How to Cut Holes in Glass Bowls

An electric drill with a diamond bit and lubricant is all you need to cut a hole in a glass bowl.

In the craft world, repurposing everyday items is a common strategy to create the unexpected at little or no cost. Drilling holes in a glass bowl can be challenging, but by going slowly and using the right tools, you can make a hole that is smooth and useful for attaching the bowl to other items.

Things You'll Need

• Goggles
• Work gloves
• Styrofoam block
• Electric drill
• Diamond or diamond core bits, rounded
• Water or other coolant

Instructions

1. Place a block of Styrofoam on a work bench or other solid surface, then place the bowl on the block and add about 1/4 inch of water to the bowl. This is necessary to keep your drill bits cool and prevent damage to both the bits and your bowl. Alternatively, lubricate your bit with wax-based or oil-based lubricant.

2. Don your goggles and work gloves, and attach your drill bit to the drill. For holes 1/4-inch or less, use a regular rounded diamond bit. For larger holes, use a rounded diamond core tip.

3. Start the drill, and very slowly touch the bit to the glass through the water. Use a low RPM setting to begin with, roughly 2,500 RPM for rounded diamond bits. However, for larger holes, start drilling even slower. Keep pressure on the drill as light as possible without allowing it to wobble—the harder you press, the faster the drill will go. Slowly increase the speed and pressure only if necessary to penetrate the glass.

4. Ease off pressure on the drill as you begin to drill through the bowl. The final thin layer may crack easily or chip the glass as the bit exits, so for a smooth finish allow the bit to do the work. Alternatively, drill only halfway through the glass, flip it over, and drill from the other side

Tips & Warnings

• Add more lubrication often to keep your bit cool. Heat from friction will damage the bit and may crack your glass bowl.

• Be sure to wear eye and hand protection. Glass can shatter easily and send shards flying at high speed. Glasses are not enough protection for the eyes; use goggles that seal your eyes completely. If the bit begins to change color, there is too much friction, so slow down and use more lubrication.

References

• Drill Glass: How to Drill Holes In Glass
• Beading Times: Drilling Holes In Glass or Gems