In this video I will show you how to drill a hole in glass / ceramic, the process is the same for either. I will show how to drill the hole with both a hand drill and a drill press, there are slight differences.
Thank you sooooooooo much. another you tuber gave tip that you can get a set of 10 diamond circle hole bits from eBay for $10!!!!!! was able to avoid slipping by not pressing. I made a drain hole in a BEAUTIFUL Mexican vase! Awesome! Now I’m looking around this house more things to drill!!
Thank you! I’ve been wanting to do this for years and finally bought a bit yesterday. I especially appreciate the comparison between the hand drill and the drill press.
This was very helpful, AND I never thought of using a drill press! I have just a cordless hand power drill to use, but I know someone with a drill press, and I plan to ask him for help. Thanks.
Some said use Masonry drill bits. I wanted to drill on several mugs and I have some terra cotta pots that I want to enlarge the holes. If I don't have daimond drill bits, would Masonry drill bits work ?
Thanks for sharing and the details. What about the tip of using masking or painters tape in x pattern - it help keep the bit from slipping around. Are there step bits for pottery like formetal?. I’m trying to determine the best way to make large holes (1/4” to 3/4” depending on size of pot). in clay pots for orchids - was advised to make a hole and then use another bit to burr it out but it is so slow. I’m probably doing it wrong. Have you tried these neat tungsten carbide bits - see video below - he used a tungsten carbide hole saw and the tungsten carbide spear points - super fast. Don’t know about glass. But he didn’t have any breakage and no water needed or he didn’t use any. He has a shop so I assume he knows what he is doing...fooled me anyway. 🙃 I hadn’t seen anybody drill that quick and no breakage. . For my plastic pots, I just use a wood burning tool and slick as a whistle, got holes any size I want. Soldering iron works too. If I could make holes in pottery as easy, I would be elated. m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ww7fVhhgZiE.html
Awesome vid. This gave me some ideas for making garden pots for my garden. I have a question though. When your drilling through glass bottles in the water should you wear some kind of protective gloves? I almost feel like the tiny particles of glass floating around in the water would irritate your skin.
You could, but it's not like chunks of glass floating in the water. It's more of a fine dust. But you should practice safety whenever you try something new, so by all means....
Question, I’m wanting to make a sink out of an old wash basin bowl, would it be better to drill inside of the ceramic bowl or from the bottom? I’m just worried about chips around the edge of the hole.? Thank you, your video was very useful!
Hi Wendy. when I am drilling my glass bottles, I have found that I can see chips on the inside of the bottle when I push too hard on the drill and the last bit of glass snaps rather than gets drilled with my drill bit. Does that make sense? It seems like I'm pushing a bit too hard on the drill and the glass just gives (or snaps) when the glass gets almost to the end. I don't typically have problems with chips when I first get started, so I would probably tackle it from the top. You just want to make sure that you have a steady hand and that your drill doesn't jump around. It may help to put a bit of painters tape down over the place that you want to drill so that the bit doesn't jump around. I would pick up a couple of bowls from Goodwill though and practice a few holes first though. Good luck.
Use common sense. But, I never use protective gear and I drilled in cement, metal, wood. MY BAD.. The only time I do is with high speed drilling with my "Dremel."
The water should prevent the dust from going everywhere, but I'd wear some goggles or just turn away a little bit to be safe. It doesn't take a big piece of debris to ruin your day
Have you tried padding the drill press head where it would contact the glass to prevent splits? And tape the glass? Seems like if you could buffer the contact when the drill breaks through, it might help.
I have a small knock-knack glass or porcelain figurine. I need to drill a small hole in the bottom so I can fill the figurine and the seal it shut. What do you recommend? Thanks
What if I want 2 make holes on the sides of the ceramic pots 2 ?? Is it possible!? Than I would put a tea light candle in it. & the light will spill out from all the holes. It will look so beautiful 👌🏻 What say!? 🤔 🙏🏻 Mumbai India 🇮🇳
Hi! Could you do this on bisque ceramics? For example, the ready to paint bisque figurines? I’m not sure if I would be able to keep water on the figure. Could I submerge it in water?
Hi, just a fellow crafter here. Bisque could be submerged for a short while but it WILL absorb water. So you’ll have to let it dry before glazing. It’s going to be soft & will scratch if you’re not careful. Otherwise- why not?! Have fun!!!
Looks easy. I bought a very old pottery art piece (Aztec pot) which may be expensive and I want to drill a small hole on the bottom corner to attach a security wire tether (for anti-theft purposes). The pottery is not glazed. What drill bit (and drill speed) would you recommend so I don't crack the pottery?. Thanks, great video!
Hey Tony. That sounds like a scary proposition. You absolutely run the risk of cracking it. I can crack a glass liquor bottle that I may have drilled repeatedly in the past with great success. So no guarantees that you won't also crack that beautiful pottery. I would suggest practicing several times on something that is similar to the piece you want to drill a hole in. And you should definitely use a diamond bit like the one I used in the video.honestly, I have never paid attention to drill speed it's more about how much pressure you put on the drill. if you push too hard all at once you can easily crack your piece, practice definitely helps work that out. Goooood luck!!
If you damage it with a hole I doubt anyone will want to steal it anyway as you'll be lessening it's value! Personally I don't think it's right to cause damage to an item that's been around so long; you should look after it & preserve it for those who will own it in the future. You don't 'own' something like that; you just are a custodian for now.
How do you mean drill the top? Tell me what you're trying to drill and what the direction the hole is going - ie, perpendicular to the existing bottle opening or parallel?
It's by Skil, which I believe I picked up at Lowe's. But Harbor freight has a less expensive version that will get the job done as long as you are using the correct bit.
I got a set of 5 at Walmart for under $15. I've been drilling holes like crazy and they still work like the first time. Less than 30 seconds to make a hole.
