hand or existing tank.

Most guys will only drill in brand new tanks!

 

@Ko7Ad here is a link how to

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...094-drilling-glass-tanks-incredibly-easy.html

so you can ponder about this your self

 

Depends on how big you want the hole to be. I've bought a 6mm diamond tipped drill bit for R80.00 at Builders. The trick is to clamp a piece of wood on the side where the bit exits and drill slowly, using water to keep the glass cool. a 4mm plastic tube will fit snugly into the 6mm hole, plus you can seal it with a bit of silicone if needs be.

 

For an overflow pipe to a sump you want minimum 32... 40 ideal. The small bits are cheaper, but they seem to grow in price exponentially

 

2 x 25mm holes as the overflow is even better. Works like the business!!

 

Been to Builders in Flowers str Gezina yesterday. 25mm Diamond core Glass drill bits for R142.00. I'm putting one on next months budget.

At www.Drillglass.com you get all the tips you need to drill glass. They even send you a free downloadable guide in PDF format.

 

I bought 25mm on friday from my one suppliers for R103.00 looks like a holesaw

 

Thanks!!

Also added to my budget for next month

 

Ha ha...!! not so easy got the 25mm today.

First one went well but to hasty, second one also went well......or so I thought.
with the first one I was standing but put to much presure on it so with the second one I got some thing to sit on so the drilling went well but couldn't see the angle so well so it ran all over without me noticing when I took the water of I saw it. So with a bit of practice you should be able to do it don't start of on your tank at first.......



Practice first.....!!!!!!

 

Iesh.. hahaha now im scared. did you try make a L-Shape piece of wood to keep the hole saw in place? Think that could help as it will keep the drill from moving all over the place.

 

Yes was thinking of all that but time was running out was working outside and had to make a thing to do the water feed and not get it all over, the thing is you have to start it on a angle then bring it up straight cause there is no pilot drill like on a holesaw .But let me tell you,that thing cuts like hell

 

Did it took about 30min on 6mm glass, actualy easy if you think of it .......

 

Grats Willem - love the look of intense concentration on your face...lol

 

Hi guysI found this to be pretty easy.Take a spare piece of glass 3mm would be fine. Take some tack and build a littledam wall around the area you want to drill. Fill the dam with water.No slowly drill this piece.Now you use this 3mm glass with the tack dam and hole as a pilot forthe next hole. It helps if you have an extra hand to help keep thepilot glass down and keep the dam filled.