want to buy/borrow diamond hole saws

bauerbach · 10-26-2005, 06:16 PM

specificly 3 1/4" and 2 5/8" bits. either or. problem is I have the rest of the week off, so this is my last good chance to drill my tank. but like a dummy I have everything but a hole saw.

I may attempt to do it with a dremel... but hole saw seems to be preferable. obviously being now, its too late to buy it off ebay and get it here in time so Im seeing if anyone has one for rent or whatever.

I would just have it drilled at a store, but its a setup tank; and they all want a week to do it... Id rather not stick all my stuff in a bucket for a week.

bauerbach · 10-26-2005, 06:17 PM

or if anyone knows of a store in the atlanta area that sells diamond bits that big and not 80$ each; thatd be helpful too.

bauerbach · 10-26-2005, 06:33 PM

nevermind Im just going to go the dremel route, off to sears to get the stuff. thanks for looking.

mojo · 10-26-2005, 10:50 PM

I used a dremel with a diamond bit recently, and have some tips. Use the router attachment if you have one - it'll stabilize the dremel.

I ended up measuring out the outside diameter of my router attachment, adding the size of my hole, and cutting a larger circle out of scrap acrylic with a variable hole cutter. So my 1 3/4" hole ended up being a template of 3 3/4" (or whatever) and clamped that to the glass. I ended up with a perfect circle and it only took about 10 mins extra work.

Oh, and be sure to pick up a handful of dremel bits - you're going to need several. IIRC, Lowe's had them for ~$4, half the price of Home Depot.

bauerbach · 10-27-2005, 12:37 AM

great idea; I was reffered to walmart for the bits; they sell 2 packs of a ball and tapered bit for like 6$ apparently; Ill get a few and return what I dont use.

the guide is a great idea though; that would make it easier. I have the router attachment as well. Ill grab a regular hole saw and cut some scrap acrylic with it for the guide. thanks.

mojo · 10-27-2005, 12:43 AM

I might have already been clear, but just in case - I used the scrap acrylic as a guide so that the router attachment rides inside the guide, not the bit itself. It takes a little measuring to figure out exactly how big the guide hole needs to be, and will be an odd size, which is why you need an adjustable hole saw (something like this) to make the template.

Good luck. Take some pics and/or let us know how it works out for you!

bauerbach · 10-27-2005, 11:04 AM

ah; not sure if that would work too well for me; one of the holes Im drilling its 3 1/4" by itself; start adding 2 inches or so for the routher attachment on top of that and Im not sure they make a bit that big lol.

you dont think itd work with the guide on the bit? might melt the acrylic perhaps.

mojo · 10-27-2005, 11:09 AM

Umm, it melted the glass if you don't keep enough water on it. It would surely melt the acrylic!

I'm positive they make bits big enough - mine goes to 6.5", and it's the small one.

Alternatively, mark the glass somehow - magic marker or whatever - using the inside of your bulkhead fitting's gasket. At least you'd have something to follow.

Just go slow and be prepared to change bits every 1" or so of progress.

bauerbach · 10-28-2005, 09:07 PM

well I shoulda read this before, but I didnt; I used the inside of the threaded ring to make a guide. but common sense didnt account for the threads; so my holes were a tad smaller than they needed to be, spent a few hours grinding them bigger. but ended up fine, so all is good. I have 1 more hole; Ill use the gasket this time.

I manages a savko sch80 1.5" and 2" bulkhead hole plus alot of grinding with 1 bit; though its definitly spent at this point. however I think thats pretty good value for the money. no pics yet; should have some tomarrow. its all coming together nicely, got my horizontal overflow box ready to go; sumps ready, plumbing and stand all accounted for. tomarrow I drill the last hole; glue in the overflow, and hopefully get the plumbing all setup so sunday its ready for water.