How to drill through glass? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

01-08-2004, 12:19 AM

Does anyone know how to drill through glass?

I searched on google and this is what I got.

To Drill through glass you will need the following materials:

Piece of steel wire.

File

First: File the wire to the shape of the Drill. The wire must be tempered in the following way:

1. Heat End of Wire-Drill on an open flame until it is a faded or dull red color.

2. After heated Place in Metallic Mercury. (caution This is a Hazardous substance)

The wire drill in this manner will bore through glass very easy.

To lubricate the drill (always do this when drilling Glass) Use oil of turpentine with a small amount of camphor.

3. Start to drill. Careful not go drill the entire way through one side of the glass because you will cause the glass to break if you do so.

4. Drill part of the way through, almost all the way. Then finish my drilling from the opposite side of the glass.

If you are unable to do this then, as when you are drilling through items such as bottles, place in water or fill with water.

WORD TO THE WISE: When you create your drill, do not make the edges to sharp also do not make the cutting edge to acute. This will cause the Drill to cut a little slower but you will end up with a cleaner result, with less breakage and less holes.

Does anyone know what kind of wire they are talking about? and where could you get mercury? I see these directions on a lot of websites so I think it works but Im confused on what they are talking about.

Locobot · 01-08-2004, 02:53 AM

I'll only help you if you can garantee me that this is for bong-construction purposes.

dailyjo2003 · 01-08-2004, 08:09 AM

Take it to place that sells and cuts glass

Scorpion23 · 01-08-2004, 10:01 AM

By the way they're talking, it's almost like you take a steel rod and file it into the shape of a drill bit. The only handy sources of mercury that I know of are old thermometers and tilt switches. But you have to be careful since the mercury may vaporize slightly when you stick the red-hot wire in it.

I used to know a guy that drilled holes in bottles to use as incense burners. He used diamond-tippd drill bits on a drill press so the angle would stay constant. It gave nice clean holes, just go slow and it should work out fine.

Mister B · 01-08-2004, 03:20 PM

If you are scared about the glass breaking or shattering while drilling, wrap tape around the glass.

Lebell · 01-08-2004, 04:38 PM

Umm, just use a diamond tipped glass drill bit and take it slow and easy.

For small holes, use in a Dremel mototool.

For larger ones, I would probably use a drill press or take it to a shop. They'll probably charge you a couple of bucks max.

01-08-2004, 05:31 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. Im def. am gonna go to home depot to look for a bit. Thanks for all the tips also.

noblejr · 01-08-2004, 09:30 PM

I used to make lamps out of coke bottles. I would use a dremel-like tool with a "burr" drill bit (a small rounded bit, like a dentist would use). If I drilled too much at once, the bottle would heat up too quickly and crack, so I just took my time and once I had drilled through I used a polishing stone bit to smooth out the edges of the hole.

GuttersnipeXL · 01-11-2004, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Locobot
I'll only help you if you can garantee me that this is for bong-construction purposes.

As soon as I read the title of the thread...I knew it was for bong related purposes. I'd be quite suprised if it wasn't!

zer010gic · 01-12-2004, 08:05 AM

Use a diamond tipped bit and some wd-40 to cool the spot you are drilling and you sould be fine. I have accually dont this before and thats the method I used.

mtsgsd · 01-13-2004, 07:05 AM

by a glass drill bit in any hardware store. Odd looking spear point shaped drill. Keep the speed down as spec.'d in the instructions. Much simpler.

theguyondacouch · 01-17-2004, 10:25 AM

I use a dremel at VERY low speeds with a diamond tip bit. it normally used for engraving, but it works good for slow removal of glass. Just be sure to run it at like 1500 rpm MAX!!!

moonstrucksoul · 01-17-2004, 04:38 PM

oooooh now i can make my SoBe bong, thanks

theguyondacouch · 01-17-2004, 06:23 PM

HAH! im not the only one with a sobe bong then!

floydthebarber · 01-24-2004, 01:30 AM

As above ....use a dremel.

krwlz · 01-24-2004, 05:39 PM

Well, we used the glass drilling bit the other day. Worked great. About 7 bucks for a 3/8" bit I think.

Finished off with the dremel.

clavus · 01-25-2004, 01:05 PM

Drill it under running tap water to keep things cool.

lrsurfer · 01-27-2004, 02:41 PM

Make sure you put a paper tape over the glass before you drill, it will prevent drill from slipping

clavus · 01-27-2004, 04:52 PM

Not that I'd know anythign about this, but if you have a metal stem for your bond, you are going to want an oval hole. The stem is going to go in at an angle, not perpendicular to the side of the bottle. So drill a hole, then use a Dremmel to grind it to the right shape...OR - drill a hole that is much to big, and use silicone to fill the gaps.

Also, it's best to use a grommet, so you can slide the stem out later if need be.

LStanley · 01-27-2004, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clavus
Not that I'd know anythign about this, but if you have a metal stem for your bond, you are going to want an oval hole. The stem is going to go in at an angle, not perpendicular to the side of the bottle. So drill a hole, then use a Dremmel to grind it to the right shape...OR - drill a hole that is much to big, and use silicone to fill the gaps.

Also, it's best to use a grommet, so you can slide the stem out later if need be.

lol you crack me up

EruptiveDreamz · 01-28-2004, 02:58 PM

I don't know .. but a friend of mine shared with me that he bought a bit for his dremel to drill thru glass with and he drilled holes into yes bad bad light bulb and didn't think he accomplished anything. Till after he put the lightbulb aside and noticed all these lil pieces of glass he had drill in the tips of his fingers. Embedded! Obviously the bit worked and he got what was justified because of the reasoning he was drilling the holes.

nate_dawg · 02-02-2004, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clavus
Not that I'd know anythign about this, but if you have a metal stem for your bond, you are going to want an oval hole. The stem is going to go in at an angle, not perpendicular to the side of the bottle. So drill a hole, then use a Dremmel to grind it to the right shape...OR - drill a hole that is much to big, and use silicone to fill the gaps.

Also, it's best to use a grommet, so you can slide the stem out later if need be.

sheesh, how about a glass slide?
no need to drill another hole for the carb then

plus you dont get that icky metallicky taste. if you're making a glass bong, might as well do it right and go all glass.

MSD · 08-19-2004, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EruptiveDreamz

I don't know .. but a friend of mine shared with me that he bought a bit for his dremel to drill thru glass with and he drilled holes into yes bad bad light bulb and didn't think he accomplished anything. Till after he put the lightbulb aside and noticed all these lil pieces of glass he had drill in the tips of his fingers. Embedded! Obviously the bit worked and he got what was justified because of the reasoning he was drilling the holes.

So the light bulb bomb isn't just a myth?

tropple · 08-20-2004, 03:28 PM

Oh,, absolutely not. But it's usually much more efficient to go in from the bottom. It used to be that you could heat and remove the base of the bulb. I don't know if it's still possible. It's been a long time.

kazoo · 08-20-2004, 08:00 PM

This has to be bong-related. I've read this same inquiry a half-dozen times since joining the board. HELLO???

The least you guys can do is bring Doritos.

BHabarow · 08-26-2004, 02:43 AM

Seems you've already got the answers you wanted, but when it comes to drilling holes in glass bottles, you can fill the bottle with sand and use a regular drill bit. Works for certain. I'm assuming the sand stops the vibration in the glass (cause of breakage) when cutting? Anyway. Good luck with whatever you were doing.. oh yes, the bong. Hazah!

Sp0rAdiC · 03-12-2006, 06:32 PM

I know this is a really old thread, but I figured this question fit. I have a glass slide for my bong, and I really want to add a carb to the slide because it has a chamber that fills up with smoke and then... just sits there. I want to be able to clear the chamber and then remove the slide. So what I'm asking is: Is the procedure for cutting blown glass any different than cutting bottles?

01-08-2004, 12:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
mciprepaid Guest	How to drill through glass? Does anyone know how to drill through glass? I searched on google and this is what I got. To Drill through glass you will need the following materials: Piece of steel wire. File First: File the wire to the shape of the Drill. The wire must be tempered in the following way: 1. Heat End of Wire-Drill on an open flame until it is a faded or dull red color. 2. After heated Place in Metallic Mercury. (caution This is a Hazardous substance) The wire drill in this manner will bore through glass very easy. To lubricate the drill (always do this when drilling Glass) Use oil of turpentine with a small amount of camphor. 3. Start to drill. Careful not go drill the entire way through one side of the glass because you will cause the glass to break if you do so. 4. Drill part of the way through, almost all the way. Then finish my drilling from the opposite side of the glass. If you are unable to do this then, as when you are drilling through items such as bottles, place in water or fill with water. WORD TO THE WISE: When you create your drill, do not make the edges to sharp also do not make the cutting edge to acute. This will cause the Drill to cut a little slower but you will end up with a cleaner result, with less breakage and less holes. Does anyone know what kind of wire they are talking about? and where could you get mercury? I see these directions on a lot of websites so I think it works but Im confused on what they are talking about.

01-08-2004, 10:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	By the way they're talking, it's almost like you take a steel rod and file it into the shape of a drill bit. The only handy sources of mercury that I know of are old thermometers and tilt switches. But you have to be careful since the mercury may vaporize slightly when you stick the red-hot wire in it. I used to know a guy that drilled holes in bottles to use as incense burners. He used diamond-tippd drill bits on a drill press so the angle would stay constant. It gave nice clean holes, just go slow and it should work out fine. __________________ "Empirically observed covariation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for causality" - Edward Tufte

01-08-2004, 03:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mister B Insane Location: Burbs of St.Lou	If you are scared about the glass breaking or shattering while drilling, wrap tape around the glass. __________________ "Little racoons and old possums 'n' stuff all live up in here. They've got to have a little place to sit." Bob Ross.

01-08-2004, 04:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lebell Cracking the Whip Location: Sexymama's arms...	Umm, just use a diamond tipped glass drill bit and take it slow and easy. For small holes, use in a Dremel mototool. For larger ones, I would probably use a drill press or take it to a shop. They'll probably charge you a couple of bucks max. __________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate!

01-12-2004, 08:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
zer010gic Over caffeinated Location: One Step Closer to the Edge	Use a diamond tipped bit and some wd-40 to cool the spot you are drilling and you sould be fine. I have accually dont this before and thats the method I used. __________________ Zer010giC

01-08-2004, 02:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
Locobot is awesome!	I'll only help you if you can garantee me that this is for bong-construction purposes.

01-08-2004, 08:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
dailyjo2003 Tilted	Take it to place that sells and cuts glass

01-08-2004, 05:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
mciprepaid Guest	Thanks for all the feedback. Im def. am gonna go to home depot to look for a bit. Thanks for all the tips also.

01-08-2004, 09:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
noblejr Crazy Location: Atlanta	I used to make lamps out of coke bottles. I would use a dremel-like tool with a "burr" drill bit (a small rounded bit, like a dentist would use). If I drilled too much at once, the bottle would heat up too quickly and crack, so I just took my time and once I had drilled through I used a polishing stone bit to smooth out the edges of the hole.

01-13-2004, 07:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
mtsgsd Addict Location: Wisconsin, USA	by a glass drill bit in any hardware store. Odd looking spear point shaped drill. Keep the speed down as spec.'d in the instructions. Much simpler.

01-17-2004, 10:25 AM	#12 (permalink)
theguyondacouch salmon? Location: Outside Providence	I use a dremel at VERY low speeds with a diamond tip bit. it normally used for engraving, but it works good for slow removal of glass. Just be sure to run it at like 1500 rpm MAX!!! __________________ "Lick my frozen metal ass!"

01-17-2004, 04:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
moonstrucksoul hovering in the distance Location: the land of milk and honey	oooooh now i can make my SoBe bong, thanks __________________ no signature required

01-17-2004, 06:23 PM	#14 (permalink)
theguyondacouch salmon? Location: Outside Providence	HAH! im not the only one with a sobe bong then! __________________ "Lick my frozen metal ass!"

01-24-2004, 01:30 AM	#15 (permalink)
floydthebarber Insane Location: ?	As above ....use a dremel. __________________ wish you were here

01-24-2004, 05:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
krwlz Fledgling Dead Head Location: Clarkson U.	Well, we used the glass drilling bit the other day. Worked great. About 7 bucks for a 3/8" bit I think. Finished off with the dremel.

01-25-2004, 01:05 PM	#17 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	Drill it under running tap water to keep things cool. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

01-27-2004, 02:41 PM	#18 (permalink)
lrsurfer Banned	Make sure you put a paper tape over the glass before you drill, it will prevent drill from slipping

01-27-2004, 04:52 PM	#19 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	Not that I'd know anythign about this, but if you have a metal stem for your bond, you are going to want an oval hole. The stem is going to go in at an angle, not perpendicular to the side of the bottle. So drill a hole, then use a Dremmel to grind it to the right shape...OR - drill a hole that is much to big, and use silicone to fill the gaps. Also, it's best to use a grommet, so you can slide the stem out later if need be. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

01-28-2004, 02:58 PM	#21 (permalink)
EruptiveDreamz Crazy Location: Good Ol' Iowa.. Home of The Hawkeyes	I don't know .. but a friend of mine shared with me that he bought a bit for his dremel to drill thru glass with and he drilled holes into yes bad bad light bulb and didn't think he accomplished anything. Till after he put the lightbulb aside and noticed all these lil pieces of glass he had drill in the tips of his fingers. Embedded! Obviously the bit worked and he got what was justified because of the reasoning he was drilling the holes. __________________ Can you imagine Moses asking Congress to pass the ten commandments?

08-20-2004, 03:28 PM	#24 (permalink)
tropple Junkie	Oh,, absolutely not. But it's usually much more efficient to go in from the bottom. It used to be that you could heat and remove the base of the bulb. I don't know if it's still possible. It's been a long time. __________________ +++++++++++Boom!

08-20-2004, 08:00 PM	#25 (permalink)
kazoo Psycho Location: Where the night things are	This has to be bong-related. I've read this same inquiry a half-dozen times since joining the board. HELLO??? The least you guys can do is bring Doritos. __________________ There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy

08-26-2004, 02:43 AM	#26 (permalink)
BHabarow Upright Location: Albury, NSW, Australia	Seems you've already got the answers you wanted, but when it comes to drilling holes in glass bottles, you can fill the bottle with sand and use a regular drill bit. Works for certain. I'm assuming the sand stops the vibration in the glass (cause of breakage) when cutting? Anyway. Good luck with whatever you were doing.. oh yes, the bong. Hazah!

03-12-2006, 06:32 PM	#27 (permalink)
Sp0rAdiC Insane Location: VT	I know this is a really old thread, but I figured this question fit. I have a glass slide for my bong, and I really want to add a carb to the slide because it has a chamber that fills up with smoke and then... just sits there. I want to be able to clear the chamber and then remove the slide. So what I'm asking is: Is the procedure for cutting blown glass any different than cutting bottles?