Did I break my tank ( first time drilling)

[Brian Kracht]

Have a look, it's hard to find larger sizes so I bought the biggest one the Depot had 1 1/8" and bored out the other 1/8" with the diamond bit. Keep in mind the step bit alone was $85 (Canadian) at the Depot. You might be able to source a cheaper one but I didn't feel like waiting for shipping lol

Wow, well for that price maybe I'll find another option. Canadian of course it's probably distorted a bit from what I'll find. We will see.

 

[JoshH]

A much cheaper option that has up to a 1 3/8" bit

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Steel-Co...Set-5-Piece-with-Storage-Case-33148/302972677

This is what I purchased (I like the expensive tools, should have mentioned that earlier lol)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-7-8-in-and-1-1-8-in-9-Step-Drill-Bit-48-89-9209/204312646

 

[jsker]

Hole saw, and do not rush it.

 

[ca1ore]

Any bimetal or wood hole saw will handle acrylic. You don't want to use a glass hole saw for plastic because it doesn't cut so much as it grinds.

 

[Brian Kracht]

Hole saw, and do not rush it.

Ok I will look for a hole saw. Thank you.

 

[Brian Kracht]

So the hole saw is the same thing as the one I used for glass minus the diamond edge?

 

[jsker]

Ok I will look for a hole saw. Thank you.

Here you go link

 

[ca1ore]

Most hole saws for wood/bimetal have cutting teeth on the cylinder and a pilot drill bit in the center. You can buy them quite Inexpensively from places like HD.

 

[jsker]

So the hole saw is the same thing as the one I used for glass minus the diamond edge?

Make sure you get a centering bit.

 

[Brian Kracht]

Most hole saws for wood/bimetal have cutting teeth on the cylinder and a pilot drill bit in the center. You can buy them quite Inexpensively from places like HD.

Thank you for the info!

Any bimetal or wood hole saw will handle acrylic. You don't want to use a glass hole saw for plastic because it doesn't cut so much as it grinds.

Here you go link

Thank you both for the help and information!

 

[jsker]

Thank you for the info!





Thank you both for the help and information!

Your welcome

 

[ca1ore]

BTW, though it usually isn't necessary, there is nothing inherently wrong with using silicone on a bulkhead, you just have to put a bead on both sides of the gasket and then give it plenty of time to cure (like a week). It's then a major pain to remove though.

 

[Brian Kracht]

Don't worry everyone, we can all rest easy. It hasn't lost any water!

I appreciate all the help.

 

[Hockeypunk1]

I bought a whole set of hole saw bits at harbor freight for less than $20 and I also picked up a step bit from there for $5... it's a dangerous store for me lol just like going to the local fish store

 

[um02122]

Hi guys,

I've recently started experimenting drilling holes in glass aquariums.

The first try the drilling machine went through and I put a crack in the tank.

The next test went uneventful.

The small chips around the hole happen because of too much pressure at the final bit of the drilling, pushing the plug with some glass outside the drilling diameter.
The way to avoid them:
- go slow, take often breaks from drilling
- tape both glass sides
- apply some counter pressure on the inside of the glass.

If you apply acrylic sheets on both sides of the hole and keep them tight then the hole will continue and there will be no chips.

Also, I've used the diamond bit in acrylic tank without much drama (had to remove molten plastic from bit later, but didn't damage the bit.