# Bottle Lamps

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bottle-lamps/300373>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 21, 2005, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bottle-lamps/300373 "2005-04-21T05:01:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![lk1932](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/aeb1de/32.png) [@lk1932](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lk1932)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2005, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bottle-lamps/300373/1 "2005-04-21T05:01:08Z")

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Many years ago, before the invention of the electric drill, people used to make lamps out of fancy whiskey bottles. How was the hole drilled near the bottom of the bottle to pass the cord through?

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**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2005, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bottle-lamps/300373/2 "2005-04-21T06:53:46Z")

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I don’t know the date of when these bottles were produced, but perhaps they used one of [these](http://www.public.coe.edu/~rroeder/main/hand_drills/drill.htm)? I’m sorry I can’t be more certain in GQ.

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**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2005, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bottle-lamps/300373/3 "2005-04-21T06:56:40Z")

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Or perhaps one of [these](http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/product_info.php?cPath=269_451&products_id=1616&osCsid=0fde9dd1f1cf0c0e6ed09631e3a7bb99).

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**Author:** ![lk1932](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/aeb1de/32.png) [@lk1932](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lk1932)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bottle-lamps/300373/4 "2005-04-22T01:15:01Z")

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> [@Joe K](#):
>
> I don’t know the date of when these bottles were produced, but perhaps they used one of [these](http://www.public.coe.edu/~rroeder/main/hand_drills/drill.htm)? I’m sorry I can’t be more certain in GQ.

Joe,  
My guess would also be that they used one of the egg beater type drills also. Doubt if a brace and bit would work.

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**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bottle-lamps/300373/5 "2005-04-22T03:21:43Z")

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> [@lk1932](#):
>
> Joe, My guess would also be that they used one of the egg beater type drills also. Doubt if a brace and bit would work.

Use an 'egg beater ’ hand drill with a hardened triangular bit to drill glass – carefully – very carefully. Preferably under water to restrain flying chips. Wear safety goggles.

Or go first class and buy a set of carbide abrasive drills in assorted small sizes and in larger tubular type sizes.

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**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bottle-lamps/300373/6 "2005-04-22T03:23:52Z")

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Egg-beater drill. I’ve made one using one of those, so it can be done! 😃