Best drilling method

Jetsetter57 · May 12, 2014

YouTube makes it look easy. Going through the top back glass. It's not tempered. Corded hand drill freehand/drill guide/DIY wood guide? Or build a brace/support and use a drill press? Dribble water throughout or dam method? 110 gal tank 60"x18". Anyone have good/bad experiences drilling? Any super secret special tips or tricks?

Spinner · May 12, 2014

We used a drill press many times when drilling tanks make sure you support glass from under side if doing this way. Make a plywood pattern and build a weir out of plumbers putty to hold water. No matter which way you choose go slow and let the bit do the work. First hole takes the longest piece of cake after that

Good Luck!

newtothis · May 12, 2014

I use the wrench that you use to remove the canister from RO system as my dam. I do the tilt method to grab then slowly angle. I would recommend to put a rag, towel or something to pad the glass when it goes thru without cracking. Go slow and let the bit work for you, especially towards the end which is crucial or else you get clamed...GL

xmas_one · May 12, 2014

Just use water, go slow at the end, and use a drill motor with a clutch on it (just in case you newb out and jam the bit).

Jetsetter57 · May 12, 2014

You want the bit turning at the highest speed right? I saw some nut on YouTube say the slowest is best and he cracked like 3 tanks. Seems to me that way too much vibration in the glass at slow speeds. Would using any kind of cutting oil be better than water? Like the stuff you use to cut a pane of glass?

ep3n3wp · May 12, 2014

Take the tank to Chad at Coral Gazers... He just drilled my 120

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Clifford · May 12, 2014

newtothis said:

Curious where you got the idea of using the ro wrench?

newtothis · May 12, 2014

Clifford said:

From you master jedi

gerry0625 · May 12, 2014

I drilled the back of my sons 27g cube, i got everything from glass-holes.com like everyone has said let the drill bit do the work and the weight of the drill you are there to guide it keep water flowing and you will be fine have fun, i want to see pics...

nesbie · May 13, 2014

Jetsetter57 said:

Let me know when I can take you my tank after you successfully drill yours...... key word: successfully :llama:

Six2seven · May 14, 2014

This thread needs some pics

lhernandez101 · May 14, 2014

or someone take video of chad drilling a tank lol

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Jetsetter57 · May 14, 2014

That's what I'm doing!! He's doing it Friday. I'll clear my phone off to video him doing it. It's less than twice the price of a bit for two holes, drilled by an experienced veteran! I had to go the way of the Chad.

Riblet · May 14, 2014

Is there any way to tell if a back panel is tempered or not?

xmas_one · May 14, 2014

Riblet said:

Yep, look at an LCD screen (cellphone or a laptop) through the glass while wearing polarized sunglasses. Tempered glass makes a "wavy" pattern. Look on utube, there's a bunch of videos showing how to do this.

Riblet · May 14, 2014

xmas_one said:

Thanks!

Best drilling method

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