jvision Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Tonight I had some free time, so I decided to drill some tanks for a project I'm working on. Here's how it went. I started with 6 tanks (29, 25, 2x20L, 2x15) I would have loved to use a drill press, but the tanks were too deep. So, I had to make a jig. I added a little bit of vegetable oil to keep things cool and stop the spread of the glass dust Then, time to drill!! It only took about 25 min to do do all 6 tanks, plus I drilled a couple pots for my Apistos I'm setting these tanks with overflows, so here's the plumbing bits in - will add some silicone to make it water-tight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceturf Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Showoff :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Details maybe on the bit, speed, etc. would help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted April 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 I used a 35mm diamond bit that I bought on eBay - a set of 3 cost me about $25 shipped. The drill I was using was a variable speed w 3 settings; I used the lowest setting at about 1/2 speed. Not really sure what else you'd like to know - it really is _that_ easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hustler Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Last ones i did were princess auto bits...... I dont know how you stayed so cool..... Took me 3 rum n cokes to even make the putty pool on my 180 gallons and once that grinding started i had 4-5 min of what felt like me holing a grenade that was about to pop LOL.... < see im laughing about it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc_Polit Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Hey J, How was the "chip out" on the back side of the holes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted April 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Most people recommend clamping a piece of wood to the back side to keep it from cracking, but I didn't. Except for the last tank, they all dropped a nice little cookie on the other side. The last tank (maybe used up the bit, maybe was a little anxious and pressed too hard) chipped a bit on the back side, but the hole is still nice and round. I don't think there's much to worry about - just have to be careful when I tighten the fittings together, and maybe use a little more silicone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc_Polit Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Cool. Thanks for the photos and details. :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 That's excellent Jason.....thanks for posting this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JORG Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 Thanks Jason very good info :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted April 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 I just drilled one more tank for a friend, and that did it for the bit - it's done. I'm wondering if I would have gotten any further if I'd spent the $80 at Rona... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hustler Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 the ones I did with the princess bits with 1/2 inch glass were good for 4 holes, then you could see the bear steel on the rim and it didnt sound right. I would think the $80 bits may give a few more but for the price Ide stick with an assortment of cheepOs For the chipping inside I was told to buff it or sand it down so there are no stress points that could cause a fracture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelnstuff Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 oh princess auto tools... so low quality, but they are usualy just good enough to get the job done for dirt cheap hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Posted June 16, 2011 Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 I also found drilling a tank to be very simple and also used the Princess Auto diamond bit. I did 2 or 3 test holes (on old tank I was throwing away) and 3 holes on the main tank, no real sign of wear on the bit. The only down side to the Princess Auto is that it comes without the central hub or spindle; which you have to buy separate (or may match yours if you already have a hole saw for wood). The extra piece was also cheap but the problem is that it is not a tight fit to the bit. If you are not careful this leaves the bit not centered so it doesn't spin in a clean circle. It only takes a half minute to 'visually' center it and retighten so not a real problem, just something to be aware of ahead of time. Darrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenarr Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Is drilling the bottom of the tanks any different than the sides? The reason I ask, people say the bottoms may be tempered glass. How would you tell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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