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Drilling A Tank


zoopkamol
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I always end up having to get everything online, as I can't find what I need locally.

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looking to drill my 90 gal bowfront

looking for bulkheads and diamond hole saws.

looking for best price for them.

need 1.25" hole saw bit for the 1/2" bulkhead

thinking big box stores for hole saw but bulkheads are eluding me

any help would help

Bulk heads - I've always ended up ordering through J&L aquatics (wife hates hearing that I need to order something from them $15 piece becomes a $500 order of stuff I really really need).

Though Edmonton should have a few water supply stores that will have all the plumbing and fixtures you need. Just go in knowing what you need these guys are used to dealing with contractors and will get a glazed look if you start talking aquariums.

Drilling - ugh do NOT skimp on this. I've drilled a few dozen tanks.

The first piece of advice I can give you is to avoid the $3 bits from over seas. They are cheap and they will work... eventually.

I cheaped out once and bought 5 of those cheapies to do a 220g (expecting to burn one+ out with each hole). It took me almost an hour to drill one hole and the second bit was useless by that time. Cutting the second hole I ended up cracking the pane.

A $25? bit will save you a ton of headaches and time. 5-10 minutes a hole with a high end bit. Instead of Big Box stores check with local saw sharpening services or trade-a-bit facilities you can often get a reconditioned bit for less through them.

The second piece of advice I can give you is be liberal with the cooling water. Wrap a towel or something else around the hole to keep as much water as possible at the cut site, and replenish it frequently to prevent warping or cracking of the panes.

Best of luck

Edited by AccidentalAquarist
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When I drill, I usually try to do it somewhere that I can run a hose on the cut. And I made a jig, which made starting the holes WAY easier.

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https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.1-38-inch-wet-dry-diamond-hole-saw.1000652656.html

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/5-pc-diamond-hole-saw-kit/A-p8139867e

I think the pack from princess auto was on sale a few weeks ago for 35$. No idea on the quality. I have the one from homedepot. I've done a lot of drills with it through granite. It works well.

I agree with Jvision, you want to make yourself a hole guide, don't free hand it.

Edited by Iceturf
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I bought the Princess Auto set once... the largest bit was just too small for a 3/4" bulkhead (had to widen the hole a bit w. a Dremel). Home Depot is handy b/c you can pick it up right away, but I always went online to save some money.

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A few tricks for ya. As I have literally have cored thousands of holes in my past life as a stone mason.

-Buy good bits

-Cut a hole through a scrap piece of plywood with your coring bit, then clamp it this jig to the glass.

-Use lots of water (heat is your enemy)

-lift the bit frequently so water flows into the groove you are cutting.

-Let the bit do the work, not muscle. (Overheating the bit causes the abrasives to glaze over) Unglaze them by drilling into an old grinding wheel off a bench grinder or cinder block)

-Once you get the whole started remove the wooden jig.

-If you are working in a flat position, and can't run water continuously, place a a roll of masking tape or other cardboard tube around the hole area, this will allow a little water lake to be formed.

-If possible, keep the bit loose in the drills chuck, (or use a clutch system drill) so that if you get off axis and the bit binds, it will spin in the chuck. This will help reduce some of the torque placed on the glass potentially causing a break.

Hope this helps.

Jay

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+1 to Jayba's reply

I may have to try his deglazing tip

One thing I forgot to mention in my first reply. And it is important.

No matter what, resist the urge to wipe debris away from the cut site with your hand!!

I do it all the time, drilling wood, stone etc. It's second nature to wipe the hole clean to see it. But with glass DO NOT do this unless you want stitches.

Use emery cloth or the like to round the edges before touching

AA

Edited by AccidentalAquarist
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