Drilling holes in cups and saucers?

Question

I am wanting to make a chandelier with cups and saucers added.Has anyone done this and can give me some directions on how to do?What kind of drill bit?

Answer 1

The material you are trying to place a hole in is very hard and brittle. The process used will require a drill-press, grinding compound (obtain at hardware store) and steel pipe the diameter of the hole you wish to drill. The pipe will also need to be about 3-4 in. long with a 1/2 in. slot cut in the end.

Make a little circular retaining wall of clay around the area where the hole will be drilled. Place the grinding compound in this area and add watter until it is soupy. Place the pipe in the drill-press with the notched end down.

How with the cup/saucer that has the grinding compound applied, place it in the drill-press and apply a steady pressure, but not enough to break the item.

The notch in the pipe will allow the grinding compound to work between the pipe and the cup/saucer to grind a hole in the item. This process will take a while, be patient.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

You definitely want to use a diamond bit. Cups and saucers are very brittle and the hardware store style glass bits or masonry bits will pop off huge chips if not shatter the piece completely.

Tile shops and maybe hobby shops for stained glass or jewelery makers will have diamond bits. Or mail order at a place like this: http://www.dadsrockshop.com/diamond_drills.html

You want the cup or saucer well secured so it can't move, if you use your hands, use a sturdy glove in case you shatter the piece. Use eye protection. Use slow drill speeds, little pressure, and lots of running water.

If you find the drill wanders around and you can't get the hole started right then take a small piece of thin wood and use a normal drill to drill the same size hole in it. Then hot glue the piece of wood to the cup or suacer. Run the diamond drill in the hole in the wood until it is well started in the cup, then carefully pop off the bit of wood and clean up the hot glue.

Answer 4

I'd recommend using a masonary drill bit. Or go to the tiling section of your local hardware store and ask them. The same cutting tools used to drill and cut holes in porcelain bathroom tile should work. A rotozip or dremel tool can also work pretty good for this kind of job. You may want to make a pattern to use as a guide to make perfect circles if they are large similar to the way people do for routers. Ask the people at the store, if they are halfway knowledgable they should know what I mean.

There are also special blades that can fit onto a jigsaw for large holes that you need to make. Or there are some special blades you can add to a coping saw for small hand sawn cuts.

Answer 5

A drill bit to go through glass/ceramic. You can go to any ACE hardware and talk to the people who work there, tell them what your project is and they can direct you to the proper drill bit. You will also need an adhesive that is for that material as well. Pick it up while you are there.

Answer 6

the drill bit should be a diamond tip.

this will allow a nice neat cut.
but a good drill bit is expensive.

Answer 7

Sorry that I don't have your answer, but I think this is a very good question. I've also seen tea cups used as tie backs for curtains and planters for fresh herbs. So I really need to know the answer to your question too!