ctownmangler
Member
I see that diamond tipped core bit's are not that expensive....anyone ever try this?
has anyone drilled thier tank?
- Thread starter ctownmangler
- Start date
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I'm drilling right now.
Glass tank, diamond drill bit. Jumping on board this thread because I must be doing something wrong. I'm drilling 4 holes in my 120 (1/2" thick). I have been drilling for 5 days now (not continuous) and have only completed 2 & 3/4 holes. I have been drilling for three hours with a few breaks today and have only completed 3/4 of a hole.
Heres what I'm doing:
after marking where I wanted the holes I created a dam out of playdo and filled it with water to keep the bit cool. I didn't use a drill press or anything (which I'm sure is the way to go), just free hand. I'm drilling very slowly. Around 200 rpm per the instructions. Even slower in the begining to create a groove. After that I just sit there and let the drill do the work, without apply much pressure at all. Just sitting there holding a drill, trying to keep the trigger still and hold a even pace. Sitting there, until my arm starts shaking and I have to take a break, or the battery on my cordless drill begins to wear out.
Hopefully someone will post with some better input, but this is what Im doing and is how I understood it should be done.
Glass tank, diamond drill bit. Jumping on board this thread because I must be doing something wrong. I'm drilling 4 holes in my 120 (1/2" thick). I have been drilling for 5 days now (not continuous) and have only completed 2 & 3/4 holes. I have been drilling for three hours with a few breaks today and have only completed 3/4 of a hole.
Heres what I'm doing:
after marking where I wanted the holes I created a dam out of playdo and filled it with water to keep the bit cool. I didn't use a drill press or anything (which I'm sure is the way to go), just free hand. I'm drilling very slowly. Around 200 rpm per the instructions. Even slower in the begining to create a groove. After that I just sit there and let the drill do the work, without apply much pressure at all. Just sitting there holding a drill, trying to keep the trigger still and hold a even pace. Sitting there, until my arm starts shaking and I have to take a break, or the battery on my cordless drill begins to wear out.
Hopefully someone will post with some better input, but this is what Im doing and is how I understood it should be done.
Gordo
Well-known member
At 200 rpm it will take a really long time to drill trough glass. When I drilled my tank I was running at about 700 - 900 rpm and it took 10 - 15 minutes to go all the way through a 3/8" back. I would up the rpm a little.
I have tried to up the rpms but it feels like the bit is just spinning and not really grinding away at the glass. Ill try to spin the bit faster and maybe add a little bit more pressure, thanks.
ctownmangler- I didn't mean to hijak your thread or scare you away from trying to drill your tank. I had literraly just finished drilling and was frustrated at how long it was taking. Sorry.
ctownmangler- I didn't mean to hijak your thread or scare you away from trying to drill your tank. I had literraly just finished drilling and was frustrated at how long it was taking. Sorry.
reeffan
Well-known member
Are you using this drill for a glass or acrylic?
reeffan
reeffan
reeffan
Well-known member
I guess its glass..im kinda slow =)
reeffan
reeffan
DonW
R.I.P.
Is it a Home Depot special labeled "for glass and tile". If so keep going the way your doing it. If you have a glass and tile bit its just a tile bit and will cut if you go real slow. A real glass bit shoud cut each hole in about ten minutes. I use a plywood/glass sandwhich with a groove to drip water in. 3/4 ply will help guide the bit and help with arm fatigue.
Don
Don
10 Minutes!
I have diamond bit made for glass (seen here). Maybe I'm just going too slow, being too cautious. I'll pick back up tomorrow and kick it up a few gears.
I was going to do the plywood thing, in fact I dont know why I didn't. Definitely would have made it easier to get started through the glass.
I have diamond bit made for glass (seen here). Maybe I'm just going too slow, being too cautious. I'll pick back up tomorrow and kick it up a few gears.
I was going to do the plywood thing, in fact I dont know why I didn't. Definitely would have made it easier to get started through the glass.
gljjr
Active member
Yikes! Now I KNOW I got a good deal when I had Issaquah Glass put 2 3" holes in the back of my tank! They charged less for both holes than I would have to pay for one of those drill bits. Of course getting my tank to them was a chore! Those big glass tanks are heavy!
DonW
R.I.P.
Its like I thought(bit quality). That is just a glass and tile bit. Here is what I use http://www.cyberrockhound.com/lapidary_diamond_drills.htm#core. Quite a bit more expensive but well worth it.
Don
Don
ctownmangler
Member
yes it's for glass....and don't worry about it Mapster, as all info is appreciated....i just wanted to hear some horror stories....I have found bit's for around $20, but just the thought of drilling makes me break out in a sweat!
ahhh. Should have done my homework.
Looks like back to slow and steady...and tired and aggrevated.
gljjr- would have cost me about the same to get it drilled by a LFS, I just didn't think drilling myself would be as difficult as lugging a 120 to the LFS, but I was wrong. Who knew????
ctownmangler - it is a scary thought, I was sweating bullets when I started. I'm no longer nervouse about it, just tired of it.
Looks like back to slow and steady...and tired and aggrevated.
gljjr- would have cost me about the same to get it drilled by a LFS, I just didn't think drilling myself would be as difficult as lugging a 120 to the LFS, but I was wrong. Who knew????
ctownmangler - it is a scary thought, I was sweating bullets when I started. I'm no longer nervouse about it, just tired of it.
MzWeazelle
Well-known member
I've got a 90 that I'd LOVE to drill, but no way to know if it is tempered or not. Never wanted to take the chance, and now it's full of water.
MzWeazelle
MzWeazelle
Katchupoy
Well-known member
There is this guy that did drill his glass tank by means of a DREMEL...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=234382&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=234382&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
ctownmangler
Member
thanks...that DREMEL link is great!
wanareef
reefer addict
I have drilled my glass tank using those diamond bits from Harbor Frieght. These fit in a dremel or a Fordom hand piece (flexshaft) you get 20 bits for $7.00, yes $7.00 and it takes about 10 mins to do one hole. A lot cheaper than the diamond drill bits. These are more like burrs - diamond coated and last about 1 - 2 holes.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40547
hth
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40547
hth
