They said it would be easy

[Peace River]

So from doing some research online
The glass probably isn’t tempered. I will check it for sure when I get home. I think it was a combination of not having enough water, putting pressure on the drill and not having the bit square with the glass. So basically o did everything you’re not supposed to do. I’m gonna try it again tomorrow

If I remember correctly, I broke the 3rd and 13th tank that I attempted to drill. Do you remember all of that adreneline flowing through your body right after it cracked? That is what will help you go really, really slow next time (and even slower at the end) when you really want to just push through like you would with wood. That memory started to fade and I got overly confident and that is when unlucky #13 happened. Since then I haven't forgotten to go slow, go slow, go slow, use a jig, have plenty of water, stay straight, and go slow (notice a theme?). Having a practice tank to drill several holes is really a blessing in disguise. If it would have worked the first time, then you would have likely gotten overconfident at some time (I'm guessing that will now be a while). Sometimes it's how you react to mistakes that matter and I'm reasonably confident that you are now on the fast track to perfecting your tank drilling skills!

 

[Land Shark]

To tell the difference between tempered glass and safety glass, check the corners. Tempered glass will have a marking on one of the corners.

You can rent a special drill mount tool that positions your drill on the glass at the correct right angle. It basically turns your drill into a drill press. Once you have the tool, you just take it slow and use plenty of water. It works like a charm. Your local glass shop will know all about it.

 

[Erica-Renee]

If I remember correctly, I broke the 3rd and 13th tank that I attempted to drill. Do you remember all of that adreneline flowing through your body right after it cracked? That is what will help you go really, really slow next time (and even slower at the end) when you really want to just push through like you would with wood. That memory started to fade and I got overly confident and that is when unlucky #13 happened. Since then I haven't forgotten to go slow, go slow, go slow, use a jig, have plenty of water, stay straight, and go slow (notice a theme?). Having a practice tank to drill several holes is really a blessing in disguise. If it would have worked the first time, then you would have likely gotten overconfident at some time (I'm guessing that will now be a while). Sometimes it's how you react to mistakes that matter and I'm reasonably confident that you are now on the fast track to perfecting your tank drilling skills!

There is also the Skill and Confidence of Just handling a Drill. Knowing how to hold it square and how much force you are actually pushing if any at all. Just running a 3 inch long screw into a soft piece of pine is a Challenge for most people. Drilling into glass with a large hole saw bit having to hold it firmly in place without applying pressure all while balancing it on its cutting edge is not the easiest thing..
I almost never use a guide bit even when using a course thread wood bit.. I have the experience to be able to angle the drill a bit get it started then rotate it flat.. I actually do the same for drilling into tile glass and Steel...

But 30 plus experience ..

 

[russell13]

Tested the glass with a pair of polarized sunglasses and it does not appear to be tempered. Guess I was just pushing a bit hard on it

 

[Peace River]

Tested the glass with a pair of polarized sunglasses and it does not appear to be tempered. Guess I was just pushing a bit hard on it

Thank you for the feedback and for your willingness to be candid. This experience and thread has created a learning opportunity for you and (probably) many others. Now, back to developing your drilling skills! Let us know how it goes!

 

[russell13]

I think this is going to help

 

[russell13]

The plot thickens.
Tried a practice hole on the front panel. Used the plumbers putty, did a much better job of keeping the water where I needed it. I went much slower this time stooping to add more water and not putting any pressure on the drill. About 2 minutes in the whole glass just explodes and hits the bottom. I can say without a Doubt that the glass was tempered. I went to throw the tank away, after putting it in the trash can I used a hammer to break the glass. The other two panels broke the same way my drilled panels broke, but the bottom panel broke differently. It didn’t shatter it broke into very large pieces. Long sharp knife like pieces. So it turns out the only side that wasn’t tempered was the bottom. I had asked a guy at my LFS and he told me with most tanks only the bottom is tempered. Guess I did the sunglasses test wrong, or maybe my sunglasses aren’t polarized. Oh well lesson learned.

 

[russell13]

 

[Erica-Renee]

I think this is going to help

Hope you did NOT get that out of my van . I will be needing it next week .

 

[russell13]

Wooooohoooooo!!!!!!!!

 

[russell13]

Thanks for all the info. Took it nice and easy. Just go slow and keep water on it. I’m confident I could do it again now.

 

[Peace River]

Thanks for all the info. Took it nice and easy. Just go slow and keep water on it. I’m confident I could do it again now.

Great work! Congratulations! You now know the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!

 

[Goodair]

Something new to add to the resume!
*professional glass cutter.

 

[russell13]

Yeah if it felt pretty good. I think it’s scarier than it is hard. You’re not really drilling the glass you’re grinding it. Patience’s is the key

 

[Peace River]

Yeah if it felt pretty good. I think it’s scarier than it is hard. You’re not really drilling the glass you’re grinding it. Patience’s is the key

That’s a good way to phrase it - grinding not drilling. Slow is important and even slower at the end.

 

[russell13]

It was good a had the first tank to learn on anyways. I’m pretty sure I would have broken one regardless just in the learning process. Thanks again for all the help. Next step is to paint the panels black and fit the plumbing. I’ll post a pic of the finished product

 

[russell13]

I think I’m gonna do a build thread on it

 

[Goodair]

build threads arw fun to follow along!

 

[Erica-Renee]

This has been a drilling last few days in this thread.. oops thrilling

 

[sfin52]

The wood or thick plastic for a guide. A dam around that or a buddy pouring water on the bit. Don't push, let the tool do the work.

You can rig up a hose as well