# How To Pierce Glass Bottles? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 15, 2003, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022 "2003-12-15T00:08:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zabrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/dbc845/32.png) [@zabrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zabrain)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/1 "2003-12-15T00:08:20Z")
I want to pierce a whole in a glass wine bottle. Is there a simple way to do this? I realize that glass will turn fluid when heated and I suppose a diamond drill bit might bore through glass. Has anyone pierced glass with these methods? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![zabrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/dbc845/32.png) [@zabrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zabrain)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/2 "2003-12-15T00:15:02Z")
I normally wouldn’t correct a typo, but … ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/3 "2003-12-15T00:34:21Z")
How big a hole do you need? For small holes, a diamond bit, used under water, will do the trick. [http://www.thestorefinder.com/wwwboard/messages/21116.html](http://www.thestorefinder.com/wwwboard/messages/21116.html) Be prepared to bust a few bottles while learning how to do this. For larger holes, you can make your own hole saw by cutting 6 slots in the end of a piece of thinwall copper tubing. Use a wet paste of #80 grit aluminum oxide or similar abrasive to charge the saw. Again, the trick is to keep things cool. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/4 "2003-12-15T01:05:13Z")
Hopefully needless to say, but electric drill + makeshift water-cooling = recipe for electrocution - exercise extreme care and make sure that you use an inline RCD. ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/5 "2003-12-15T01:11:39Z")
It might be a good idea to gaff tape up the bottle first - safer if it breaks. The tape also acts as a support to hold the bit when first starting to drill. A champagne bottle may be less likely to break although it would be a heavier bong. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/6 "2003-12-15T01:29:49Z")
Depending on how large a hole you desire, a diamond burr used in a Dremel Moto-Tool should be fine for a tiny hole. Glass is not unlike ceramic tile, yes? I regularly drill holes in tile using a carbide tipped bit, running slowly with a dribbler bottle of water (old shampoo container) to keep the tip cool. If you need to purchase a bit, your local big box should have something suitable for small holes, or you can buy online from a vast array of suppliers. Try a Google of “Glass drill bit”. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/7 "2003-12-15T01:50:15Z")
Glass will expand more readily on heating than will ceramic tile - causing the cutting tool to jam and crack the glass. ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/8 "2003-12-15T02:03:16Z")
What would happen if you filled the bottle with water? Would it allow the heat to transfer faster? I have drilled holes with a drill press, notched tubing,valve grinding compound, and water. 5/16th brake line tubing. Worked fo me. ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/9 "2003-12-15T02:06:16Z")
I have cut the bottoms off soda bottles with a Dremel tool equipped with a diamond blade… ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/10 "2003-12-15T02:22:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Garfield226 \* > \*\*I have cut the bottoms off soda bottles with a Dremel tool equipped with a diamond blade… \*\* You can rig a jig for a common glass cutter to scribe a circle around the bottle, and then knock the bottom off by tapping gently from the inside of the bottle with a weight on the end of a coat hanger. It’s much easier than cutting all the way around with a saw. They sold a kit for doing this back in the 70’s, but you might have to make it yourself these days. ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/11 "2003-12-15T02:27:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Squink \* > \*\*You can rig a jig for a common glass cutter to scribe a circle around the bottle, and then knock the bottom off by tapping gently from the inside of the bottle with a weight on the end of a coat hanger. It’s much easier than cutting all the way around with a saw. They sold a kit for doing this back in the 70’s, but you might have to make it yourself these days. \*\* I tried using a regular glass cutter, but it didn’t seem to be making much progress, as the glass was much too thick near the bottom of the bottle for it to be effective. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/12 "2003-12-15T02:44:39Z")
Apparently they still make the things: [http://www.glassmart.com/ebc.asp](http://www.glassmart.com/ebc.asp) This one looks to be a better design than the ones sold in the 70’s. Rather than inside hammering, they use a candle an an ice cube to force the crack around the bottle. It probably still gets tricky if you want to cut way down where the glass gets thick on the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/13 "2003-12-15T03:33:28Z")
Large holes (say over 1/2") are (or used to be) drilled with core drills. These are thin cylindrical shells made of a matrix of plated metal and diamond dust plated on a core and then the core punched out. Corning used to buy these by the hundreds. ---
**Author:** ![zabrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/dbc845/32.png) [@zabrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zabrain)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/14 "2003-12-15T04:10:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by antechinus \* > \*\*It might be a good idea to gaff tape up the bottle first - safer if it breaks. The tape also acts as a support to hold the bit when first starting to drill. > > A champagne bottle may be less likely to break although it would be a heavier _bong_. \*\* Sheesh, ask about putting a hole in a bottle and everyone thinks you’re a pothead. I’ll have you know that there will be no bong making, this is an incense holder. 😉 But, seriously, I was pleased to see all the responses and wrapping the bottle with tape is an excellent idea for most of these methods. To further elaborate on the hole; it will be roughly 1/4 - 3/8. I plan to hang a stick type incense into the mouth of a wine bottle and have the smoke chug out. The hole will allow air to draft through the bottle. While I’m looking for an appropriate drill bit, what about heating up the glass and punching something through. Or maybe, heating up the tool and shoving it in. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/15 "2003-12-15T04:46:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by antechinus \* > **…gaff tape up the bottle first…** A Down-Under thing perhaps? Is “gaff tape”: a) Masking tape b) Duct tape c) Electrical tape d)??? ---
**Author:** ![factorylife5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@factorylife5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/factorylife5)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/16 "2003-12-15T05:01:27Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by zabrain \* \*\*Sheesh, ask about putting a hole in a bottle and everyone thinks you’re a pothead. I’ll have you know that there will be no bong making, this is an incense holder. 😉 But, seriously, I was pleased to see all the responses and wrapping the bottle with tape is an excellent idea for most of these methods. To further elaborate on the hole; it will be roughly 1/4 - 3/8. I plan to hang a stick type incense into the mouth of a wine bottle and have the smoke chug out. The hole will allow air to draft through the bottle. It’s funny you say that. Maybe you smoke, yet are not a potHEAD, and the incense is to cover the smell. Of course, there’s that chance you are not a pot SMOKER at all… now if you will excuse me, I was partaking in the use of one such device. (literally) . 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/17 "2003-12-15T05:03:22Z")
**b) Duct tape** ---
**Author:** ![KP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@KP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KP)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/18 "2003-12-15T06:02:36Z")
“Gaff tape” aka “gaffer’s tape” is not duct tape. It’s what duct tape wishes it was. You can buy it from stage supply shops, among other places. It is like duct tape, except stronger, more flexible (it has a cloth substrate) and with a better adhesive that can be peeled up with very little residue [very useful for stage and prop work). It’s also more expensive than even the best duct tape, much less some of the \ ‘crap’ which passes for duct tape in some stores. I still find it to be a real bargain. A roll lasts ages around the house, even for a relentless handyman and improviser like myself. Of course, I’m still using up the dozen or more rolls of duct tape left from my 'pre-gaffer tape era", so my consumption may increase once I’m no longer weighing “duct or gaffer tape?” Still it’s been over five years since I bought any duct tape. A little gaffer goes a long way. ---
**Author:** ![Mailbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7feea3/32.png) [@Mailbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mailbox)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/19 "2003-12-15T07:01:50Z")
Although i doubt it would work with any sort of wine bottle, a neat way to put a hole in a beer bottle involves only a penny. Simply drop a penny into the empty bottle and then repeatedly and rapidly jerk the bottle so that the penny hits the side of the bottle. After a few tries a small, uneven hole (maybe 1cm in dia) will be formed from the penny’s repeated impacts. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022/20 "2003-12-15T08:00:56Z")
The roadies’ creed: “‘The Gaff’ is your friend.” Vastly superior to duct tape. And duct tape is good! You can achieve world domination with either, but you’ll do it faster with the Gaff. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pierce-glass-bottles/219022.md?page=2)