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Safely add a hole to any glass pane, bottle, or jar with our guide
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Whether you’re crafting with glass or just need to finish a household project, drilling a hole through a piece of glass is a common step you may have to take. Luckily, with a standard drill and a few other tools, you can easily drill through glass without it breaking or cracking. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through the best drill bits for glass and how to use them to drill a hole through your project .
The Best Way to Drill Through Glass
Tape over the spot where you want to drill a hole. Install a carbide- or diamond-tipped bit on your drill and hold it perpendicular to the glass. Use the lowest speed setting and apply light pressure to help drill through the glass. Keep the glass wet with water to keep it cool and prevent cracking from heat.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
How to Drill Through Glass
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1Secure the glass onto your work surface. Lay a piece of scrap plywood or foam board on your work surface so you don’t accidentally drill into it. Set the glass flat on the wood or styrofoam, and secure plastic clamps around the edges to hold it in place. [1] X Research source
- If you’re drilling a hole in a bottle or jar, lay it horizontally in a small container so it can’t move around.
- Avoid drilling into tempered glass because it’s made to shatter into small pieces when damaged. Tempered glass usually has smooth edges, waves or ripples on the surface, or a stamp certifying that it has gone through the tempering process. [2] X Research source
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2Place tape on the glass and mark where you want the hole. “Wherever you're going to drill, put a piece of [masking] tape over it,” says handyman Jason Philip. Then, mark the exact spot that you want to drill with a marker. The tape will hold the drill bit in place…so it doesn't move at all.”Advertisement
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Install a drill bit made for cutting glass on your drill. A variable-speed drill works best for drilling glass because you can control your drilling speed a lot more easily. Loosen the chuck on your drill to change the bit . Install a glass-cutting drill bit on your drill, and tighten the chuck again. [3] X Research source
- If you want to know what will work best for your project, check our guide on the best drill bits to use below.
- If you need to cut a large hole in a piece of glass, start off with a smaller bit to make a pilot hole. This can help relieve pressure so the glass doesn’t shatter or break.
- Avoid using drill bits made for wood because they could get damaged or cause the glass to chip more easily.
- If you’re drilling through a thin piece of glass, you can also use a Dremel tool with a diamond-tipped attachment .
- Wear safety glasses , a dust mask , and work gloves whenever you drill glass to protect yourself from shards or glass dust.
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4Wet the surface with water or glass cutting oil . Lubricating the glass prevents the drill bit from getting stuck and also prevents glass dust from getting into the air. Spray the water or cutting oil around the area before you start and while you’re drilling into the glass. [4] X Research source
- If you don’t use any lubricant, the glass could get hot and crack.
- If you don’t want to worry about reapplying water or lubricant, shape construction putty into small walls around the spot you’re drilling. Then, pour a little water or oil inside the putty walls so it pools up.
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5Drill through the glass with a low speed setting. Set your drill to its lowest speed setting and hold it so the bit is perpendicular to the glass. Apply very little pressure and slowly drill into the surface. As you drill, continue applying water or oil to keep the drill bit lubricated. When you’ve nearly drilled through the entire piece of glass, reduce the pressure on the drill so the glass doesn’t chip. [5] X Research source
- You can remove the tape once there’s a divot in the glass because the drill bit won’t slip around anymore.
- If you notice any dust or smoke coming from the hole, apply more water or cutting oil to help cool the glass down.
- Avoid using higher speeds on your drill because you’re more likely to damage the glass or drill bit.
EXPERT TIPGlassblowing ExpertsBicycle Glass Co. was founded in 2016 by David Royce and Michael Boyd, two professional glass experts. Bicycle Glass is primarily a lighting company, committed to quality, sustainability, and affordability. All Bicycle Glass products are made of high-quality, recycled glass and are hand-blown by a dedicated team of artisans. The studio is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by conserving energy in all of its production. Using renewable wind energy to offset all electricity usage, the studio is actively working toward the goal of carbon neutrality. Bicycle Glass believes that high-quality, handmade glass products should be within reach for everyone.Always prioritize safety when working with glass. Make sure to wear proper protective gear and carefully handle the glass to prevent cracking and breaking.
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6Smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper or a diamond file . Wet a piece of 80-grit sandpaper or use your file, and rub it back and forth across the cut edges of the hole. Once the edges look smooth, use 150-grit sandpaper to smooth out the edges even more. [6] X Research source
- Depending on how polished or tapered you want the edges of the hole, you can also use 320-grit sandpaper followed by 2,000-grit sandpaper .
- Make sure you’re wearing your gloves when you smooth out the glass because the edges may be sharp.
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7Rinse and clean the glass when you’re finished. Hold the glass under running water or wipe it with a damp cloth to pick up any residual dust and debris on the surface. Then, apply glass cleaner and wipe it up to remove other fingerprints and streaks. [7] X Research source
- Check the glass for any cracks or chips around the edges of the hole. If you still see some, use your sandpaper or diamond file again.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionDo I need a special drill bit for glass?Jason Phillip is a handyman and owner of Iconic Interior Installations based in New York City, New York. With over five years of experience professionally mounting and installing objects through his company, Jason's work includes mounting window AC units, designing art gallery walls, installing kitchen cabinets, and replacing light fixtures on drywall, brick, and plaster. He has been rated a "Top Pro" every year since 2016 by Thumbtack for being one of the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.A diamond drill bit is recommended. However, if you don't have one you can tape the inside and outside of the glass you will be drilling with packaging tape, masking tape, or painter’s tape, right over the spot you plan to drill. This will stop the glass from splintering, and it will hold the drill bit in place.
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QuestionWhat can I use to drill a hole in glass?Jason Phillip is a handyman and owner of Iconic Interior Installations based in New York City, New York. With over five years of experience professionally mounting and installing objects through his company, Jason's work includes mounting window AC units, designing art gallery walls, installing kitchen cabinets, and replacing light fixtures on drywall, brick, and plaster. He has been rated a "Top Pro" every year since 2016 by Thumbtack for being one of the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.A diamond drill bit will work best. Diamonds are a harder substance than glass, so they are perfect for drilling hard substances.
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QuestionCan I use a titanium drill bit for drilling a small hole in a glass from a picture frame?Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.To drill a small hole in glass, I recommend using the diamond bit rather than a titanium one.
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Tips
- Use a drill press if you have access to one so it’s easier to drill a straight hole through the glass.Thanks
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Warnings
- Always wear eye, mouth, and nose protection so you stay safe from glass shards and dust.Thanks
- Do not wear loose clothing or long, dangling accessories like necklaces, bracelets, and shirts with long fringes while using a drill.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Variable-speed drill
- Carbide-tipped or diamond-tipped drill bits
- Sandpaper or diamond file
- Water or glass cutting oil
- Masking tape
- Safety glasses
- Dust mask
- Work gloves
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/mi-Mpami0bA?t=62
- ↑ https://apextemperedglass.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-glass-is-tempered/
- ↑ https://www.tivoly.com/en/glass-drill-guide
- ↑ https://youtu.be/mi-Mpami0bA?t=100
- ↑ https://youtu.be/mi-Mpami0bA?t=118
- ↑ https://youtu.be/t2sT8SNHvUY?t=42
- ↑ https://www.tivoly.com/en/glass-drill-guide
- ↑ https://www.tivoly.com/en/glass-drill-guide
- ↑ https://ruwag.co.za/blogs/news/which-drill-bit-is-best-for-drilling-glass
About This Article
Article Summary
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Before drilling glass, make sure it isn’t tempered or “safety” glass, which will shatter if you try to drill it. This type of glass is usually used for things like car windows or shower doors. Use a carbide drill bit that’s designed for glass and tile. Diamond drill bits also work for glass. Before drilling, put on safety goggles and a long-sleeved shirt. If possible, place the piece of glass in a container lined with newspaper for extra stability. Cover the spot where you want to drill with a piece of thick cardboard or tape. Mist the glass and drill bit with water as you drill to keep the bit from overheating. Start drilling at a very slow speed with a small bit until you make a dimple in the glass, then remove the cardboard or tape. Drill faster, at around 400 rpm, then ease back again when you think the bit is about to break through the glass. Be careful not to press down hard, or you could shatter the glass. To learn other types of drill bits you can use for drilling holes in glass, read on!
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- "This was a nice refresher. I have drilled tens of thousands of holes in all different kinds of glass, but it has been a while. This article was a good reminder of the process and helped prevent any 'rookie' mistakes as I get back into glass drilling. Thank you!" ..." more
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"This was a nice refresher. I have drilled tens of thousands of holes in all different kinds of glass, but it has been a while. This article was a good reminder of the process and helped prevent any 'rookie' mistakes as I get back into glass drilling. Thank you!"
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"Not knowing at all about drilling holes in glass, I've tried many times before with the same results: cracked, broken, or drill bit kept sliding around. Who ever wrote this article, thank you very much. I am 51 and still learning, thanks for the knowledge for life."
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"I was prepared with the equipment necessary to accomplish this project, but upon reading through this, was reminded of the safety precautions. There were a couple that I had not thought of. "
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"It was helpful to learn that it is necessary to gradually change drill bits, to use different/slow speed settings, and to utilize water or coolant while drilling."
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