Here's my 2 cents: Disclaimer: I'm no expert at this and others may have better methods, but you'll know what the bits look like. I always submerge the item being drilled in cool water. Watch out when the hole breaks through, as the drill bit can pop through quickly and the drill end may break the pot (probably not an issue with a drill press). The pot on the left was drilled with the diamond tip, the one on the right with the glass/tile bit. Hey, where'd that stinking little slug come from, lol?? The bit on the left is for masonry drilling. You can tell by the little 'wings' on both sides. It takes a loooong time to drill through pots with this. The two in the middle are glass/tile bits. They do a pretty good job. I start with smaller ones and work up to the larger ones, so the larger ones don't get dull from the initial drilling. They work pretty well. The bit on the right is a diamond tip bit. It pulls water into it as it's spinning to keep it cool. It drills a 'plug' out of the pot. It seems to work the best and will be the only one I use from now on. Be sure to read the package about how to start a new hole by drilling at an angle. This may not be necessary with a drill press. Here's the top end of the diamond bit. I've never drilled glass, so can't speak to that. It's probably a good idea to keep your bits cleaner than mine, lol. Hope this helps. Linda

Thanks for that. I can't actually take it back as it's been screwed to my bench and used but it has the blade on the bottom anyway. SO did you take the safety cover off and use it that way? Do you have problems with bits flying off at you? (I do use safety glasses but what about the rest of the face?) And lastly can you only cut yours half way up too? Do you then turn it up the other way and run it through again? Is that the only way to do it? I bought a couple of miniature teapots on Etsy that had been cut in half and they are cut perfectly, no roughness on the cuts at all and the handles are cut perfectly through the centre too and they're very tiny handles. I've noticed on my saw that there is about a 3mm wastage, the thickness of the blade. How do you think the ones I bought on Etsy were cut? They must have been done with another kind of saw?? Sorry about all the questions and I do appreciate any and all input. Cheers Tracey

What a nice collection. I always drool over the ones with roses on them, but that blue and white one is a really nice pattern and shape too. The yellow one looks like it is trimmed in gold--very nice. Bet you enjoy finding new ones to add to your collection. So nice that you have lots of storage space. I first became interested in them when I visited my BIL's cousin. She had special display shelves on the walls in her kitchen and the cups and saucers looked so pretty on them. I don't have much room, but I have started hanging some plates with roses on my wall. Have three plates and several saucers so far. Gives me something to hunt for when I hit the TS or YS's. Love it when I find one--get excited just like Christmas! Ha ha Thanks for taking and posting the pics. I really enjoyed seeing them. Luvs

If you have a WalMart nearby (and who doesn't!) they sell Black and Decker Glass and Tile bits in a 4 pack for around $10. These are the best bits to use. HD sells them for around $17, and I get them to price match plus 10%, so I get them for $9! woohoo. Anyway, use the next to the smallest bit (can't recall the size). If your cup is really china, it will take ages to drill a hole. Use drops of water to cool the bit and go S-L-O-O-O-W. If it's just ceramic it should drill fast. I'd suggest using one of the bigger bits on another piece until you get the hang of drilling, to save your bit for the one you're going to do. I'm not sure about cutting the cup. Maybe if you have a glass shop they could do it? I've seen it done with glass on a band saw type of set up, but never china, and never a tea cup. I HAVE seen tea cups that were cut in half and made into night lights, just don't have a clue as to how they did it!