Re: [APD] Re: Drilling tanks

["S. Hieber" <shieber at yahoo_com>]

You can get even cheaper ones at Home Depot. they're fine
for acrylic, not so hot for glass. Besides not cutting
glass well (thus the need for the carbide) they often run
pretty far off center and aren't always perpendicular to
the shaft, both of which tend to create wobble, rough
holes, and very tired hands.

You get what you pay for; it's an inexpensive way to go.


--- Chuck H <grendel at usit_net> wrote:
> 
> I don't think anyone has mentioned steel glass drilling
> bits, so I 
> thought I'd just toss it out there so folks will know
> they don't 
> *have* to drop the big bucks on diamond bits.  Steel bits
> are about 
> 25-30% the cost of diamond ones, and steel lasts longer. 
> The caveat 
> to steel bits is that it takes *much* longer to drill the
> hole -- 
> those who cannot handle tedious tasks need not apply. 
> You also have 
> to use a carbide compound, which adds to the initial cost
> a little.  
> For cooling, it was recommended to me to use a 1:1 mix of
> water and 
> antifreeze.  Building a ring dam out of clay as Scott
> mentioned (or 
> buy a plastic one) is a good idea and will make keeping
> the bit lubed 
> up and cool much easier.
> 
> As for the dangers of drilling glass, I think anyone
> wanting to DIY 
> should be prepared to deal with the very real possibility
> of a broken 
> panel.  But if care is taken, it is quite possible to do
> safely and 
> without dire consequence down the road.  If you have any
> doubts, 
> though, let a pro do it.  After all, the objective is to
> drill the 
> tank, not "drill" yourself. :)
> 
> Also, don't skimp on the bulkhead fittings!  Get good
> ones and keep 
> extra gaskets on hand 'cause you never know. 
> 
> BTW, if anyone is interested, I got my bits and other
> related stuff 
> at Aquatic Eco-Systems:
> 
>
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/6899
> --
> Chuck Huffine
> Knoxville, Tennessee
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Aquatic-Plants mailing list
> Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
> http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/aquatic-plants


=====
S. Hieber

-  -   -   -   -   -   -   -
Amano Returns
to the AGA Annual Convention
Nov 12, 13 & 14, 2004 -- Crystal City, Virginia

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