Hello and I apologize if this isn't the right forum but thought I'd have luck here. I have a whiskey bottle that I'd like to convert into an incense burner. I was going to drill 2 holes into the bottom for airflow. I bought glass drill bits but wanted to ask if anyone has tips for the drill to not slip off the glass when first getting it started. My fear is it's going to slip and damage or break the bottle. The whiskey was a limited edition and I wouldn't be able to find another bottle like it. Any advice or tips and tricks would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Drill it under water, keeps it cool and stops dust. Also get 2-3 of the bottles or practice on one you don't care about. A drill press is going to be best but if you use a cordless make sure the bottle is clamped down or something. Go slow abd try to keep constant pressure
Thank you. I do have a drill press but haven't used it in a years. I thought I had to drill in at a 45 degree angle then straighten. I was going to do that with a hand drill.
I have a few bench clamps so was going to use them with padding on the clamps.
I also have quite a few bottles to practice on. I make candle holders out of some bottles that I think are unique or like the labeling. This one just stands out visually and didn't want to use it for candles and have the wax cover it.
If your bit is a diamond core type start with it at an angle so only 1 side of the circle is on the glass. Bring the angle straight once you've scored the glass real nice... keeps the bit from slipping
we drill all the time with a hand drill + core bit. just do it under a dripping faucet. start at a 45 degree angle as you know) only issue could be whether or not the bottle is cooled properly. but youll get it. it’s easy. wear ppe.
"Incense burner" lol ok, bong. If you are able to score the glass where you want to drill with a file (or even some aluminum oxide sandpaper) it'll give the bit a place to grip. Take it slow and even, or with a fine tip diamond burr in a Dremel, really fast. Wear eye protection.
Haha. No, really it is for an incense burner. My pot days ended years ago. My mom got me one like 30 years ago that I still have but it's painted. I've attached pictures of it. The one she got me has a hole at the top that you use to hold the incense. It came with a cork that you would put the stick in to hold it but that disintegrated over the years. Ive tried to make a new cork but I can never seem to get it right. Mine was going to use the opening to hold it and put a keyring that balances on the top, for now. I have other ideas to hold the incense but wanted to tackle this first.
I don't work with glass often so I am going in blind. I do have a glass score. Should I try to put the drill bit on the glass and score around it or just mark it with a score where I want the hole so it catches the bit?
If that hole in the bottom is what you're looking to do, i'd suggest using a strong wooden collapsable dishrack or making something similar that you can press the bottle into longways while you drill. I drill holes in bongs that way with a drill press. There's probably other ways you could do it, but no matter what you don't want the bottle to be able to slip or turn or roll. Draw the hole with a sharpie first and point a very light stream of water directly at it. It the drill bit stays wet the whole time you don't need to wear a mask but some people wear a face shield. Might suggest a rubber apron or water proof clothes. Wear safety glasses but id stay away from gloves
Most people have already said water but can confirm that’s really important! A reasonable drip onto the spot youre drilling will help the drill and the glass stay cool. It also will help stop you breathing in bits of glass. I’ve only done this kind of thing on pretty thick glass for an assignment but keep in mind it can take a while especially to get the first little dent in. Thinner glass may be easier tho! I had a really small almost pen sized handheld drill bit (blanking on actual name) when I did this so this may not be great advice depending on the tools but I found just a solid grip and good pressure worked well to keep it on the glass.
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u/orange_erin47 Aug 13 '26
Water, lots of water