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need help to drill my 40 br.

Discussion in 'Buy/Sell/Trade' started by Obsessed79, Nov 1, 2013.

  1. Nov 1, 2013 #1
    Obsessed79

    Obsessed79 Inactive User

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    Upgrading from my 27 cube to a 40 br. I have never drilled a tank and it makes me quite nervous.if anybody out there is willing to help me drill it that would be awesome.i don't even own drill nor do i have the hole saw bit. Any feedback is welcome and I'm willing to compensate but on a tight budget. Would like to get this done by Sunday, the sooner the better. Thank you.
     
  2. Nov 1, 2013 #2
    mikesams05p71

    mikesams05p71 Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Its easy. Drilled my sump. Never practiced. Just set the bit on the glass and run water on the area while youre drilling. Id recommend an electric drill and do not push. I have a 3/4" bit if that helps.
     
  3. Nov 1, 2013 #3
    psulion

    psulion

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    Make a water dam or ring around the proposed hole with plumbers putty and fill with water. Put a towel or something soft inside the tank to catch the plug of glass that falls out to avoid breaking the other side. Go slow and not a lot of pressure. Let the bit do the work.
     
  4. Nov 1, 2013 #4
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    40B is an easy one to drill too. Nice thick glass. Use the above techniques (dam, water, etc). Check out a few youtube vids it's easy. +1 on cordless drill but that is really only needed for the start and end. For the middle part you can use a regular corded drill at medium speed and gentle pressure to do the majority of the cutting.

    But the most important point is when you get close to the other side. This is when you switch to the cordless drill and go as sloooooow as you can get it to run and zero pressure, so you don't crack out the glass on the other side.

    Towel under it to catch the cut out disc, and a few layers of blue painter's tape on the inside of the glass also to help hold the piece in place when you are almost all the way through but still have one section that still has glass that hasn't been cut.

    Drilled several and usually have a few chips on the inside but no cracks. Cracks are what is bad. Small chips are not horrible. Follow up with emory cloth to smooth out the sharp edges as these otherwise become stress focus points - a simple sanding pass removes this stress.
     
  5. Nov 1, 2013 #5
    mikesams05p71

    mikesams05p71 Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I meant to say corded drill. Think I typed wrong. I like a corded variable speed drill. No batteries to die during drilling lol. And if u ever get a chance you should buy the bits. Ill be ordering the 1/2 and 1" holes whenever i get a chance to order from brs again.
     
  6. Nov 1, 2013 #6
    Bigkel

    Bigkel Inactive User

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    Youtube is loaded with videos on how to. After watching them I was confident enough to drill 1 inch holes in my 125!
     
  7. Nov 1, 2013 #7
    Obsessed79

    Obsessed79 Inactive User

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    What kind and where do i get the bits? Are they expensive? And what and where do i get the best thing for the bulkheads,?
     
  8. Nov 1, 2013 #8
    mikesams05p71

    mikesams05p71 Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I got mine from bulkreefsupply.com on their site look under plumbing section. I think the bits are around $10. And bulkheads from there $5 each or so.
     
  9. Nov 1, 2013 #9
    mikesams05p71

    mikesams05p71 Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Are you wanting to drill the overflow and/or return?
     
  10. Nov 1, 2013 #10
    Obsessed79

    Obsessed79 Inactive User

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    Yes i would like to drill both. Question are the bits pretty much a one time use?
     
  11. Nov 1, 2013 #11
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    Not at all. I'm not sure on the life expectancy of them, but its probably more holes than the average hobbyist would drill.



     
  12. Nov 1, 2013 #12
    mikesams05p71

    mikesams05p71 Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Ive used mine 10 times or so...seems to be workin like normal still. Id bet someone in your area has bits. If not I could mail u my 3/4 " bit if u need
     
  13. Nov 1, 2013 #13
    jazzybio13 Ames

    jazzybio13 MBI Breeder

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    I've drilled over 20+ holes with the single bit I own ... still going strong and expect it to last a while still. I had never drilled before and was nervous as well, but found a free 10 with a crack in it on craigslist and cut the thing up! lol. I'll tell you one thing though... the bigger the easier... but also the longer it takes. so patience patience patience and little to no pressure while doing it. The only tanks I've cracked while doing this was one's I got impatient on and put too much pressure on the bit to 'hurry' the process along. (ok and those were 5g tanks too, incredibly thin glass by the way...just don't waste your time drilling a 5... oye what a head ache!).

    1-corded drill
    2-patience
    3- water dam of some sort around cut area... we used clay for bigger tanks, and submersed the tank in a tub of water for the smaller tanks.
    4- patience
    5-patience... !

    You should be fine.... DO IT THOUGH... something that's a good skill to know.

     

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