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Crafts & Decorations

Which is better for drilling holes in glass

19 years ago

Our local hardware store didn't carry a hole saw, but did carry a glass drill bit( arrow shaped) It does do the trick, but does take some effort. Just wondered from experience which you guys think is easier. This guy at a craft show told me he used old dental bits- but I don't think my dentist would give me old dental bits because of hygeine laws.

thanks

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Comments (13)

toomuchglass
19 years ago
I can only speak from what I use -- the old dental bits ! LOL
Actually I use assorted diamond tipped bits made for
"Dremel tools" . You can buy them seperately or in sets . The sets have all different shapes and sizes in them ,too (Very convienient). I saw them on E Bay, and Harbor Freight also carries them. These will only give you tiny holes - like for stringing windchimes . I have the arrow shaped bits - but haven't needed a big hole yet !
Here's the Harbor Freight website - type in the search for DIAMOND BITS. (Hope this helps !)

Here is a link that might be useful: Harbor freight
Ina Plassa_travis
19 years ago
I have better luck using diamond grinding bits than I ever have with drill bits...

you can also look for something called a 'coring bit' that they do make with a diamond tip- a friend used to use them for cutting jade, which can be harder than glass.
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For drilling glass use a glass or ceramic drill bit and use plenty of H2O. You can use a cutting oil or 3-in-1 oil as well but I do not like the nasty smell much and it is a bit expensive. I usually use a drill press because it keeps the piece I'm drilling very steady and the drill weight alone is enough pressure to move the bit downward on it's own with out to much pressure. Hand drilling I use a vice to hold the item I'm working on and again let the weight of the drill be the downward pressure. Drill at a slow speed for maximum effect without spraying glass particles and heating the glass. For cups and shallow glass or ceramic pieces I drill from the inside and partialy fill the container with water. If you need a large hole sometimes it is best to use a smaller bit and after getting a starter hole graduate the size of the bit up until you have achieved the size you want. Especially if you are drilling on a curved surface. I usually use a polishing wheel on the edges of the hole to take off the sharp edge and smooth away any "chips". I've learned PATIENCE is a must in drilling holes in glass or ceramic. CT
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Hi all, I'm new here, This thread caught my eye because I work with glass for a living. If the glass is not tagged there is no way to know if it is tempered but it is a safe bet to assume any aquarium twenty gallons and up, that is made of glass 1/4 inch or less is tempered. This statement; > Can apply to any glass that becomes scratched, tempered or not. TG will more likly break and should break into small, safer pieces then untempered when trying to cut through it. Tempered is not stronger then untempered glass, it's just more impact resistant and when it breaks it should fall into small cube-ish pieces rather than sharp shards If the tempered glass is thinner than 1/4 the safest way to cut into it is to sandblast it which not many places that blast know how to work with glass but there are alot of hobbiest and small independant glass etchers around that might be able to it. It still might break though, you just have no way of knowing. With diamond wheels the main thing is to keep enough water flowing over the work piece to keep the glass from over heating which will expand the glass unevenly and crack it. Many diamond cutters are fine without water, you'll just ruin the glass without it or at best, clog the cutter so it won't cut anymore (which also causes more heat). Hope that helps, It's nice not being a lurker for once Danny
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The first guy was correct. Drilling holes for cabling and/or rodding doesn't usually have a negative impact on the health of the tree. When done correctly, the tree can quickly seal around the hardware. It's very important that the cabling be done by someone that knows what they are doing. There is much more to cabling than one might think. There have also been a lot of advances in the materials used in recent years. Done correctly, cabling and/or rodding can greatly increase the lifespan of a tree needing such a procedure. Done incorrectly, it can have a significant negative impact on the health of the tree and even make the situation more dangerous be increasing the likelihood of failure. I am not sure of the specifics brought up by the second guy. I would ask for more information, and maybe run the information you get from him by either the first guy or another certified arborist. Regular maintenance and inspection is a large factor that needs to be taken into consideration no matter which method is used. Some methods may require much less follow-up than others. As for Ken's suggestions, that is a personal decision you will have to make after getting the information and prices together. Some trees aren't worth the expense/trouble but some definitely are!
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If I am trying to put a hole in something like a teacup that has a foot which will act as a sort of water well, I fill that area with water and drill away. When the point of the bit goes thru, the water usually drains out fast, so I do what flagtruck does and start dipping the bit every minute or two. The trick is to keep it from getting hot and burning out the cutting edges. The same dipping action works for anything that doesn't have a "well", but I usually fashion my own for the sake of time. You can use kid's clay (cheap stuff from $ tree), roll a rope long enough to surround a large enough area to be practical, seal the edges to the piece you're drilling and fill the resulting well with water. Pat
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Zoe_smom
19 years ago
I try to keep it simple and use the easily available (arrow shaped) ceramic drill bits. They may be a bit slow, but I'd rather have the proper size holes than fool around with tiny holes and try to enlarge them. I drill 1/2 inch holes in glass blocks.
EndlessPossibilities
19 years ago
I use a hole drill bit that cuts a 1/2" circle out of the glass. I submerse the glass block in water that barely covers the top and it takes about two minutes to drill a hole into the side which is just big enough to insert the string of lights. The drill bit was expensive (?$25?)but sooooo worth it if you're going to drill more than a few and sell them. If you'd like the information on the place where I ordered it, just email me (put "drill bit" in the Subject) and I'd be glad to share. I just don't have the info at my fingertips since I'm at work.
Christine
pattico_gw
19 years ago
What about drilling the hole in a Mason jar?....

Have any of you done that and with what....

I want to do some of those for Christmas gifts and need to get started on them.

patti
country_bumpkin_al
19 years ago
The only thing DH has used is the Hole Saw (from Harbor Freight) and he was pretty impressed with it.

I saw a post somewhere (not here) by a girl and they were using the Hole Saw to drill the blocks and wine bottles....so I'd assume it would work on a Mason jar.
GardenGirl_IA
19 years ago
Hey Patti!

I use a glass and tile bit that I bought at Home Depot. I have made a bunch of these mason jar lamps...email me if you have any questions.

Ann
sportsmom12
Original Author
19 years ago
Pattico- the only thing I drill holes in is the mason jars as I make those lamps. Let me know if you n eed the instructions for taking the candle lamp apart also.
Good luck
nicemom
16 years ago
I bought a 2gallon mason jar and would like to know which drill bit and what size of hole to be able to fit a cord through. Also how do you take a candle lamp apart?
iowagirl2006
16 years ago
Check out the link for the best instructions for making jar lamps - very thorough and with pictures.

Here is a link that might be useful: American Prim's Blog
nicemom
16 years ago
Thanks iowagirl2006!

The website is terrific and directions perfect!

nicemom
pattico_gw
16 years ago
It is so funny to be reading a post...(and not paying any attention to how old it is...) and find you have posted on it...and not remembering at all doing so...until you read the date...LOL

thanks for the memory...
I don't believe I ever did get those done...

patti
iowagirl2006
16 years ago
LOL! Patti - I was thinking the same thing - Heck - my user name changed! I was GardenGirl, and now I am iowagirl - I had to change, back when everything changed over to iVillage....

Are you inspired to get the jars out again?

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