Here we indicate how to drill through glass for the likes of windows, aquariums or table tops. For tips on drilling Sea Glass please go to our How To Drill Sea Glass page.
This video shows a simple demonstration of how to drill through aquarium glass:
Diamond Core Drill (often referred to as Diamond Hole Saws) 24mm – 50mm might be a good size range to use
Towel or something to rest your glass on whilst drilling (if drilling an aquarium, a towel on the inside to collect the glass pieces as they fall would also be a good idea)
Putty or water containment suction ring
Flow of water (either a running tap or a hose)
Safety goggles
Diamond file to bevel away the finished edges (optional)
Mark the position of where you require the hole to be with a white marker and place a strip of masking tape over the top. When you begin to drill the masking tape will help prevent any skittering across the surface of the glass.
Start your tap running or your hose so that there is a constant flow of water running over the drill hole. The purpose of using a lubricant such as water is to ensure the material and your drill bit don’t overheat which can cause your material to crack and will shorten the life of your drill bit.
Start the drill on it’s lowest rpm setting to begin with and angle your drill on the masking tape. The angling of the drill will again help to prevent any skittering across the surface. Once you’ve made the initial cut by angling the piece into the glass create a moulded ring with some putty or if you have one attach a water containment suction ring. These will help the water form a pool around the drilling area and also help to guide you as well. Return your drill to it’s normal vertical position and continue to drill through.
If you need the hole to look neat and professional try using one of our diamond files to bevel away the sharp edges and give your glass a nice smooth finish.