Drilling Glass

phil_pl · 12-16-2011, 12:40 PM

I have exhausted all my resources and have failed to find a local company that will drill a glass aquarium that is not in pieces...

So... It looks like I am going to get to try my hand at glass drilling. Could someone who has done this before give me some pointers? I have a good idea about what bits I need, from what I have seen everyone is just used diamond tip bits with running water. I have also seen that it is a good idea to clamp wood behind the cut so the bottom doesn't bust out. But is there anything special that I will need to know to do this successfully?

John_Mel · 12-16-2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil_pl

I have exhausted all my resources and have failed to find a local company that will drill a glass aquarium that is not in pieces...

So... It looks like I am going to get to try my hand at glass drilling. Could someone who has done this before give me some pointers? I have a good idea about what bits I need, from what I have seen everyone is just used diamond tip bits with running water. I have also seen that it is a good idea to clamp wood behind the cut so the bottom doesn't bust out. But is there anything special that I will need to know to do this successfully?

I discovered this on another forum which provides a step by step procedure for drilling glass:

Drilling glass tanks is INCREDIBLY easy Drilling glass tanks is INCREDIBLY easy - DIY Aquarium Projects - Aquatic Plant Central

JUNKBOAT · 12-19-2011, 01:30 AM

It Looks Very Worth While. I May Give It A Try. It May Be Worth While Using Another Piece Of Glass On The Back Side To Keep The Chipping Very Minimal As This Should Cover The Surface Very Tight To The Edge Being Scraped Off, But As I Have Never Tried. BRACING THE BIT WOULD BE SMART I THING THE MOST CRUCIAL PART WOULD BE THE BREAK THROUGH (NO PRESSURE). GOOD INFO JOHN.

TypeYourTextHere · 12-19-2011, 01:52 AM

I have not drilled glass myself but I do know how it is done. Be sure and read up/watch videos on youtube about it. It is fairly simple to do as I have watched it be done before. Just make sure to keep the surface that you are drilling wet, let the weight of the drill put the pressure on the cut(don't exert force onto the drill) and let the drill bit do all the work. I would suggest getting some "practice glass" and make several successful attempts before drilling your tank. Practice glass is fairly cheap in comparison to buying a new tank. Here is an example video on how to drill glass.

How to drill a fish tank aquarium - YouTube

iadubber · 12-19-2011, 06:36 AM

Slow, Steady, and water.

phil_pl · 12-24-2011, 10:44 AM

Just got my drill bit and bulkheads last night. Hope to try a practice hole in the next few days!

John_Mel · 12-24-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iadubber

Slow, Steady, and water.

Another very good lubricant for drilling glass is kerosene (paraffin). Always keep the glass and bit well lubricated.

Build a dam of putty around the intended hole and fill it with your lubricant. This way your drill bit will always be wet and you can maintain a steady but light pressure.

Good luck, don't hurry it.

archer772 · 12-24-2011, 02:27 PM

Make sure its NOT tempered because if it is you will end up with shattered glass

mzwygart · 05-07-2012, 02:20 AM

I'm curious on your outcome because I considered doing this but was too afraid.

12-16-2011, 12:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
phil_pl Aquarium Lover phil_pl's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,145 Name: Phil Location: Dalton, Georgia My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 563 Times Said "Thanks" 287 Times Was Thanked 308 Times in 246 Posts	Drilling Glass I have exhausted all my resources and have failed to find a local company that will drill a glass aquarium that is not in pieces... So... It looks like I am going to get to try my hand at glass drilling. Could someone who has done this before give me some pointers? I have a good idea about what bits I need, from what I have seen everyone is just used diamond tip bits with running water. I have also seen that it is a good idea to clamp wood behind the cut so the bottom doesn't bust out. But is there anything special that I will need to know to do this successfully? __________________ It has become more than a hobby! My 29gal Dream Reef DIY Build Last edited by phil_pl : 12-18-2011 at 09:49 PM.

12-19-2011, 01:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
JUNKBOAT Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 14 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 10 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Drilling Glass It Looks Very Worth While. I May Give It A Try. It May Be Worth While Using Another Piece Of Glass On The Back Side To Keep The Chipping Very Minimal As This Should Cover The Surface Very Tight To The Edge Being Scraped Off, But As I Have Never Tried. BRACING THE BIT WOULD BE SMART I THING THE MOST CRUCIAL PART WOULD BE THE BREAK THROUGH (NO PRESSURE). GOOD INFO JOHN.

12-19-2011, 06:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
iadubber Eternally Undecided Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 140 Name: Chad Location: Farley, IA My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 45 Times Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 17 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Drilling Glass Slow, Steady, and water.

12-24-2011, 10:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
phil_pl Aquarium Lover phil_pl's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,145 Name: Phil Location: Dalton, Georgia My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 563 Times Said "Thanks" 287 Times Was Thanked 308 Times in 246 Posts	Re: Drilling Glass Just got my drill bit and bulkheads last night. Hope to try a practice hole in the next few days! __________________ It has become more than a hobby! My 29gal Dream Reef DIY Build

12-24-2011, 02:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
archer772 archer772's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 943 Name: Scott Location: Michigan My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 273 Times Said "Thanks" 15 Times Was Thanked 261 Times in 250 Posts	Re: Drilling Glass Make sure its NOT tempered because if it is you will end up with shattered glass

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05-07-2012, 02:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
mzwygart Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 9 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Drilling Glass I'm curious on your outcome because I considered doing this but was too afraid. __________________ Follow Me On Pinterest

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