Drilling holes in glass

Thunderscreech · #1 07-18-2010, 09:20 PM

I have this bottle I need to drill some holes in for an project I'm making. The only person I know who can do this off the top of my head is a glass artist my mom knows who lives in Lynchburg, VA (3 hours away), so I will have to do this myself. I know I need a special drill bit, and have to use tape or wet sand or something to keep the glass from cracking.

it's a Jagermiester bottle, if that matters, and the holes are going to be near the bottom on the sides. I will be inserting wooden dowels through them to hang things off of. They'll only need to be, at most, 3/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter, if that big. I might decide to use something smaller.

hover · #2 07-18-2010, 09:25 PM

I guess I don't see a question here?

I make glass, every day.

The Jager bottle is most likely soda-lime glass, and drilling it IS possible, as it was probably annealed just fine, but you'll definitely need more than a common drill bit. More like a diamond-coate boring bit (looks like a hollow tube). And plently of lubrication (for the drilling, not Jager for you while doing it)

Bottle will have to remain motionless. Drill must run true. You will not be able to drill it by hand with a hand drill. the potential stress will likely crack the glass...that, and I presume you'll be drilling a round surface? that poses a problem of bit deflection when introducing the bit to the bottle.
Good luck.

Simo98 · #3 07-18-2010, 09:26 PM

Drilling holes in a bottle for a 'Project', we've all heard that one before

I reccomend a bit of the ol' google, im sure there would be a tutorial or some tips on it somewhere?

hover · #4 07-18-2010, 09:29 PM

http://www.ehow.com/how_4531690_dril...ss-bottle.html

Thunderscreech · #5 07-18-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

I guess I don't see a question here?

I make glass, every day.

The Jager bottle is most likely soda-lime glass, and drilling it IS possible, as it was probably annealed just fine, but you'll definitely need more than a common drill bit. More like a diamond-coate boring bit (looks like a hollow tube). And plently of lubrication (for the drilling, not Jager for you while doing it)

Bottle will have to remain motionless. Drill must run true. You will not be able to drill it by hand with a hand drill. the potential stress will likely crack the glass...that, and I presume you'll be drilling a round surface? that poses a problem of bit deflection when introducing the bit to the bottle.
Good luck.

I'm only drilling it on the flat sides. 2 at the bottom on each side. and I'll probably use a drill press, cause exploding glass doesn't sound fun.

I guess my question is am gonna do this right?

EDIT: After seeing the link...

should I use kerosene instead of water? Or am I asking for trouble?

hover · #6 07-18-2010, 09:34 PM

yes. you always run the risk of popping the bottle, but these types of bottles should do well. I didn't realize the sides were flat.

Get a diamond coated bit of your choosing size wise. You choose a diamond coated bit because you are really grinding away the glass, versus actually cutting it. and really take your time. Keep the cut wet. wear eye protection. rinse off debris on you with cold water. Good luck, post pics.

edit: Kerosene would be a terrible idea. flammable, you know. friction = heat. No-no.

Thunderscreech · #7 07-18-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

edit: Kerosene would be a terrible idea. flammable, you know. friction = heat. No-no.

I thought about this right after I posted it. I know with glass cutter you use kero, but then I was like "well, drill bits make heat, and heat makes fire, and kerosene is flammable..." and then I had a flashback to the time I lit off a pile of gunpowder in my face...

254 stringer · #8 07-18-2010, 09:58 PM

You should just go buy a bong It's easier

Thunderscreech · #9 07-18-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 254 stringer

You should just go buy a bong It's easier

Too bad this isn't for a bong

hover · #10 07-18-2010, 10:02 PM

Seriously, every time I bring up in conversation that I make glass for a living, someone says "can you make me a bong?"

sure pal, only with the glass I make / use, you will surely die after / during the first smoke.

Thunderscreech · #11 07-18-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

Seriously, every time I bring up in conversation that I make glass for a living, someone says "can you make me a bong?"

sure pal, only with the glass I make / use, you will surely die after / during the first smoke.

What kind of glass are you making? Like refractory glass or something really specialized?

hover · #12 07-18-2010, 10:05 PM

very specialized, highly proprietary formulations. Surely I was being a tad dramatic, but trust me, not a good idea for your health. at all.

Thunderscreech · #13 07-18-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

very specialized, highly proprietary formulations. Surely I was being a tad dramatic, but trust me, not a good idea for your health. at all.

Ah, I see. So like rare earth elements and stuff?

Simo98 · #14 07-18-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

I make glass for a living

Hey uh.. Do you want to.. y'know.. make me a bong?

zuma · #15 07-18-2010, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderscreech

I thought about this right after I posted it. I know with glass cutter you use kero, but then I was like "well, drill bits make heat, and heat makes fire, and kerosene is flammable..." and then I had a flashback to the time I lit off a pile of gunpowder in my face...

I don't laugh out loud much but that one did it for me. If you only had pictures of that one.

jp58 · #16 07-18-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 254 stringer

You should just go buy a bong It's easier

I'm not really sure how you would make a bong out of a jager bottle. It really isn't shaped properly for one IMO

Atoz · #17 07-18-2010, 11:24 PM

I made a lamp out of a whiskey bottle in Cub Scouts 30 some-odd years ago and needed to drill a hole to thread the electrical cord through. To drill the hole, I put a lump of modeling clay where I wanted to drill the hole and made a depression in it. I filled the depression with turpentine to use as cutting fluid and drilled away with my Dad's electric drill. Worked for me, but YMMV. Definitely wear eye protection.

If you break the bottle, if gives you an excuse to drink more Jager. I don't see a problem with this.

254 stringer · #18 07-18-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp58

I'm not really sure how you would make a bong out of a jager bottle. It really isn't shaped properly for one IMO

your right but i thought you could make a bong out of anything even a cat

5StringBlues · #19 07-19-2010, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 254 stringer

your right but i thought you could make a bong out of anything even a cat

Good luck with your bong,Blundergeek.

Thunderscreech · #20 07-19-2010, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zuma

I don't laugh out loud much but that one did it for me. If you only had pictures of that one.

Igniting random powders you find inside plastic tubes in your front yard is not the best of ideas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atoz

I made a lamp out of a whiskey bottle in Cub Scouts 30 some-odd years ago and needed to drill a hole to thread the electrical cord through. To drill the hole, I put a lump of modeling clay where I wanted to drill the hole and made a depression in it. I filled the depression with turpentine to use as cutting fluid and drilled away with my Dad's electric drill. Worked for me, but YMMV. Definitely wear eye protection.

If you break the bottle, if gives you an excuse to drink more Jager. I don't see a problem with this.

I'll have to remember this. Modeling clay would do the same thing that putting tape on the spot where the hole is being drilled, as far as keeping the glass from chipping and flying all over the place?