How to Cut a Hole in a Glass Drafting Table

Glass drafting tables make wonderful places to draw, but its nice to have a light above the table to see what youre doing. You may want to add a light to the table and drill a hole in the glass surface through which to feed the electrical cords. Its not a hard project to complete but requires the use of a special drill bit. After drilling the hole, add a plastic trim ring to protect whatever feeds through the hole. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure the diameter of the hole you want to cut into the glass drafting table. Purchase a diamond drill hole saw with medium grit for holes larger than 1/4 inch or a diamond drill bit for smaller holes. Make sure the hole saw or bit is a diamond, not a carbide, bit.

2

Find the spot on the glass drafting table where you want to drill the hole. Set the drafting table in a flat or horizontal position.

3

Place the diamond hole saw or bit onto a variable speed drill. Have a helper standing by with a spray bottle filled with water to keep the hole saw or drill bit wet as you cut the hole. The hole cutting process needs plenty of lubrication to keep the drill tip cool and the hole clean.

4

Hold the drill vertical to the horizontal surface of the table. Start the diamond hole saw at between 600 and 900 rpm. For a drill bit, start about 2,500 to 5,000 rpm.

5

Apply a slight pressure, light to moderate, but dont push as you drill through the glass. Allow the drill to do the work. Have your helper spray the drill bit continually with a stream of water but avoid getting water into the drill. Use caution with spraying water next to an electrical device.

6

Carefully remove the hole saw or drill bit after punching through the glass. Clean the glass edges by sanding with a medium-grit sandpaper and place a plastic trim ring or collar in the hole to keep the edges from fraying electrical cords drawn through the hole.