How to Drill Holes in Your Sea Glass
- 1). Anchor two small clamps securely to your worktable. Some clamps attach to the table with clips, and others attach with screws. Vice grips that are securely attached to a worktable can also hold sea glass in place as you drill it.
- 2). Anchor a piece of sea glass securely into position with both clamps so that the surface to be drilled faces upward. Make sure the glass does not move. Don't stack two or more pieces of glass--drill only one piece at a time.
- 3). Attach a strip of masking tape to the top surface of the sea glass where you plan to drill the hole. Mark the spot you want to drill with a pencil or pen. The tape isn't strictly necessary, but it will help keep the drill bit from sliding as you begin drilling and lets you designate the spot to set the bit to begin drilling.
- 4). Put on your safety glasses before you begin drilling the glass. Attach the carbide or diamond bit to the drill. The bit size should be equal to the size you want the hole to be. Hold the drill at a 90-degree angle to the sea glass, with the drill bit centered straight down--not angled--and touching the tape.
- 5). Drill straight down into the sea glass. Once the hole is started, it will take time to drill all the way through the glass. Don't try to rush the process.
- 6). Stop drilling periodically to allow the glass to cool for a few minutes. Always position the bit carefully into the hole before you begin drilling again. There's no set rule for how long you should drill before stopping to let the glass cool. Use your best judgment.
- 7). When the drill bit emerges from the opposite end of the glass, you can stop drilling. Carefully pull the bit straight up and out of the glass.
