Drilling a hole through glass – this sounds like a simple task, doesn’t it? Actually, it is a fairly easy process, but it didn’t always seem that easy until I got a lesson in using a drill press from D.D. Hess. A talented lampwork and fused glass artist, D.D. also worked as a carpenter for a number of years, so she can handle just about any power tool. Though there are a number of tools and methods for drilling through glass, I wanted the ability to cut holes quickly. With a drill press and some diamond drill core bits, I found what I had been searching for.
Necessary Equipment:
A drill press can be purchased where most power tools can be found and range in price from $50 to $100. A set of diamond core bits (which range in size) is available from Rio Grande for about $60. You’ll also need a thin piece of wood, a shallow, plastic dish (left over frozen inner dishes work well), some water, protective eyewear, ear protection, and a pair of hemostats.
Cutting a Hole: 1) Fill a shallow dish with water, and place your piece of wood in the dish.
2) Set the dish under the drill bit, which is secured in the press.
3) Place your glass piece on top of the wood, and hold it so the glass and wood are completely submerged.
4) Before turning on the press, you need to figure out where you want your hole. To do this, bring down the lever on the press up against the glass. If that is where you want your hole, then bring the lever back up and continue to the next step. Otherwise, bring the drill bit up and reposition the piece of glass. Continue this process until you have both the glass and bit aligned correctly, and then bring up the lever.
5) Turn on the press.
6) Use one hand to hold the glass submerged in the water with your fingers positioned safely away from where the bit will touch.
8) Continue to hold the glass under the water and to push down on the lever. For weaklings like myself, this takes a little muscle power but not too much. You will see that your water will cloud up also.
9) Continue to drill until the bit makes contact with the wood.
10) Then push the lever back up all the way.
You have a hole.
As I stated before, this is just one way to cut holes in glass. I am not saying it is the only way. I’ve tried one other method, which included using an attachment on a grinder, but that seemed too slow and awkward to me. So, now I’m saving my pennies for a drill press and core bits.
Here's a printer friendly copy of this file.
find out about new additions to this site each week.
