How to Use a Glass Drill Bit
The process of drilling a hole in glass is unlike drilling into other types of material. When drilling standard material, the drill bit cuts the material from the hole. A diamond-tipped drill bit used on glass, however, grinds the glass from the area to create a hole. Drilling with the diamond drill bit creates heat; the heat generated can cause the glass to fracture. Therefore, you need to use water to lubricate the drill bit to reduce the amount of heat generated during the drilling process.
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Things You'll Need
- Masking tape
- Modeling clay
- Safety glasses
- Cold water
- Variable speed drill
- Diamond-tipped drill bit
- Clean dry rags
Instructions
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1
Overlap two pieces of masking tape to create an X over the area where you need to drill the hole through the glass. The masking tape will keep the diamond tipped drill bit from "wandering away" from the hole location.
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2
Form a dam at least three times the diameter of the hole you are drilling on the surface of the glass. Roll the clay between your hands to form a clay rope 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Press the clay onto the surface of the glass. Make sure the ends of the clay are pressed together to form a structure that will hold water.
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3
Put on your safety glasses.
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4
Pour the cold water into the dam you created on the surface of the glass.
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5
Insert the arbor of the diamond-tipped drill bit into the chuck of the drill motor. Lock the chuck tightly around the arbor to secure the bit.
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6
Place the tip of the diamond drill bit onto the surface of the glass, with the center of the drill bit aligned with the center of the hole marked on the surface of the glass.
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7
Tilt the drill toward you to angle the drill bit slightly to the surface of the glass.
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8
Slowly pull the trigger of the drill motor to start the drill bit spinning. Keep the drill bit spinning below 500 rpm to reduce the heat buildup.
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9
Stop drilling occasionally and check the temperature of the drill bit and the water. The drill bit should be warm, but not hot. Add additional water to the dam if the water gets hot.
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10
Continue drilling until you drill through the glass.
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11
Remove the clay dam and dry the glass with a clean rag.
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