Re: [Killietalk] Drilling 10 gallon tanks: some are tempered glass !

[Ken Simolo <Simolo at chem_chem.rochester.edu>]

I have drilled over 30 ten gallon tanks with no problems (and over 
100 tanks of other sizes).  Most were Perfecto although some were 
used tanks of unknown origin.  Since these are all of thin glass, I 
support them from the underside when drilling and use a good diamond 
drill bit.  When I used a cheap diamond-coated drill bit, I would 
start breaking tanks after 4 or so tanks drilled.  Since I started 
using a good drill bit (diamond impregnated epoxy? core bit, 
purchased through Jim Robinson), I have not broken any.

By the way, the bottoms of lots of tanks are tempered glass!

Ken



>I believe that all the cheap 10 gallon tanks are tempered. I think you
>can tell by the weight, as tempered glass is much thinner and therefore
>lighter. Smaller tanks are less likely to be tempered because the
>thinnest grade of regular glass is strong enough. I've heard of a lot of
>success drilling 2 1/2 and 5 gallons, but a lot of problems drilling 10's.
>
>Dennis
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