How To Drill Through Glass

Follow these step-by-step instructions to get a hole where you want it, without breaking the glass.

What to Know Before You Begin Drilling Through Glass

Read these tips before picking up that drill.

Speed

Drilling into glass too quickly can generate heat that will damage the bit. Check the settings on your variable speed drill for its range. The label should say something like “0-1500 rpm.” If you fully depress the trigger, it will turn 1,500 rotations per minute. Squeezing the trigger only halfway causes it to turn at 750 rpm. Release it a bit more and you have 375 rpm. Experiment with this and you’ll be able to guess the speed of the drill by the sound of the motor and how it feels in your hand.

Bits

Drill bits suitable for glass, tile, and other hard surfaces have spear-shaped carbide or diamond tips. They come in a variety of sizes. Purchase a small one, about ⅛-3/32-inch, for starting the holes and others the sizes of holes you wish to create.

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Lubrication

To lessen the build-up of heat and dust while drilling, experts recommend applying a drop or two of lubricating oil to the glass. Any type of oil will work. If you’re working on a vertical surface, use a bit of plumber’s putty or modeling clay to keep the oil from running.

Safety

Secure the glass so it doesn’t slide around. Lay a pane on a flat, cushioned surface or rubber pad. Use a clamp to secure a bottle or other round object to the workbench or use a vise. Also, always wear your personal protective equipment when drilling.

Practice

Since practice makes perfect, try drilling a few practice holes in glass similar to the project you’re working on. And never try to drill through tempered or safety glass. It’s designed to shatter on impact. TIP: You can tell the difference between tempered glass and annealed, or regular plate, glass with the following tests:

Tempered glass has smooth, even edges. The edges of other glass are rough to the touch. You can see dark streaks in tempered glass when viewed in the sunlight through polarized glasses. When you look closely, you can see small imperfections in tempered glass. Scoring produces a clean line on annealed glass. On tempered, scoring leaves flakes and bumps. If you have a full sheet, check the corners for a small stamp that indicates that the glass is tempered.