Well that must have been tempered!!

[Quatro]

Work was getting rid of a display case and throwing out the glass.  I needed a piece with a hole in it so I took it.  Started drilling a few minutes ago and it was going fine for the first minute.  Then all of a sudden the whole sheet (about 4' by 3') disintegrated into gravel sized pieces.  I didn't know what to do so I burst out laughing.  Even now it sounds like rice krispies behind me.   

[Fishnut]

Hahahaha...oops!  I hope it's not going to be too much to clean up!

[Quatro]

Cleanup was a pain.  It happened on carpet so I had to pickup most of it by hand.  Dozens of pin pricks in my hand now.  And then carefully vacuuming the area.  I believe most of it is gone now but will vacuum some more just in case.

[Quatro]

Son of a.....  It just happened again.  This time I was drilling the side of a 20gal tank and BOOM.  It shattered.  I have 5x 20gals that I have drilled myself with no problems, one I just finished 10min ago.  This is just not my week.

[Dekker500]

There are some simple (though not foolproof) tests for tempered glass... before you drill any more you might want to try some

http://www.salt-city.org/showthread.php?9542-How-to-tell-if-glass-is-tempered.


Another way is to use polarized glasses to look at your tank (rotate the glasses around until you see visual effects while looking through your tank).

If you go to 3d movies, keep a set of glasses for experimentation (Bring it back next visit for recycling)

[veron]

Display cases and glass shelves are of course tempered. [safety code]
google tank brand to see of sides are tempered. most tanks have tempered bottoms.