a note on drilling glass, and glass bits

[Eric Walker]

OK, so I have drilled a few 10 gal , and a few peices of glass while makeing my own verts. All has gone better than I expected.

I started off useing the carbide bits that look like an arrow head. These work OK when useing a hand power drill. I have even drilled a few without any water or lube.

The other day I went and picked up a diamond tip that looked like a hole saw. I thought I would be able to use this with my drill and keep it still enough to work. I was wrong! I did not break the glass but left swirls all around where I wanted to drill. I then realized I need a drill press.

Just wanted to say if you plan to drill your own glass, dont get the kind that cut a circle of glass out unless you have a drill press to keep it centered.

[JoshH]

Good info Eric!

There is a way to use the glass hole drills without a press. It's kinda tricky.....if you hold the drill real still and at a 45 degree angle or so to get it started it will grind out a little semicircle. Then slowly straighten the drill out until you are completely level. Go slowly, this process should take at least 10-15 minutes on an average piece of glass.


It is almost impossible to go straight down on glass without the bit swirling or "walking" around.

[Eric Walker]

sounds like it could work. with the drill press it took maby 3 min

I also forgot to mention that my local glass guy said he uses turpentine by itself for a lube.

[Occidentalis]

Originally Posted by JoshH

Good info Eric!

There is a way to use the glass hole drills without a press. It's kinda tricky.....if you hold the drill real still and at a 45 degree angle or so to get it started it will grind out a little semicircle. Then slowly straighten the drill out until you are completely level. Go slowly, this process should take at least 10-15 minutes on an average piece of glass.


It is almost impossible to go straight down on glass without the bit swirling or "walking" around.

That's how you do it. Otherwise you get a skittering bit. Make a dam around the proposed hole with putty, and then fill with water.
With a press and any kind of artificial pressure, you risk cutting through too fast and getting a rough hole. The process is supposed to take a long time.

[NathanB]

Originally Posted by Eric Walker

sounds like it could work. with the drill press it took maby 3 min

I also forgot to mention that my local glass guy said he uses turpentine by itself for a lube.

with a drill press and a 10g tank, more like 30 secs

[highfyre]

Simple solution. Just drill a small piece of 2x4 out first and tape it to the tank or use clamps. Easy as pie!

[dom]

Originally Posted by highfyre

Simple solution. Just drill a small piece of 2x4 out first and tape it to the tank or use clamps. Easy as pie!

kudos on this one

[Dane]

Or just buy a drill guide like this:


Sears carries them as well as most Home Depot.

[Eric Walker]

Originally Posted by dom

kudos on this one

never would have thought of that, great idea


dane- looks like a great idea, but it doesn't look like you could drill a large pane. those supports dont look like you could get one in there. otherwise a winner.

[ridinshotgun]

Originally Posted by Eric Walker

never would have thought of that, great idea


dane- looks like a great idea, but it doesn't look like you could drill a large pane. those supports dont look like you could get one in there. otherwise a winner.

Glass panel doesn't go in it. It sits on top of any panel and is just there to guide the drill and keep the bit from moving around.

Excellent idea and I'll have to see if there is still one rattling around the shop now!