Tempered glass will shatter upon contact with the drill. To determine whether glass is tempered, look at the four corners of the glass. If the glass is tempered, the manufacturer is supposed to etch the glass at each of the corners. Another caution: When drilling, do not wear loose clothing or long, dangling accessories like necklaces, bracelets, and shirts with long fringes. It’s critical that you not wear anything that can be caught in a power tool. It’s also a good idea to wear protective goggles and gloves when drilling.
Drilling a hole in glass does not require a specific drill – it just requires the right drill bit. [1] X Research source It’s important not to use the drill’s full power or top speed when you drill a hole in the glass, though. You could end up cracking the glass. Think about the drilling like you are slowly carving away at glass rather than drilling a hole in it. Locate the speed dial on your drill, and adjust it to a lower level. This will help you slow down the process.
One possibility is a carbide bit that is made for drilling glass and tile. Carbide bits have a spade shaped point and are also made to withstand the friction of drilling in glass or tile. [2] X Research source You can find carbide bits at many home centers. Just go to the area where they sell drill bits or ask a salesperson. One issue with cheap bits, though, is that they can get dull fast or even break.
Diamond drill bits can be used to drill holes a quarter of an inch or larger. You can choose a rounded end or core bit. Diamond bits will create a smoother end product. Diamond bits are traditional for glass drilling; they will drill many holes with one bit and rarely cause breakage if properly used. For very small holes, you can choose a small diamond drill bit with a solid, flat end, or tip. These are available in very small sizes, as small as 0. 75 mm. [3] X Research source You could also purchase a diamond grit hole saw. You will need an autostart quick change mandrel tool. These pieces fit on your drill. Use the mandrel on your drill to create the first hole in the glass. Then, put the saw on the drill and place it into the hole you created with the mandrel. Drill the hole through.
Put a bit of newspaper at the bottom of the container. This will prevent you from drilling a hole through the container itself. Another option is to place the glass on an extremely flat surface where it is completely supported. If you can, put a rubber pad or other firm, cushioning material underneath it, but the glass must be flat and supported. In other words, don’t hold the glass up as you drill or something like that. At all times be cautious about safety. Make sure that you aren’t drilling in an area where you could damage something, and you want to make sure that power tool cords are not near water.
Make a reference mark on the tape on the spot where you want to drill the hole. This will help guide you as you get ready to drill. [4] X Research source
Chuck a small bit into a variable speed motor drill. Make sure it is secured tightly. It is best to start with a bit maybe about 1/8" or 3/32" in size. You only want to create a dimple in the glass at first. Then, remove the cardboard or tape and drill faster, at about 400 rpm. If you drill too fast, your drill bit could cause burn marks around the tip. If it seems necessary, swap in a larger bit to enlarge your initial hole. The first hole is a “pilot” hole. It will guide the subsequent larger bits as you work your way up to the size of your finished hole[7] X Research source
If you press too hard on the glass with the drill, you could crack it. Hold the drill perpendicular to the glass so that you prevent chipping. You’ll want to use lighter pressure if you’re new to drilling to make it less likely you make a big mistake. [8] X Research source [9] X Research source Another approach is to drill half way through, flip the glass over (carefully) and drill through the back side of it until you meet the other hole in the middle. [10] X Research source
Coolant should be applied both before and during drilling. You could put a bottle with water in it and a small hole in it at the drill hole. It will trickle out and onto the hole as you drill the glass, cooling it. [11] X Research source You could also spray a mist of water around the drill bit instead to keep it lubricated. Again, remember to be very careful of electrical cords and water. Try putting the water in a squirt bottle and apply it as you drill. If white powder forms as you drill, you should apply more coolant, and slow the process down. You could also place a wet sponge under the glass as you drill to act as a coolant. [12] X Research source Or you could cover the glass with a small amount of water before drilling - basically put it in a shallow water bath in your container.
