How to Drill a Hole in Glass

By NtobekoDIY

You may need to occasionally know how to drill a hole into glass for a craft project or a repair around the home. Fortunately, this is a simple, quick project that most crafters and homeowners can do with just a cordless drill, a special type of drill bit, and plenty of water.

Crafts such as hanging wind chimes, projects with wine bottles or Mason jars, or making glass jewelry are common tasks where you may need to drill into glass. Learn the simple steps of drilling a hole into glass.

 

Basics of Drilling a Hole in Glass

Drilling into wood or plastic is a straightforward task but drilling into glass is different. The speed of the drill must be kept slow to control the temperature. If the glass gets too hot, it may break. In addition, starting the hole can be tricky since the drill bit tends to skitter across the surface.

A continuous stream of water on the surface helps lower the temperature of the drill bit and the glass. An assistant can carefully pour a thin stream of water over the surface as you drill. Or you can use a plastic jug that leaks a steady stream of water, as described in this project.

Purchase a diamond-coated or carbide-tipped drill bit for the best results.

 

Safety Considerations

Drilling into glass is hazardous. Be sure to wear safety glasses, gloves, and a dust mask at all times. Glass dust is very harmful, so never breathe it in, and keep it off of your skin. The constant flow of water will help hold down the glass dust and wash it away.

WARNING

Only use a cordless drill for this project because it involves water. Only use the tip of the drill bit in the water, do not immerse the cordless drill. Do not use a corded drill as this presents a shock hazard when used in conjunction with the water.1

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Cordless drill
  • Gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Carbide or diamond-coated drill bit
  • Plumber’s putty
  • Empty plastic jug
  • Pushpin
  • Clamp

Materials

  • Glass
  • Padding for glass and clamp
  • Plywood (optional, for support of flat glass)

Instructions


  1. Pad the Glass Before Drilling

    Lay the glass on plywood and top it with a thin rubber pad to prevent the glass from shattering. If you are drilling flat glass, it must be supported from below, as well. Depending on your type of clamp, you may need additional padding, such as a piece of fabric, between the clamp and the glass.

    Tip

    Instead of placing a pad on top of the glass, put an X over the target spot you want to drill using masking tape or painter’s tape. Mark the spot with a marker. The tape cushions the area and also stabilizes the drill bit once you begin to drill.

    Pad the Glass to be Drilled

  2. Clamp the Glass

    Clamp the glass very gently. Too much pressure when clamping glass can cause it to crack. Clamp directly onto the padding, not the glass itself.

    Clamp the Glass

  3. Form a Dam With Plumber’s Putty

    • Scoop out a ball of plumber’s putty, about 1 inch in diameter.
    • Roll it out by hand so that it is about 1/4 inch wide and 3 inches long.
    • Form a circle.
    • Stick this circle on the glass.
    Form a Dam With Plumber's Putty

  4. Create a Continuous Water Source

    • Fill an empty, clean plastic milk jug with cool water.
    • Cap the jug.
    • Use a push pin to pierce the side of the jug, near the bottom.
    • Keep the pushpin in the jug, for now, to prevent the water from flowing out.
    Pierce the Plastic Container

  5. Aim the Water Toward the Drilling Area

    • Move the glass material into position.
    • Remove the pushpin. A thin stream of water should flow.
    • Aim the water so that it hits the center of the plumber’s putty dam only.
    Aim the Water Toward the Drilling Area

  6. Ensure That the Dam Spills to the Side

    Lightly press your finger into one side of the dam to create a flow in one direction.

    Ensure That the Dam Spills to the Side

  7. Begin Drilling Into the Glass

    • Chuck the carbide or diamond-coated drill bit into the cordless drill.
    • Place the end of the bit on the drilling spot.
    • Gently press the drill trigger so that the bit slowly rotates. Do not drill at high speed or it will cause the bit to move away from the drill spot.
    • Create a dimple in the glass.
    Begin Drilling Into the Glass

    Tip

    Another way to start a difficult hole is to remove the plumber’s putty dam and tape a small square of cardboard on the glass. Drill through the cardboard; this helps to steady the drill bit. Then, put the dam back on and resume drilling.


  8. Pierce the Glass With the Drill

    • Dump out the water frequently and check the progress of the drilling.
    • Be patient. Drilling a 1/4-inch hole into thick glass such as a wine bottle can take about 10 minutes.
    • Decrease the forward pressure slightly on the drill toward the end to avoid chipping the inside edge of the hole.
    Pierce the Glass With the Drill

 

Tips For Drilling a Hole Into Glass

  • Keep the glass cool at all times. This is a similar process to using a glass cutting wheel.
  • Continually flowing water, much like a wet tile saw, is better for keeping glass cool than compressed air. The water helps keep the glass dust contained.
  • Curved glass can be drilled with a hand drill. But if you have a drill press, this will make the project easier.
  • Always run the drill very slowly.
  • Breakage occurs when you drill too fast, move from hot to cold quickly (or vice-versa), or fail to support the back of the glass.
  • Certain types of thinner glass do not drill well and tend to break.
  • Small items can be drilled while submerged in water but you must make certain only the drill bit gets wet, not the drill itself.