How To Drill a Hole in Glass

OnTheFly...DIY
by OnTheFly...DIY
5 Materials
$15
10 Minutes
Easy

I’ve received lots of requests for a video on drilling into glass so let’s do one! This technique will work on bottles, like wine and olive oil, vases, tile, and much more!

You’ll need: (affiliate link proceeds on my blog help support no-kill animal shelters and rescue organizations. Do your Amazon shopping through these links to help raise monthly donations ❤ ):


A cordless drill, safety glasses, and a diamond bit.

Diamond bits come in different sizes so make sure you chose the right size for your particular project before drilling.

You'll also need running water – I’m using my kitchen sink for this. You’ll need enough room so the water can run over the spot where you’ll be making the hole. If you have an item that absolutely won't fit in the kitchen sink, you could try the tub or have someone help hold a low-flowing garden hose over the spot while you drill.

A glass item – I’ll be making a hole in this glass light fixture cover. I've used the same technique on wine bottles, olive oil bottles, vases, and tiles.

First, wear those safety glasses before you start drilling!! 😁

Run a gentle stream of water on the spot where you’ll be drilling. Beginning at an angle, start the drill and carefully hold it steady as it starts to create a divot.

Once you have a bit of a divot, slowly straighten the angle out until you are drilling straight into the glass.

Go slow, don’t apply too much pressure, and let the drill do the work. The water keeps the temperature down so the glass doesn’t crack. I highly recommend using a cordless drill so you aren’t plugged into an electrical outlet while working with water. Also be careful not to get water on the drill itself. The bit will be fine but the drill should not be subjected to the water.

Once through, rinse the glass and ensure that the glass plug you just drilled out does not go down the drain!

Once you finish drilling the hole, you can use your glass in other projects. I used this globe in a bubbling Glass Globe Fountain - (you can find the specific tutorial for this full project in my profile) -

I've also used this technique to drill multiple holes in a glass item. You can make this stunning Vortex Water Feature (see my profile for the specific directions on this one, too!)

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial on how to drill a hole in glass at the below link:

Suggested materials:
  • Drill   (https://amzn.to/3rrIpoO)
  • Safety glasses   (https://amzn.to/3gmCZVE)
  • Diamond bit   (https://amzn.to/3gjwMd2)
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