How to Drill Through Glass Blocks
Glass blocks can be difficult to drill cleanly. Glass is brittle, and can easily chip or crack when being drilled. Diamond-tipped blades will drill much more cleanly through glass than carbide-tipped bits. Aiming a steady stream of water from a garden hose onto the hole and the bit will cool and lubricate the diamond-tipped bit, helping the bit cut cleanly and avoid cracking. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Place the glass block on a flat, solid surface such as a sidewalk or driveway. Align the block so that the surface to be drilled is facing upward.
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Turn on a garden hose and position it so that a slow, steady stream of water is directed toward the spot where the hole is to be drilled.
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Install the diamond-tipped bit of the diameter of your choice into a cordless drill. Set the drill's speed to low.
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Drill a pilot hole at the desired location, with as slow a speed as possible. Avoid putting excessive pressure on the drill, instead allowing the drill bit to do all of the work.
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Increase the drilling speed once the pilot hole has started. Increase the flow of water from the hose as needed to keep the bit cool.
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Drill until the hole is completed. Carefully retract the drill bit from the hole, and drain out any water that may have entered the hole.
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Tips & Warnings
Because water is being used to keep the drill bit cool, use a cordless drill to rather than a corded power drill. Also, wear appropriate safety gear, including safety glasses.
References
- Photo Credit glass block image by Sunshine Photos from Fotolia.com
