How to Cut & Drill Dichroic Glass
Dichroic glass is a medium used by artisans to create jewelry and embellishments. It is formed by vacuum-depositing metal oxides and quartz crystal onto a piece of standard glass. Up to 30 thin layers are crystallized onto the surface of the glass, forming a colorful and decorative surface. Cutting and drilling through dichroic glass requires glassworking tools to shape the glass.
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Things You'll Need
- Dish
- White vinegar
- Lint-free cloth
- Newspaper
- Glass cutter
- Cutting oil
- Dremel or drill
- Diamond-core drill bit
- Clay
- Water
- Styrofoam
Instructions
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1
Dip the dichroic glass into a small dish filled with distilled white vinegar. Remove the glass and wipe dry with a lint-free cloth. Place the glass smooth side up on a piece of folded newspaper and dip the tip of the glass cutter into cutting oil. Run the cutter along the surface of the glass in one motion, applying enough pressure so you hear a scratching sound.
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2
Grasp the glass in both hands so that it rests on top of the sides of your bent index fingers and your thumbs are centered around the score line. Twist both fists upward with even pressure so the glass breaks along the score line.
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3
Fit a Dremel tool or standard drill with a diamond-core bit in the desired size of the hole. Form a piece of clay into a thin doughnut shape large enough to accommodate your drill bit and press it into place around the area you will be drilling. Fill the center of the clay doughnut with water and place the glass on top of a piece of Styrofoam.
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4
Turn on the drill or Dremel and touch the bit to the glass at a slight angle. When a small divot has formed in the glass, tilt the drill so the bit is straight up and down and continue drilling until the bit has gone all the way through the glass. Refill the reservoir with water as necessary during drilling to maintain lubrication.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear safety glasses when working with glass.
References
- Photo Credit Electric drill with a drill on a white background image by terex from Fotolia.com
