Drilling holes in glass help

Can anyone recommend the correct tools for drilling small holes in glass and ceramics?

I have many assorted diamond drill bits but the craft drill I have is no way up to the job of actually drilling holes.

The pieces I am looking to drill are pretty small......

Any suggestions gratefully appreciated Very Happy

arvo

Could you side-step the issue and use some form of setting or glue?

Do you know any local engineering firms? They might have something tiny that would be higher speed.

derbyshiredowser

The only way I know of that is reasonably successful is using the bits that dentists use for drilling teeth ,however even at wholesale these come out at around £1 each and you use 1 bit per piece of glass so this is prohibitive. you can make a "hole" if you are fusing glass by using wire loop, but your glass looks like sea glass so you won't be fusing it. I would use a high quality clear setting jewellers epoxy glue . A guy I know spent over a year trying all sorts of bits and dremel type equipment and it never worked

Hairyloon

I would suggest a diamond tipped bit in a pillar drill, but I don't claim any experience.

SmattyB

Hi,

I did something similar with green glass for 'Festivus' tree decorations. I used my Dremmel and these:

http://www.eternaltools.com/drill-bit-glass.htm

They do work well, but you have to be very carefull close to the edge, I broke quite a few!

M

Calli

Thanks for the replies - I think I may invest in a Dremel and use the diamond drill bits with that.......

I do use cement fixings but would like the option of drilled holes Very Happy

cassy

I use a Dremel and these for drilling agate and they also work on glass. The main problem I've found is holding the drill steady for a long period of time (so as not to apply too much pressure and snap the bit). I'd love to think of a way to use a pillar drill instead or to use the Dremel as one.

Treacodactyl

You can get a pillar drill attachment for a dremels and similar tools, such as:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-Drill-Stand-For-Multi-Tools-20106.htm

You can also get a flexible shaft which makes holding the thing much easier and I expect you could make a stand for it yourself.

Nick

Oooh, a chainsaw sharpener.....Interesting. Anyone used one?

alison

Do you mean the file thing.

My OH does, what do you want to know

Nick

I'm forever sharpening mine. I sometimes do it properly with the little files that allow you to skin your knuckles and swear, and sometimes do a quick and dirty job with the angle grinder. Does the Dremel thing do a good job quickly?

cassy

Treacodactyl wrote:

I didn't know that - thanks! I'll have to have a play with it.

Jamanda

Those bracelets are very pretty. Is that sea glass? I have a load that I haven't got round to doing anything with yet.

Calli

Hi Jamanda

Yes it's sea glass, I just love it Cool

Some of the bits and pieces I have been playing with on here

Shameless hijacking of dd's website Embarassed

dpack

a scaffold clamp drilled and screwed to a bench is a good "dremmel"holder
hand drills are traditional for hard ,small things
for jewelry sized glass ,diamond abrasivs bits will work best unless you want to do needle and self abrading
glue the "rock"to something to hold in a vice
drill in water for minimal fractures

Calli

Oh perfect!! You have just saved me 40 quid Very Happy

Have plenty of scaffold clamps lying around Cool

And yes saw about drilling in water to reduce temperature and remove debris.

dpack

water good
beware electrical dangers though
glueing to a block is very good and makes freehand carving possible
enjoy
eye protection is a nice idea

Calli

Variation on drilling....lol

Wild brownies