I just came across JF2381's glass drilling post.Great post!!! I was reading through all the great info and thought I would share a few things I do when drilling. I find that using a simple jig eliminates the difficulty in starting the core bit. I usually use a piece of 1/2" thick polymer kitchen cutting board but misplaced it. Used scrap 1/2 plywood in this pic. I drill a 1 3/4 hole in the scrap material with a Forsner bit, the same size as the core bit. I use 1 3/4" for 1" bulkheads or Uniseals.
In this case I used two dampened towels to help secure the plywood and just held it with one hand and drilled with the other intil I get about 1/16 of an inch deep groove in the glass.
The diamond core bit fits perfectly into the guide hole.
I squirt a little coolant on the glass before I start. I have also used clamps with rubber boots but you have to be very careful not to put too much pressure on the glass.
I use this stuff and bought a rubber dam that works very well. Suction holds it to the glass and the bits are supposed to last longer using the coolant than water alone.
It's a concentrate and mixed at 50:1 water to coolant concentrate.
This is a bit blurry but you can see the start of the hole after using the plywood guide. (About 1/16" deep)
Ready to drill
This drill has a centering bubble on the back end so I can keep it pretty perpendicular to the glass. A portable drill press attachment would be better though.
I use salt buckets to catch the glass and coolant when the hole is completed.
Hole complete...Not my best but this bit is a little worn. It has seen alot of use.
Two holes completed in the new 30 gal breeder frag tank.
Again, Great post JF I would like to see how you cut the side section of your tank and the completed overflow.
In this case I used two dampened towels to help secure the plywood and just held it with one hand and drilled with the other intil I get about 1/16 of an inch deep groove in the glass.
The diamond core bit fits perfectly into the guide hole.
I squirt a little coolant on the glass before I start. I have also used clamps with rubber boots but you have to be very careful not to put too much pressure on the glass.
I use this stuff and bought a rubber dam that works very well. Suction holds it to the glass and the bits are supposed to last longer using the coolant than water alone.
It's a concentrate and mixed at 50:1 water to coolant concentrate.
This is a bit blurry but you can see the start of the hole after using the plywood guide. (About 1/16" deep)
Ready to drill
This drill has a centering bubble on the back end so I can keep it pretty perpendicular to the glass. A portable drill press attachment would be better though.
I use salt buckets to catch the glass and coolant when the hole is completed.
Hole complete...Not my best but this bit is a little worn. It has seen alot of use.
Two holes completed in the new 30 gal breeder frag tank.
Again, Great post JF I would like to see how you cut the side section of your tank and the completed overflow.
