Help.........Drilling holes!

[Kevin11d]

I'm planning to build a central filter system with 6-7 tanks. My biggest concern is i don't know how to drill the holes into the tanks. Do i need a massive machine to do the job or i can just use a drill connected with a glass cutter to make the hole.

Did anyone drill their own holes before? What kind of equipments do i need?

Thanks
Kevin ;D

[jeep]

Hey Kevin,

Try reading this link. Should provide some answers...

Brian

P.S. I've heard of others using a hand drill, but I'd recommend a drill press...

[Kevin11d]

hey Jeep.

That was a quick reply. ;D ;D

I heard some people use only the hand drill too, but i think there's a bigger chance to crack the glass.

I went to a glass cutting store and they want to charge me $40 per hole!!!! :bomb: :bomb:

Thanks
Kevin

[jaydoc]

Go to the photo gallery section of the forum and find the string "Fishroom of Discus-KC" It is 18 pages long but near the end he gives step by step instruction with pictures about drilling tanks. I am sure he would be happy to talk to you also

[jeep]

Sorry Kevin,

I thought I pasted the link. Here it is...

http://forum.simplydiscus.com//index.php?board=11;action=display;threadid=14556

HTH,

Brian

[Jason]

here's kind of an overview to give you a rough idea.

http://www.superiordiscus.com/articles/bulkhead_tank.html

Kevin: PM me.
Jimmy.

[Murphy]

Kevin and Jimmy I was just at Big Al's in Brampton and they wanted $120.00 to drill a hole .....ouch!!! If you know of where I can also get it done, or have any info. Please let me know. Peter

[MonkeeFish]

i dont noe if this would work but im juss thinking if u drill two larger holes in two pieces of wood and clamp them to ur tank, one inside and one side maybe dat would be a good enuff support or something to not crack the glass. and u can use Jack's way to drill the hole , using the clay to make a circle and pour water into it and juss drill slowly

[fshngal]

Kevin,

We drilled our own tanks for the bulkheads and this is what we did --

1. Measured and marked the location for the hole.
2. Filled the tank with water to the rim.
3. Kept a steady stream of water on the glass drill bit and glass while drilling.
4. Drilled with glass drill bit using hand drill with side handle to hold drill steady.
5. Keep constant light pressure on the drill and within 5 minutes had completed hole. When you are close to the through point, slack off on the pressure a bit so that you don't clamshell the inside of the glass.

We even drilled tanks in place on the racks with this method and it worked fine. The Diamond drill bits can be purchased for about $60 maybe less. We have drilled 20 holes with the same bit.

Fshngal

[Jean]

I have drilled tanks both ways now.

IMO a hand drill works fine as does a drill press.

To determine... if you are alone you can't drill a 75 gal on a drill press too easily. If you have a bunch of say,,,, 29 gals, no biggie to do on a press alone.
You look at the number of tanks, the size of them and help you have... then you make that call.

I did not use the filled tank approach. I used plumbers putty with the ring of water and went at it. The key is to go slowly.
I didn't have any tanks break.

The job is easily done, and I surely would not pay the $ you are talking(crazy Murphy eh?) about to have it done. Get a bit at Jehmco and go for it!

Honestly, the best thing I did in my fishroom to make life better, hands down!!!

You can pm me if you have any questions anytime! I can go into more detail if needed.

Good LucK!!!

Jean ;D 8)

[Kevin11d]

Where can i buy the diamond drill bit. I tried Home Depot, but the largest size they have is only 1/2". Most people use 1" pipe right?

Thanks

Kevin

[fshngal]

Kevin,

www.jehmco.com they are under $60

Fshngal

[daninthesand]

Kevin.

Forget Jehmco. They are really pricey and in the US.

Go to http://www.crlaurence.com

You can phone them (toll free) and ask for prices on the drill bits you want. And they are located in Toronto!

No customs waits, duty and all that delay from the US.

I have ordered from them and they were excellent and very fast.

Daniel

example pricing:
Drill size JEHMCO CRLawrence
7/8" US$51.75 (CAN$68.57) CAN$42.18
1 1/8" US$56.00 (CAN$74.21) CAN$48.60
1 1/2" US$68.00 (CAN$90.11) CAN$59.88
1 3/4" US$78.50 (CAN$104.02) CAN$74.17

[alex_m]

Hi,

go with jehmco.

Also I am with Jean-use a putty.

Don't press too hard.

alex

[Kevin11d]

Do you guys know where's Jehmco located?

Kevin

[daninthesand]

Kevin, I think they are in new jersey. According to the area code of their fax number anyway.... whereas, there's a CRLawrence about 20 minutes away from you :)

Daniel