How to Drill Holes in Glass

HOW TO DRILL HOLES IN GLASS

Materials List:

1/8" Glass Diamond Drill Bit Item# 41619
1/4" Glass Diamond Drill Bit Item# 41618

Step 1: Start by filling an old plastic food storage bowl (disposable take out containers are great options) with water. Lay your glass across the top. You can insert a smaller container inside a larger one so your glass can be submerged in the water. The goal is to always have the glass and drill bit wet.

Option 1: If you are unable to have a steady stream of water running over you glass try another lubrication technique. One technique isto build a "dam" around the drill hole using a small amount of modeling clay or a similar material like silly putty. The material used to hang pictures found in an office supply store may also work.

Option 2: Place a piece of 1/2" plywood under the glass to create a solid surface to support the glass. It is important that you are NOT placing a lot of pressure on the drill bit and glass so as not to break it. Placing wood under the glass doesn't give you permission to push harder.

Safety Tip 1: The Glastar Diamond drill bit is known as a Blunt Nose Diamond Drill Bit. It will work with any drill but a light weight cordless drill is preferred versus a corded drill. Cordless is recommended for safety because you will be working with water for lubrication and we all know water and electricity should never mix.

Safety Tip 2: ALWAYS pay attention to the placement of your hands. It is not necessary to hold the glass. You may find that it gives you more support and control holding one hand at the neck of the drill and one on the handle.

Step 2: To drill a hole place bit exactly where you want the hole and position your drill bit at a 15 degree angle. Use of water and a controlled speed won’t chip your glass, stained glass, china plates or even fiberglass. The Glastar Blunt Nose Drill Bits can operate at high speeds up to 10,000 rpm but start slowly.

Once you have started a small indentation in the glass you can then place your drill in a straight (vertical) position, at a 90 degree angle.

Tip: While drilling: Raise the drill up and down a fraction of an inch to insure that water enters the drilled hole completely and fully lubricates the tip of the bit.

Step 3: Once you have drilled completely thru the glass, measure the hole to make sure it is large enough for your project. If a larger hole is needed, you may have to return the drill to an angled position and rotate the glass to grind away the hole to a larger size.

NOTE: Do NOT use these drill bits on Tempered glass! Breakage runs as high as 80% to 90% depending upon the degree of temper in the glass. The manufacturing process of tempered glass causes a large amount of stress between various portions of the glass and highly tempered glass will most likely crack at the stress points near the hole.