how to put holes in glass bottles other than diamond cutting???

Question

i m doing a project with glass bottles.. for tat i need to connect two bottles directly.. i prefered to cut a hole in bottom side of d bottle using diamond cutter bit.. but it's too costly i can't afford for many bottles.. plz give me a better solution..

Answer 1

What about those tungsten carbide drill bits? They are cheap (particularly in smaller sizes) and will work well if you press steady and use some water for a lube as you drill.

Answer 2

Twist drill bits, regardless of quality or material it's made from, will not work for glass. Diamond bits are the better option. There is a special shape bit that looks similar to a broad arrow tip that is available. It's slower than diamond bits and even more care is needed w/ it than w/ diamond bits. With either bit, make a dam using Play-Dough or plumbers putty around the area to be drilled and keep it full of water while drilling. Don't rush !! Drilling glass takes time & care. Check eBay for some inexpensive diamond bits. The less expensive ones won't drill a lot of holes, but it sounds as if you don't have many holes to drill. They'll last thru a dozen holes or so if you keep the bit cool and take your time. Your local hardware store may have some of the less expensive ones too.

Answer 3

I think, if you are drilling through the bottom of the bottle. This is the thickest part of the bottle and has the greatest strength to it. In fact, the weakness of the bottle is distributed throughout the remainder of the bottle, in most cases. This thick bottom will actually behave more like wood ( can crack under certain circumstances).
For this, I'd use a drill that is capable of acheiving high speed. I'd use a very small size, maybe 1/8 or 1/16 to start with. Once the hole is made you simply bore it out with larger sized drill bits.
Do not apply pressure to the drill though, you want the drill to cut of its own at the highest speed possible, not slow down as you apply pressure and cause it to take larger chunks with each cut.
You want small bits to be removed with each cut at a high speed to help keep it cooled. Use water to cool the drill bit occasionally also. Excessive heat will promote cracking / splintering and prevent as much vibration as possible.

Answer 4

There may not be a more efficient solution. Consider that Glass is not strictly a solid, like Steel. When one wants to change it's shape one heats glass. The BIT also achieves the same result in the process, as well as boring through the thickness,,,turning the glass into a molten state.

Without knowing the rarety of the bottles, or your budget, a bit suitable for glass wouldn't wear like one made to drill through stainless steel.

Answer 5

It could be a bb, a bullet shot from a distance, a rock thrown by someone or by a lawn mower or weed eater, a glass cutter, or some other tiny flying object. You will never know. Best to just repair it and worry about more important things.