Things get very intense when you’re drilling through glass or any sensitive material. It is like defusing a bomb for us or maybe fighting the decisive boss. Oh, you’re facing the same problem and want to know how to do it the right way. Here, you’ll know the correct way to perform the job, but in a much easier way.
Before you begin drilling through glass, Stop! And listen to what we have stored for you. Because we don’t want you to make a mess around, so before you start drilling, here is what you should know.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GLASS
Drilling through glass is not an easy task. Glass being a sensitive material needs experience, and knowledge of the tool and bit you’re using.
But if you know the proper method and use the right tool, you can drill through the glass in no time. Things like excessive speed, less lubrication, and fast speed can break the glass while performing your job.
TYPES OF BITS
There are many drill bits that you can use for drilling through glass. You can use maybe a carbide bit, which has a shape like an arrow, with a very pointed end.
That helps you drill through the glass with ease. Or you can use a 3/32 or 1/18 inch drill bit. Or maybe a diamond-tipped drill bit.
These all drill bits are good, but first, consider the magnitude of your work. Then choose the drill bit.
TYPES OF DRILLS
There are also many drills as the drill bit, like impact, cordless, and hammer drills. But the one we recommend is the Rotary drill.
Because all the other drills are meant for exerting high force and heavy jobs, the Rotary drill will enhance that rotating motion and get your desired result.
But the result also depends on the sharpness of your bit.
SPEED
As they say, haste makes Waste. The same case is here. While drilling through a glass, you’ll need to be precise and very gentle.
The more you exert force, the fast the drill works, which in turn produces heat. And if mixed with a lack of lubrication, friction is created, which causes the glass to break.
So make sure when drilling through the glass be patient because it is the game for patients.
LUBRICATION
Lubricants are a great way to reduce friction and to get those clean holes. Because if you don’t apply lubricant, it’ll produce friction, which causes heat, which causes the glass to break.
And all your efforts will go in vain. One of the best lubricants out there is WD-40. It comes in a thin, long straw bottle, which causes ease when applying even in narrow spaces.
SAFETY
Before starting your job, ensure that you can get all the proper safety gear, including the safety goggles, gloves, full-body covered suit, etc. When dealing with glass, you need to be careful to check for any crack before starting up the project. Don’t forget to take the things mentioned above before drilling, especially lubricant.
It would be best if you took Safety Precaution. As mentioned, safety is the most important thing when dealing with glass or any sensitive material. And there are some safety precautions that you must take. Wear safety goggles, gloves, a full-body suit (if dealing with large glass), and a mask, which prevents you from inhaling glass particles.
Also, check the condition of the drill and the drill bit you’re using. Make sure to put the drill in the right place and ensure it doesn’t fall during breaks. As mentioned, check for any possible crack before starting drilling. Check for any sharp edges on the bit’s body, which can cause skin injury, also cause damage to the glass. Drill safely.
HOW TO DRILL THROUGH GLASS?
Now, let’s see how you can perfectly drill through the glass. Firstly get your equipment ready.
PLANE MIRROR
Plain mirrors are best for practicing. You need to follow the correct method and the right gear.
Firstly, put the plain mirror on a flat surface. Make sure that there aren’t any sharp, pointed edges. Then take some masking tape and put it to the places where you want to drill a hole.
The masking tape will prevent the glass from scratching, as the drill bit may cause some scratching if masking tape isn’t applied. Then, take your drill and put it on rotary mode, and insert carbide/Pointed drill. Put the setting on slow speed.
And add some lubricant like water, or WD-40 glass lubricant, so that you may perform the job well. Now, the most sensitive part, take control over the force you exert and drill carefully and slowly. After you’ve drilled a hole, remove the masking tape, and clean the glass.
Congrats, buddy, you’ve successfully drilled a hole through a glass. Another tip is to always practice on a rough old glass, so you don’t repeat those mistakes on new glass.
CURVED GLASS SURFACE:
Drilling through a curved glass surface can be very tricky and challenging for you. But, no worries, we got you. Now, as before, get your gears ready. And for this one, you can use some DIY lubricant. Take a plastic bottle and make a tiny hole in it.
Fill it with water and tightly close the cap. This way, the water won’t come out of the bottle. And when you loosen it, it’ll start coming out. Set the drill on rotary mode, and insert a diamond-tipped bit. Set the setting on low speed. Then loosen the bottle’s cap so that the water comes outright to the place where you want to make a hole.
Mark the place where you want to drill and start drilling. The bottle will get you covered for the lubricant. Make sure to move your hand in circles. This way, you can enhance the final results.
Try putting a masking tape first, and practice on a rough, old glass first if you’re a beginner. That’s how you make a hole in a curved glassed surface.
THINGS WE NEEDED WHEN DRILLING THROUGH GLASS
Now, after you’ve learned how to drill through the glass now, let’s see what we usually need when drilling through the glass.
- SAFETY FIRST: make safety your priority. Make sure that you have your safety goggles with you and a pair of gloves. This way, you can perform the job confidently. And will be safe from injuries. Also, don’t forget to wear a mask, which will prevent you from inhaling glass particles.
- ROTARY DRILL & DRILL BIT: Second most important thing is the drill itself. The rotary drill is more preferable. Insert the carbide bit for plain mirrors and diamond-tipped bits for curved surfaces. These two bits can perform the job well for us, hopefully for the beginners out there.
- MASKING TAPE: Then, we grab masking tape because we want the hole to be nice and clean. As mentioned, masking tape will prevent the glass from scratching, and all you have at the end will be a nice, satisfying hole.
- WATER OR SOME OTHER LUBRICANT: Mostly, we recommend having some water by your side, or if you have some product go for it.
Water is easily available, & also is the best option for us, when we ran out of products. Remember to use that plastic bottle hack. It’s undoubtedly worth it.
THING YOU NEED TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN DRILLING
Things get very annoying when you’ve read the theory but failed whenever practicing. I mean, practices are intended to cover those failures.
But still, there are some aspects which you don’t want to ignore.
- LOW SPEED: I know we’ve talked about it earlier, but emphasizing this point is a must. No matter how careful you’re or how much masking tape you put on. With high speed, you’ll only get cracked glass.
- RIGHT ANGLE: When drilling, try to master that angle (only for curved surfaces). When drilling through a jar or any curved surface, try to move your hands in a circle. This way, the hole will not only look good but will also be vast.
- FORCE: Getting that perfectly drilled hole requires ideal force. If you put extra strength, the glass will break. If you put no pressure, it’ll take time. Try to put medium power when drilling through glass, it’ll take less time to drill, and you’ll get a hole without any cracks.
FAQs
To cover the questions running around in your mind. We select some FAQs to answer those questions.
CAN YOU DRILL BY USING JUST A NORMAL BIT?
Yes, you can. But it’ll require some experience and some solid objects. If you want to drill with a standard bit, put any hard thing on top of the glass. This way, you’ll drill through rigid objects first and will save glass. But we recommend you to use Carbide or Diamond tipped bits.
CAN YOU DRILL THROUGH THICK GLASS?
To drill through thick glass, you’ll need to have a continuous supply of water or lubricant to prevent the glass from breaking. Also, I need to set the speed a little higher. But, make sure to have complete control over the speed.
HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO DRILL THROUGH A GLASS?
It depends upon if you’re following the correct method. It generally takes 10-12 minutes to drill through ordinary glass. But, if you want to drill through thick glass, it’ll take 20-25 minutes.
HOW DO YOU DRILL LARGE HOLES IN A GLASS?
To drill a large hole, select the larger-sized bit. Carbide and Diamond-Tipped bits are preferable. But ensure to have a continuous supply of lubrication, and don’t forget to apply masking tape.
Conclusion
Drilling through glass can be challenging, but when done, it also is very satisfying. You need to follow the proper method, have the right tools and dedication. But also, with the right method, you should make safety your priority. And if you’re a kid, stay away from it. When dealing with the glass, always remember to be precise and careful.
Take control over the speed and the force you exert, and that’s all you should know while drilling through glass.
