How to Drill Beach Glass
Drill colorful pieces of beach glass to craft stunning jewelry, wind chimes or other creative compositions. Artisans incorporate wire, beads, clay, metals and other components to transform these irregular pieces into works of art. Find authentic pieces of beach glass along the water's edge or mixed in with pebbles and debris washed onto the beach. Look for pieces that are smooth along the edges. Consider the project and sketch out how you will best utilize the beach glass prior to drilling.
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Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Safety goggles and gloves
- Sponge or Styrofoam block
- Plastic container
- Dremel craft drill
- Diamond coated drill bits
Instructions
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1
Prepare a work area and lay down newspaper. Place a sponge or Styrofoam block as a base in a container. Fill the container with enough water to cover the piece of beach glass you wish to drill. Next, set the beach glass on top of the chosen base.
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2
Mark the location you wish to make a hole with a fine tip pen. Hold the drill bit at a slight angle or approximately 90 degrees to prevent it from skipping across the glass. Now, create a small groove.
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3
Drill halfway straight down only using gentle but even pressure. Ensure that there is enough water over the hole as you make progress.
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4
Turn the beach glass piece over onto the sponge and drill the other side. This will prevent chipping the glass.
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Tips & Warnings
Before drilling, wash the sea glass in warm, sudsy water to remove any unwanted residue and set out to dry.
To further steady the beach glass, set it firmly in a piece of silly putty before placing it on the base.
Practice with larger pieces of beach glass before using your favorite pieces.
Expect a risk of breakage when drilling beach glass.
Always wear safety glasses and gloves when drilling glass.
