drilling a tank

[1628mna]

has anyone ever drilled a tank? has anyone ever drilled a 90g. tank standing upright halway drained? does anybody have any tips or comments about drilling? i bought a 2 3/8 bit to drill on the back of tank, d-day is tomorrow! how far from the top can i go?



thanx in advance
mike

[Briney Dave]

I have drilled a few smaller tanks but none half full.
I used a drill press to control the angle and pressure better since I am far from coordinated.

two keys: go slow and keep the bit wet. I used fun tack goo (that blue stuff that sticks posters on walls) to make a well around the bit. Plumbers putty would be fine too.

don't get into a big hurry with the bit and pause to make sure its staying cool.

other than that, hold your breath and hope for the best.

David

[mike660r]

I would keep it 2 - 3 inches from the top. You can drill it upright with a spray bottle constantly wetting the bit. However, the bit is going to be toast once you are done. The best way is to drain the tank. Lay it flat and attach a hose to the area that is being drilled and let water contstantly trickle over it. Or, you can get some plumbers putty and make a dam around the drill area and fill it with water. Then you can drill. Just take it slow

[mike660r]

I hate to say this and jinx ya. I feel it needs to be said because it can happen. It would be better to have all of your livestock out just incase the tank cracks. I had never cracked a tank till last month. I was drilling a 55 for someone with an older bit.. 1 hour into it and snap. Just some words of advice along the lines of plan for the worse and hope for the best.

[Briney Dave]

good call Mike. I have gone higher up the tank but it was much smaller and I do NOT have experience with the bigger tanks to say its ok to be higher up.

The way my luck runs I would break it for sure if there were live stock in it.

[mike660r]

I don't like to be a negative nancy, but it can go wrong when it comes to drilling glass. I did notice that as soon as I got my hands on a brand new bit and followed their instructions on pulsing the bit up and down slowly. I was done with the holes in 20 minutes.

[Briney Dave]

thats where the drill press is so good. It lets you control the speed much easier than a hand drill and it keeps you straight (even pressured)

[CleveYank]

I wonder if small ice chips or a slush used for the cooling solution would help keep things cool enough in that putty hole wall? No ice? Add more slush.
And then if it works out you have margarita makings left over and ready to go to celebrate...or drown your sorrows if it snaps cracks or pops.

[Briney Dave]

Now that sounds like a plan LOL