Drill Baby Drill!

[elfloyd]

For anyone experienced in drilling a tank:

<span style="color: Purple;">Does the tank need to positioned where the side being drilled must be facing up in a horizontal position?</span>

I know this is preferred to hold water around the drill bit. But can the side being drilled be in a vertical position if water is sprayed on the developing hole and bit?

I am considering drilling a 180, but need to do it indoors while on the stand (empty, of course!), and don't have the luxuary of being able to flip the tank at will.

Thoughts appreciated!!

 

[bycjoe]

I don't see why not, I've heard of people drilling their tanks filled, only draining enough water to get below their drill mark, keeping it wet is key, irrigating the cut to draw debris away and keep the bit cool.

 

[bobz]

I've always drilled with the side down but I think so long as you maintain 90 degree angle and do not move side to side or up/down and keep wet should be fine. The only time I cracked glass was when drilling thin glass and applying too much pressure and movement.... good luck!

 

[acroholic]

Grouper Therapy can give you any and all advice you need about drilling a tank. He drilled two 3/4" bulkhead holes in the back glass of a FW 180 gallon tank for me free hand using a drill with hole saw. Tank was upright on the stand.

 

[elfloyd]

I chickened out and went with reef ready. I'm prone to take a little risk now and then, but have come to trust my gut feeling. This time my gut said I was pushing my luck too far in drilling four holes on a new tank.

 

[rdnelson]

elFloyd;873612 wrote: I chickened out and went with reef ready. I'm prone to take a little risk now and then, but have come to trust my gut feeling. This time my gut said I was pushing my luck too far in drilling four holes on a new tank.

Panty waists. . I drilled three holes in my tank and one in Bill Boots tank. Each one was a little better. The keys are to irrigate not just keep wet. It cools the bit and glass and washes away the shavings. Also, almost no pressure as you near the break through point. Last, keeping the bit square to the glass will help limit or prevent the binding and stress caused by one side breaking through will the other side still needs to be cut.


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[elfloyd]

Pantywaist? That's so kind of you Rich!
I was thinking in much stronger terms!!

 

[rdnelson]

elFloyd;873628 wrote: Pantywaist? That's so kind of you Rich!
I was thinking in much stronger terms!!

LOL.



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[darrrenjmartin]

I have always drilled with the glass horizontal and the drill vertical. Mostly because I make a water dam around the hole using plumbers putty.
It easier to keep the bit from drifting with the glass flat.

 

[morganatlanta]

Last time I made a guide out of a piece of 1/4" acrylic drilled with the same bit. I clamped it on one side and drilled about half way, then moved it to the other side, lined it up and drilled from the other side. I was within 1/32" of meeting perfectly, and both edges came out great. Before that I always had some chips in the exit, and had a hard time getting a clean start. The guide also serves as a dam to hold some water around the bit. I drilled for 15-30 seconds, irrigated, repeat. Took less than 10 minutes for half inch glass.

 

[rdnelson]

MorganAtlanta;873645 wrote: Last time I made a guide out of a piece of 1/4" acrylic drilled with the same bit. I clamped it on one side and drilled about half way, then moved it to the other side, lined it up and drilled from the other side. I was within 1/32" of meeting perfectly, and both edges came out great. Before that I always had some chips in the exit, and had a hard time getting a clean start. The guide also serves as a dam to hold some water around the bit. I drilled for 15-30 seconds, irrigated, repeat. Took less than 10 minutes for half inch glass.

I did the same but didn't think to move it to the other side. Great idea. Gives added support against blow out.

As for water, I did it in the driveway and clamped the hose to the tank to maintain a constant water flow.


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[grouper therapy]

The most common mistake most make is chucking the bit too tight . Best to only tighten enough to keep the bit spinning with light pressure. If that is done the bit will free spin in the chuck and not bind and break the glass.

 

[morganatlanta]

That's a great idea. Would have saved me a lot of silicon around at least one bulkhead...