How to Drill Through Glass
Glass is a versatile material for craft projects. It can be used for jewelry, ornaments, wind chimes, sun catchers and decorative lighting projects. In order to accomplish some of these projects, you may need to drill one or more holes in the glass. At first glance, drilling holes in glass may seem like something that can only be done with highly-specialized tools. However, if you learn the appropriate techniques, you can drill through glass at home.
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Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Styrofoam block at least 1-inch thick
- Pan or container
- Glass
- Safety glasses
- Diamond drill bits
- Power drill or drill press
Instructions
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1
Place the Styrofoam block in the bottom of the container and place the glass on the Styrofoam. The purpose of the Styrofoam block is to prevent the drill from punching through the container once it has gone completely through the glass.
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2
Fill the container with just enough water to cover both the Styrofoam and the glass. The water acts as both a lubricant and a coolant. This greatly reduces the risk of the glass chipping or breaking during the drilling process.
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3
Place the diamond bit into your drill press or power drill.
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4
Place the tip of the drill bit on the glass and drill in bursts, using only slight pressure against the glass. If your drill is capable of variable RPM (rotations per minute) settings, it is best to start at a lower RPM. Too much pressure or too high of a RPM speed will shorten the life of the bit, and create excess friction and excess heat. These will all greatly increase the chances of breaking the glass.
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Drill in short bursts until you drill completely through the glass. Once you have finished drilling, remove the glass from the container and dry it off. Use care when drying it in the event that any jagged edges remain.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are using a power drill, reduce the chances of the bit skipping by making a template board--a small piece of wood, plastic or even cardboard that has a hole the same size as the one you wish to drill. Placing it over the area you wish to drill will keep the bit moving around too much. Wear leather gloves to reduce your chances of being cut or scratched if the glass breaks. Figuring out the proper balance between drill pressure and speed can be tricky. Practice on a piece of scrap glass.
Always use extreme care when working with electrical equipment near water.
