Can someone give me information on drilling glass.

[zulu_principle]

I just completed drilling 8, 10 gallon tanks for my fish room and none broke in drilling. That being said my dad did break one tightening up the bulkhead, ill take the $11 out of his paycheque. (damn I don't pay him)

We didn't have a fancy setup just a peice of 1 x 4 that was set-up, 2x4 behind for stability and used water for cooling.

As for a new hole over a smaller one ??? but a new guide would make it easy. Andrew I have the 2 bits, one for a one inch bulkhead and one that fits the 3/4 inch bulkhead, so let me know if you want to borrow.

Wendell

[reefburnaby]

Delphinus,

I have used a Dremel (well, at least the Sear's version of Dremel), to cut glass and ceramic tiles. I haven't used in aquarium applications, but I have used it in my hobbies. There are a couple guys on RC that have done it before.

I don't think the bulkhead needs an 100% round hole for it to work. Since the dremel removes material at a snail's pace, you can slowly shave the hole to the desired shape. With a marker, you can trace the outline of the bulkhead (inner part) and use the dremel to slowly shave the material inside the marked area. The outline should be round enough for it to work.

- Victor.

[canadawest]

I might borrow the 3/4" one from you Wendell... Just not sure if I will be able to drill the tank while it's in place without breaking it.

The glass shop that drilled it used a drill press and the antifreeze was indeed for cooling and lubrication.

I'd have to free-hand drill it over the existing hole, and that makes me uncomfortable. We'll see if I decided to do it or not.

[Delphinus]

I freehand drill all my holes, in fact did a 1.75" last night and a 5/8" hole this morning.

The trick that I was told by my glass drilling "mentor," that I think is pivotal, is to start the hole at an angle until you have a groove that can hold the drill in place, then slowly rotate to horizontal. All the meanwhile, not too much pressure, and only about 1/4 speed of the drill.

The only thing about enlarging an existing hole, is, if you're going to use lubcricant it will be a challenge to keep the lubrication in place. If it were me, I'd probably try something like duct tape on the back side so the liquid doesn't pour through and disappear on you too quickly. It's just a thought, I haven't tried this myself so please do take my advice with a grain of salt!

[rossb]

here is a link to a discussion about drilling a hole with a dremel.
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...002/10/3/93892

I am going to try this on my 33 gall refugium..and then my sump.

It is a good discussion

[Jayson]

Tony is bang on. I have drilled many holes by hand and even enlarged holes with a bigger bit by hand. You do not need coolant to drill horizontal you can just use water, just make sure it is cold water. A glass drilling machine is the best way but if you do not have one try it by hand and start the bit off at a slight angle. Hope this helps