Help With Glass Drilling

[Sea Turtle]

I am concidering drilling a hole in my 80 gal glass tank for an overflow. I currently have a hang on overflow box 1200 gal/hr. Is this something you recomend doing and if so can I do it with the special bit. In other words, do I have to have the drill mounted so that it doesn't move? Does it have to be professionaly done?

 

[BigC]

Diamond/Carbide hole saws are best for the job, material/glass needs to be kept wet at all times. The way I drill holes in glass at work is to have a water hose running constantly over the material drill half way theough one side then turn the material over and drill the rest if the way through. The drill is in a stock with a handle on the side to move the drill up and down. These drill bits are expensive so if your worried about taking on such a task then I would recommend getting it professionally done. Buying a drill bit might set you back $40-$50 so I'm pretty sure you can get it drilled professionally for less than that.
Regards
BigC

 

[Sea Turtle]

Diamond/Carbide hole saws are best for the job, material/glass needs to be kept wet at all times. The way I drill holes in glass at work is to have a water hose running constantly over the material drill half way theough one side then turn the material over and drill the rest if the way through. The drill is in a stock with a handle on the side to move the drill up and down. These drill bits are expensive so if your worried about taking on such a task then I would recommend getting it professionally done. Buying a drill bit might set you back $40-$50 so I'm pretty sure you can get it drilled professionally for less than that.
Regards
BigC

Would you recomend that I do this or is the hang on box fine?

 

[BigC]

It's not a job for the faint hearted. Personally if I were you either stick wth what you've got or have it done by a professional.
but if you think your up for it.
Regards
BigC

 

[andywg]

Drilling a tank is easy. All you need are the right drill bits (around $8-10 delivered from Ebay) and a normal drill.

Use a steady hand, don't push too hard and take your time. There's no need to flip the glass over or anything.

Once you do a couple you will wonder what the fuss is about. If you are unsure, get the drill bits and an off cut of glass to practice on.

 

[SkiFletch]

Drilling a tank is easy. All you need are the right drill bits (around $8-10 delivered from Ebay) and a normal drill.

Use a steady hand, don't push too hard and take your time. There's no need to flip the glass over or anything.

Once you do a couple you will wonder what the fuss is about. If you are unsure, get the drill bits and an off cut of glass to practice on.

Agreed, the ebay bits are great for this and as Andy said, about $8-10 delivered. Sure they won't last forever, but enough for a handful of holes, and that's all you need . After doing 6 holes myself, I'd say drilling is very easy. Like BigC said, just keep the bit wet, and go SLOW. It took me 30 mintues to drill a hole. I probably could have done it faster, but why rush and screw things up. My one tip... Tape over the backside of the hole so that when you break through and finish the cut the glass piece doesnt fall through and make a mess

 

[Musho3210]

just make sure before you drill you double check that its not tempered glass.

 

[BigC]

just make sure before you drill you double check that its not tempered glass.

Excellent....Overlooked and revelant comment.