How to Drill a Mason Jar
Drilling a mason jar requires patience. While drilling, friction between the drill bit and glass create heat. The more pressure and speed you apply to the drill bit, the greater the amount of heat generated. The uneven transfer of heat dulls the drill bit and cracks the glass you're attempting to drill. To keep heat in check, you need to apply a continuous stream of water to both the drill bit and the surface of the jar.
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Things You'll Need
- Black permanent marker
- Masking tape
- Clean rags
- Vise
- Milk crate
- 1 gallon milk jug filled with water
- Variable speed drill motor
- Diamond tipped drill bit sized for the application
- Awl
- Safety glasses
Instructions
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1
Mark the location of the hole on the Mason jar with the black permanent marker. Allow the mark to dry for 10 to 15 seconds.
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2
Form an X over the location that you marked in Step 1 with two pieces of masking tape.
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3
Wrap rags over the Mason jar, leaving the masking tape X exposed.
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4
Place the Mason jar wrapped in rags in the vise, with the masking tape X facing skyward.
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5
Tighten the vise to stabilize the Mason jar.
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6
Set the milk crate against the vise.
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7
Place the water-filled milk jug close to the vise, resting on top of the milk crate.
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8
Remove the cap of the milk jug.
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9
Secure the diamond tipped drill bit into the chuck of the drill motor.
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10
Align the awl with the masking tape X located on the Mason jar, with the point of the awl facing the water-filled milk jug.
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11
Place one hand around the backside of the milk jug, in line with the point of the awl.
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12
Push the awl into the milk jug, and leave the awl in place.
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13
Pull the awl from the milk jug, and align the stream of water with the masking tape X.
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14
While wearing safety glasses, place the tip of the diamond bit onto the masking tape, aligned with the mark you made on the Mason jar in Step 1.
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15
Hold the drill steady, exerting light pressure toward the surface of the Mason jar.
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16
Press the trigger of the drill only enough to get the diamond bit turning slowly. Don't increase the speed of the drill while drilling the hole.
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17
Lift the drill motor slightly every 10 to 15 seconds to ensure that the water is reaching the tip of the drill bit and the surface of the Mason jar.
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18
Stop drilling and adjust the milk jug to keep the water stream flowing onto the drill bit; refill the milk jug if necessary. While stopped, check the drill bit intermediately to ensure that it's warm to the touch, but not hot.
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19
After you've drilled completely through the surface of the Mason jar, remove the still spinning drill bit from the hole.
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20
Release the Mason jar from the vise.
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21
Dry the Mason jar and work area with dry rags.
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