Fast enough drill to use?

[ndz98]

I plan on drilling my tank either this week or next but I need to make sure the drill I have is going to be fast enough to make a clean cut. It's a corded drill and from what it says on the side it goes 1000 rpm. Fast enough?

 

[Pfisherman]

Yeah I drilled my own tank and you don't need to go fast. A cordless drill with a clutch would be better as with all the torque of an electric drill you can easily crack your tank when it begins to cut through at the end.

 

[ndz98]

Okay good deal. Thanks!

 

[redfishbluefish]

You actually want to go slow, and keep the drill bit wet and cool....with no pressure on the drill. So you'll be fine.

 

[ndz98]

You actually want to go slow, and keep the drill bit wet and cool....with no pressure on the drill. So you'll be fine.

Would it be bad to drill for like 10 seconds then stop or should I just do it all the way until I get through?

 

[Pfisherman]

You should do it outside where you can run water on it, I'd do it in one pass. Put a towel in the tank so the glass disc doesn't fall and crack the other side

 

[redfishbluefish]

Here's my advice on drilling glass

1. The glass can not be tempered. Tempered glass can not be drilled.

2. Ideally use a drill guide. Starting a drill bit on glass without one is difficult for the beginner. In addition, the guide gives you a reservoir for the water to keep the bit wet. If you don't have one, it is easily made from plywood or acrylic using a hole saw of the approximate size of the glass bit you are using. Here's a picture of an acrylic guide I use.

3. Using plumber's putty seal the guide to the tank and use tape (duct tape works well) to hold the guide in place.

4. Before you start to drill, put something below to catch the "hole." If you don't do this, the hole falls and cracks the opposite side of the tank.

5. Fill the reservoir with water and start drilling...with no pressure on the drill.

6. Stop and add water as needed. Be especially careful when you are close to breaking through to minimize glass splintering.....that is, no pressure.

Hope this helps.

 

[ndz98]

You should do it outside where you can run water on it, I'd do it in one pass. Put a towel in the tank so the glass disc doesn't fall and crack the other side

Yea I was planning on doing it outside. Hopefully it's not below freezing when I do it lol.

 

[ndz98]

Here's my advice on drilling glass

1. The glass can not be tempered. Tempered glass can not be drilled.

2. Ideally use a drill guide. Starting a drill bit on glass without one is difficult for the beginner. In addition, the guide gives you a reservoir for the water to keep the bit wet. If you don't have one, it is easily made from plywood or acrylic using a hole saw of the approximate size of the glass bit you are using. Here's a picture of an acrylic guide I use.

3. Using plumber's putty seal the guide to the tank and use tape (duct tape works well) to hold the guide in place.

4. Before you start to drill, put something below to catch the "hole." If you don't do this, the hole falls and cracks the opposite side of the tank.

5. Fill the reservoir with water and start drilling...with no pressure on the drill.

6. Stop and add water as needed. Be especially careful when you are close to breaking through to minimize glass splintering.....that is, no pressure.

Hope this helps.

I feel pretty good about drilling my tank now. I'm sure it's a lot easier than it seems. Luckily if I screw up its on a little 29g tank so not a real deep hit.

 

[redfishbluefish]

It's easy. Once you drill your first hole, you're an expert. Certificate to follow!

 

[ndz98]

It's easy. Once you drill your first hole, you're an expert. Certificate to follow!

How many inches away should I make each hole atleast? I think I've seen 2 in from the top and 2 inches from each other right.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm not sure why you are drilling multiple holes, but the general rule is at least a diameters distance from the edge and any other hole. If you're getting a Glass Holes, the overflow will determine the distance from the top edge....which will be more than the diameter.

 

[ndz98]

I'm not sure why you are drilling multiple holes, but the general rule is at least a diameters distance from the edge and any other hole. If you're getting a Glass Holes, the overflow will determine the distance from the top edge....which will be more than the diameter.

I'm drilling two in the overflow area. One as a main overflow and one as an emergency.

 

[melev]

Here's a video showing how I did it.