by Jim D.

I needed to get a 2" hole drilled into the side of my refugium (through 6 mm glass) and rang up a glazier in a neighbouring town who was willing to do it at my risk (i.e. if the panel cracked he was not liable). Doing it this way was going to take two weeks and a 160 kilometre round trip to drop off and pick it up after completion.

I was inspired by a thread on Reef Central by a bloke that cut his own hole in his tank using just a Dremel tool. To save the bother and wait if I got someone else to do it, I tried it myself. I was amazed at just how easy it actual was to, and it only took around 20 minutes to make the hole.

Work slowly around the entire hole with the bit. Keep the hole wet with water to cool and lubricate.

To make the cut, you require the diamond tipped tool that comes with the tool (such as a Dremel or any similar high speed multipurpose tool) or purchase one. They look like a small ball stuck on the end of the shaft. I cut from both sides and had someone spraying water using an atomizer bottle on it the entire time. This cooled the bit and glass, also providing some lubrication and avoiding the generation of glass dust. A dam around the hole to hold in the water over the cut doesn't work very well, since the glass/water slurry will obscure your vision of the cut.

Cut through the glass slowly with the diamond bit on the tool.

Do not force the bit to cut the glass, this does not speed up the process. Just let the bit do the work and gently pass around the hole taking a small amount of glass out at a time.

Almost through the glass.

Almost through the glass.

If you have access to a Dremel or similar tool don't be afraid to have a go at drilling your own holes.

Hole completed!

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