How to Drill Holes in Stained Glass
Drilling holes in stained glass requires the use of diamond-tipped drill bit, drill press and a power drill. Cutting holes in stained glass is a challenging task, with cracking or chipping of the delicate glass under the pressure of the drill often occurring. Practicing proper drilling and friction reducing techniques on cheaper pieces of regular glass, or stained glass scraps, is highly recommended. Sprinkling water onto the glass during the drilling process aids in heat reduction, and reduces the likelihood of cracks in the stained glass.
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Things You'll Need
- Ruler
- Marker
- Modeling clay
- Clamps
- Dremel or similar drill press
- Diamond-tip drill bit
- Safety eyewear
Instructions
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1
Measure the hole cutting area. Use a permanent marker to mark the cutting area on the glass surface. Mark the hole area on both the front and back of the stained glass panel.
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2
Mold modeling clay to form a pocket around the marked cutting area.
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3
Clamp the stained glass to the cutting area securely.
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4
Fill the clay pocket with water to reduce friction from the drilling process.
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5
Drill at low speed through a quarter of the glass thickness. Remove the clay.
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6
Remove the clamps, flip the stained glass over and re-clamp it to the cutting surface.
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7
Put the modeling clay pocket on the glass and fill it with water.
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8
Drill at low speed through a quarter of the glass thickness.
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9
Remove the clamps and repeat process until the hole is cut completely though the stained glass.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Practice cutting stained glass, and water amounts required to keep project cool, on glass scraps.
Wear protective eyewear during the drilling process, in case the glass shatters.
Resources
- Photo Credit Tara Dodrill
