plugging a hole in a glass carboy

[zac]

I'll take batch #2 posioning, with a 70/30 split on breakage before then. I'll spot you 2 spider cracks.

Whats the ante?

 

[conpewter]

JB weld is food grade, just not clear. Would still give possible places for infection to harbor.

I agree to just toss it and buy a bucket to ferment in (if money is an issue) otherwise a better bottle (6 gal).

Now can I ask how you drill a hole in glass?

 

[BuffaloSabresBrewer]

I smashed the carboy over the OPs head. I win.

 

[Vic_Sinclair]

This is a lot of effort to 'salvage' something that's only worth $15-$20 to begin with.

If you can't swing $20 for a new carboy, I don't think brewing is in the cards...not in the near future at least.

You are getting carboys for that price where you are? All the LHBS's here in <NAME OF STATE DELETED DUE TO ANTI-HOMEBREWING LAWS> charge upwards of $30 for just a five gallon carboy.

 

[cdanprice]

Now can I ask how you drill a hole in glass?

A diamond tipped drill bit, a squirt bottle to keep it lubricated/cool, and patience. The bits aren't all that expensive, you can get them at Lowes for about $6.

 

[McKBrew]

You are getting carboys for that price where you are? All the LHBS's here in <NAME OF STATE DELETED DUE TO ANTI-HOMEBREWING LAWS> charge upwards of $30 for just a five gallon carboy.

And yet, if you were really concerned you'd delete your location out of your profile.

 

[conpewter]

Hmmm did it crack the glass or anything? You might be Ok... (maybe not..) I've never worked with glass that had a hole drilled in it.

 

[bull8042]

Anyone notice the OP hasn't returned???

Apparently his "five free hours" were up....

 

[Vic_Sinclair]

And yet, if you were really concerned you'd delete your location out of your profile.

Curses! Foiled again!

 

[fivehoursfree]

Ok, apparently I'm getting a lot of crap over here. Let me clear things up.
I tied a long peice of dental floss to the bolt, with the washer on it. I dropped the floss into the main hole, then hooked it through the smaller drilled holes with a bike wheel spoke. then pulled the bolt through. It's really not all that hard. There are no cracks in the carboy. I drilled it with a glass drill bit. It has held 2 batches with no leaks, no cracks. I am a little worried about sanitizing it though, since it is currently empty, waiting for another batch. I'll probably undo the bolts and clean it before the next batch goes it. It has also held up well even after I have moved it up and downstairs several times ( full). Sorry if anyone is disappointed that nothing dramatic has happened.

 

[bull8042]

Ok, apparently I'm getting a lot of crap over here. Let me clear things up.
I tied a long peice of dental floss to the bolt, with the washer on it. I dropped the floss into the main hole, then hooked it through the smaller drilled holes with a bike wheel spoke. then pulled the bolt through. It's really not all that hard. There are no cracks in the carboy. I drilled it with a glass drill bit. It has held 2 batches with no leaks, no cracks. I am a little worried about sanitizing it though, since it is currently empty, waiting for another batch. I'll probably undo the bolts and clean it before the next batch goes it. It has also held up well even after I have moved it up and downstairs several times ( full). Sorry if anyone is disappointed that nothing dramatic has happened.

Nah, no one is disappointed at all. Everyone was just having a bit of fun.... unfortunately seemingly at your expense. Trust me, it was all in good fun.
Glad it has worked out for you. But you still might consider replacing that thing at the first available opportunity with a Better Bottle. Just to be on the safe side.

 

[fivehoursfree]

I understand. It just will pain me to throw away a perfect GLASS carboy, that I destroyed years ago because I was ignorant and wanted a cool looking fishtank (the fish died too)