Glass can add to the visual aesthetics of your room and is one of the best ways to show your creativity. It can be used in a lot of ways according to your home’s aesthetic. However, while glass works as a beautiful accent, it is delicate and needs to be handled with utmost care. Learn how to drill a hole in glass, which will be necessary if you want your home to have glass doors, windows or wall hangings.
Drilling hole in glass: Equipment needed
- Safety gear: Wear safety gear such as gloves and goggles to ensure that you don’t get harmed in the process.
- Glass surface: It is necessary to choose a stable surface and cover it with a cloth so you don’t end up damaging it in the process.
- Glass: A clean, dirt-free glass is necessary.
- Glass drill bit: A specialised drill bit that makes it easier for you to cut through the glass without causing any cracks.
- Masking tape: To add to the support and prevent the drill bit from slipping.
- Coolant or lubricant: This is necessary to keep the glass cool during the process, as overheating can damage the glass.
- Drill motor: Use one with low settings to ensure that the glass does not crack.
- Clamp or vice: Use this to minimise vibrations.
- Marking tools such as markers or pencils: These will be necessary to mark the exact position of the hole.
Drilling hole in glass: The process
Marking the hole
- The first step is to properly clean the glass surface and then mark the spot where you need to drill a hole with the help of a marker. Make sure the mark is at the exact position, as you can’t do anything once you have drilled the hole.
- Set up the glass and lubricate.
- Now place the glass over a sturdy surface, but cover it with a cloth so that the surface does not get any scratches. Secure the glass on the surface so that it does not vibrate as you drill a hole in it.
- For lubrication, take a small container and fill it with a glass-cutting coolant or water. Make sure that you have easy access to this lubricant.
Choose the right drill bit
Attach the specialised glass drill bit to your low-speed drill. Make sure it is properly secured. You can also read the manufacturer’s instructions to know more about the basics, such as the speed and size of the drill bit.
Start drilling
In this step, you need to start slowly drilling a hole. Make sure you do not keep the drill bit at a 90-degree angle with the surface; it’s better to keep it around 45 degrees with respect to the glass surface. Slowly apply the pressure as excess pressure can crack the glass. Patience is the key here.
Once you get to the end of the glass, reduce the pressure and then slowly remove the drill bit from the glass. Be patient in the entire process because any kind of pressure may end up cracking the glass.
Clean up
Now, you can remove the masking tape and use sandpaper to smoothen the edges if necessary.
FAQs
How do I prevent the glass from cracking while drilling a hole in it?
Make sure you don’t put excessive pressure while the drill bit is of the perfect size. Drill a hole while keeping the drill bit at a 45-degree angle with respect to the glass.
Can I drill a hole in tempered glass?
Drilling holes in tempered glass might end up breaking the entire glass.
Is it necessary to wear safety gear?
Yes, sometimes, while drilling, small pieces of glass might flow into the air and you should protect yourself by wearing glasses and a mask.
What if I only have an electric drill?
You can use an electric drill, but make sure to use it on low-speed settings.
What if the glass cracks while drilling?
Stop immediately if you see that the glass has started cracking up, and if the crack is huge, you would probably have to replace the glass.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
