Drilling old tank for sump?

MDB_fish_newbie

MDB_fish_newbie

Members
Well can't say I have ever drilled a tank before....... But I'm pretty skilled with a drill and could probably get a 5g bucket going with a siphon to keep the bit lubricated. If that sounds ridiculous to anyone let me know, but I believe its reasonable hehehe. Sounds like something fun to do on a Saturday, and I'll have all the experts there to tell me what I'm doing wrong.
 
chriscoli

chriscoli

Administrator
When you say 1" drill bit, do you mean that you want a drill bit that creates a hole for a 1" bulkhead?
 
CSnyder00

CSnyder00

Bearded Wonder
I still may have it. I use diamond bits to drill tile all the time. I haven't ventured out to my tool bins yet. Trying to study for Organic Chemistry exam tomorrow.
 
CSnyder00

CSnyder00

Bearded Wonder
I have 2", 1 1/8", 1", and 1/4". Nothing between 2" and 1 1/8". If any of those work, let me know. Otherwise, let me know if I can bring anything else to help you. I have lots of tools including corded and cordless drills and lots of extension cords.

For demonstration purposes, we could do a tank drilling on an old leaky or cracked tank someone has lying around. That way if we break it during demo, no one would care. We could even let people try it to get a feel. It might be handy to do an old one first before doing Mason's if we can get a volunteer tank to use.
 
dogofwar

dogofwar

CCA Members
Great idea! Usually for one of our winter meetings we have members do short demo's and talks (as travel could be iffy / treacherous for bringing in an out-of-town speaker). A tank drilling demo would be awesome!

Matt

CSnyder00 said:
I have 2", 1 1/8", 1", and 1/4". Nothing between 2" and 1 1/8". If any of those work, let me know. Otherwise, let me know if I can bring anything else to help you. I have lots of tools including corded and cordless drills and lots of extension cords.

For demonstration purposes, we could do a tank drilling on an old leaky or cracked tank someone has lying around. That way if we break it during demo, no one would care. We could even let people try it to get a feel. It might be handy to do an old one first before doing Mason's if we can get a volunteer tank to use.
Click to expand...
 
CSnyder00

CSnyder00

Bearded Wonder
You need lots of room and soft things for the real thing. But doing a demo in a parking lot would be fine if we were using an old tank that didn't matter.
 
Frank Cowherd

Frank Cowherd

Global Moderators
Staff member
Well, if you get a piece of clay (or Play-doh might work) and make a pancake out of it. Then put a hole in the middle which you keep expanding until you get a ring. You put this ring around the place you want to drill out the glass for the bulkhead. Then you pour water or antifreeze into this ring. ANd then you drill the hole and the water keeps the drill cool and allows the ground glass to get out of the way.

I think you could do it in the parking lot if you have a steady hand and a good drill and drill bit. You only need a couple pounds of pressure to get the bit to drill through the glass, but don't force it. It should take at least 10 minutes or more.
 
chriscoli

chriscoli

Administrator
I personally like to use a lot more water, but I've heard of people doing it with the dam instead. The guy from jehmco told me the more you can flush the grit away, the faster it goes. With my drill press and a fresh bit, I can do 5 to 15 min for thin glass or 3 to 5 min for thick glass. Thick glass is MUCH easier to drill. I did it once with a regular drill and I bought a press. Of course, at the time I had 55 or so tanks to drill.
 
Frank Cowherd

Frank Cowherd

Global Moderators
Staff member
I also use running water, but I have used dams. Both work, but in a parking lot running water is hard to come by. It would be fun to have a demo tomorrow.

Not sure why thin is slower than thick. Probably the operator is going more slowly with the thin glass to prevent cracking the glass, but I would also guess that vibrations may have something to do with it. The thick glass is more rigid and for that reason might be easier to cut through.
 
CSnyder00

CSnyder00

Bearded Wonder
Both of you are correct. You need lubrication, so a dam does okay, but fresh water is better. It's the same for cutting tile. A wet saw with a closed compartment for water is fine, but a wet saw with a pump that you can place into a fresh water source like a 5 gallon bucket of clean water works much better and makes nicer cuts. Same deal. I've used both.

As for the demo tomorrow, we would still need an old tank that someone doesn't want anymore. I don't feel comfortable doing a demo on another person's tank. We wouldn't have to go outside to do the demo either unless we aren't allowed to get the floor wet. Just let me know ahead of time so I can bring some tools.

Also, on the topic of thick vs thin glass, both theories are correct. People tend to be much more careful with thin glass, and it does vibrate a bunch, making it much harder to drill. Try drilling a 1/4 inch sheet of plywood and then drill a 5 in x 6 inch post. The post is much "easier" to drill through and the bore is much cleaner.
 
chriscoli

chriscoli

Administrator
Please no mess in the cafeteria. I'm the one who made the reservation, so I'm the first they'll yell at!o_O Also it's loud. I always wear hearing and eye protection.

As for the glass thickness difference....I originally assumed operator bias (and it may still be) but thick glass is like drilling through butter. So much more pleasant.
 
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