Drilling Through Glass

[1234-fishy-freind]

Hi guys.
Well after a failed overflow box attempt im thinking about getting my tank drilled.
I think the base glass is toughened as it was drlled before right in the middle but i want to drill at the left hand side. Or i might drill through the back pannel.
Is it possible to drill through tanks yourself?
Any help would be appreciated.

josh

 

[cheesy feet]

As long as the glass is not tempered its fine.I have drilled 6 wholes in 3 different tanks, with no cracks.
You need a diamond glass drill bit, like this:
http/cgi.ebay.co.u...=item334ba443d6
Mark the area you want to drill, and pour a little water over the area.Tape the back so that when you break through the glass doesn't break before your completely through...Then begin drilling at an angle, at a medium pace, to get a groove in the glass; while slowly moving the drill so that you are drilling flat.Then just continue at the same pace until you get through.
The water is so that the drill bit does not overheat, but it will become cloudy as you drill, and so you can pour more on if you want...Although it's not necessary.

 

[ben1987]

i always found that drilling trough a thin bit of wood first to get a template thing worked best to start you off!

B&Q do tile coated hole saws like the one above. Ive always used them. You need to keep the drill bit cool and wet. Use the weight of the drill and really low RPM's. Do not push down! Take it slow. I spend about 15 mins on each hole. Done loads now and never had a crack or chip. I find that cordelss drill drivers are better as they are less torquey than big corded hammer drills - you deffinatly dont want to use hammer function either!

 

[cheesy feet]

Never thought of that one...Template would be much easier

 

[cheesy feet]

I just remembered andywg, or skifletch, did a guide on this I think.Had a quick look but couldn't find it on their topics.

 

[ben1987]

Never thought of that one...Template would be much easier

ive always found it best, i used to to the angle thing too. But id end up having the bit sliding everywhere.


theres a propper kit forsale online but its something daft like £60. An old bit of soft beeding does the trick!