How to Drill Holes in a Glass Bottle

Intro: How to Drill Holes in a Glass Bottle

Does drilling in glass seem difficult?

Do you have a project or craft that requires you to drill glass?

With some basic tools and setup drilling glass is not that difficult. The most important part is using the correct bit. The bit has to be harder than the glass. Never drill tempered glass and remember safety since you are working with power tools and glass.

Follow the steps below and you can do the same.

STEP 1: Making a Jig for Drilling a Glass Bottle

The jig used for drilling a glass bottle is very simple to make. It is important is to make sure everything is lined up so the bottle will sit secure in the jig and on the drill press. The wood used was just from my scrap pile so it was not expensive.

Materials

Small piece of 2x4

Piece of plywood

4 wood screws

One bottle

Tools

saw

drill press

hole saw

STEP 2: Setting Up the Bottle

The top and bottom of the bottle circumference are measured and a hole saw is matched. Finding the right height on the blocks is important so the bottle stays level in the jig. When everything is line up the two blocks are screwed into the base plywood. Two screws are in each block, so when one of the screws is removed the block will swivel and the bottle can be removed easily.

STEP 3: Supplies

Pipette: A pipette or dropper is used to transfer water to the dam. You can apply very small amounts of water and this will help keep things tidy so you don't get water all over the place.

Plumbers Putty: The putty is used to make a dam to hold a small amount of water for the drilling. The water helps you drill faster and keeps the bit cooler and the bit will stay sharp longer.

Diamond Coated Hole Saw Bit: This will cut the glass. It sounds expensive but it is not, I bought mine on sale for around $8.00. The hole saw works best at low speeds (100 to 200 rpm).

STEP 4: Drilling the Glass

Now for the fun part. When everything is stable and lined up it will be easy to drill in the bottle. The bit will make funny noises when drilling into the glass but this is good as you can tell how much pressure to use. To prevent “heat shock,” use the pipette and add some water. Water keeps everything cool and actually helps the hole saw cut a little faster. Work slow and you will be fine. Since I was drilling two holes I rotated the bottle and drilled the other side. The small pieces of glass that fall inside the bottle can just be shaken out.

STEP 5: Conclusion

The bottle drilling turned out great, I made this for my next video which was the Impossible ring through glass bottle.

Drilling glass is not that hard as long as you do it right and follow these steps. I hope this article will help you.

Have you ever drilled glass and what did you make?

Comments

[wharris25]

Do you have a jig idea for drilling a hole in the bottom of a glass bottle, like a wine bottle?

[FabianA11]

This 5 step project is awesome. I have to try this. I'm a guy that likes no loves to tinker around with things. Thank you i enjoyed your article here.

[yoemilio]

Un buen trabajo, ingenioso y practico. Muchas gracias.

[Jack Houweling]

Thank you!

[Seeed Studio]

That's cool, man.

[Jack Houweling]

Thanks for checking it out.

[DIYJRAY]

Nice instructions! Do you have any tips for someone without a drill press?

[DanW36]

You can buy molding plastic and put it on the bottle and drill through the plastic first which will hold the bit in place while drilling through the glass

[Jack Houweling]

Thanks for the information.

[DIYJRAY]

That's a good tip!

[Jack Houweling]

If you can build the jig you can try the same as I did with a cordless drill. When you drill you have to start at an angle and go slow. Let me know how it works.

[MarkL113]

a dremel with a diamond bit works well [sphere shape]

[Jack Houweling]

I will have to try that, thanks!

[Raitis]

Just drill it with a handheld drill and diamond holesaw. You might want a guide for starters since it's tricky to get the initial groove nice and steady (if completely handheld, do it while drilling at an 45 degree angle to the glass, then straighten out).

[Jack Houweling]

Thanks for the good tips.

[TheOriginalNerd]

There's another instructable: https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Drill-a-Hol... where they use a hand drill and instamorph to make a guide. They drill under water to lube and cut down on glass dust in the air.

[DIYJRAY]

Thank you!

[Jack Houweling]

Raitis, thanks for the information.

[DanW36]

Preferably use cordless drill because you should have it submerged in water or water running on it to lengthen the bit life

[MarkL113]

a dremel with a diamond bit works well [sphere shape]