How to Glass in a Bulkhead

Pipe bulkheads are installed into glass products such as aquariums for the installation of pipes for use with sumps and filters. When a bulkhead is installed in a glass object, the drilling of holes for the pipe fittings can damage and in some cases destroy the engineered integrity of the glass object. Properly cooled diamond drill hole saws are usually used to cut holes in glass to ensure the glass is not damaged during the cutting of a bulkhead hole.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Electric drill
  • Diamond tipped hole saw
  • Bulkhead piping
  • Water
  • Permanent marker
  • Modeling clay
  • Masking tape
  • Towel
  • Scissors
  • Sandpaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the exterior diameter of the pipe bulkhead using a tape measure; match a hole saw to the size of the hole to be drilled to a diamond tipped hole saw. Mark the location of the pipe bulkhead to be installed on the glass object with a permanent marker.

    • 2

      Cut pieces of masking or painter's tape and place them on the rear of the glass area to be drilled. Mold modeling clay into a dam attached to the side of the aquarium or glass object around 1 inch wider than the hole to be drilled and ½ inch in height. Fill the clay dam with water acting as a coolant during drilling.

    • 3

      Place a towel on the interior of the glass object to cushion the piece of glass to be drilled when it falls and absorbs used coolant. Lightly push the hole saw against the marked area to be drilled and turn on the drill, pushing lightly to drill through the glass.

    • 4

      Sand the edges of the drilled hole with a piece of fine sandpaper. This avoids damage and dangers caused by sharp glass edges.

    • 5

      Remove the towel from the interior of the tank and rinse with water to remove any glass pieces that can clog filters or cut fish in a glass aquarium.