Disclaimer. Using rotary tools near water has never been, to the best of our knowledge, endorsed by any of the rotary tool manufacturers. If you do choose to drill near water or with attachments under water connected to your drill then you do so at your own risk. Please be aware that mixing electricity and water can be very dangerous.
The format for drilling glazed pottery follows the same steps as if you were to drill porcelain or ceramic tiles. Perhaps you have a glazed pottery planter that needs water drainage holes in the bottom, some glazed pottery tiles to be drilled through or plates to be hung up? Just follow these simple steps...
What You Will need:
- Diamond Core drill. There are very small diamond core drill bits available from 1mm - 3mm, larger diamond core drills from 3.5mm - 65mm or Bottle Neck Diamond Core Drills from 4mm - 10mm with a 2.35mm shank, suitable for use in your Dremel type drill
- Sponge and bowl of water
- Masking tape (optional)
- Safety goggles and mask
Step 1
Mark the position of where you require the hole to be with a marker pen and place a strip of masking tape over the top. The masking tape helps to prevent any skittering across the surface which when you begin to drill and make the first initial cut this can happen. Once you have mastered this type of drilling you might find that you don't need the help of the masking tape and to angle the drill to make the initial cut will be sufficient.Step 2
Soak your sponge in water and place next to your intended drill hole. The purpose of using a lubricant such as water is to ensure the material and your drill bit do not overheat which can cause your material to crack and will shorten the life of your drill bit.Step 3
Start the drill on the lowest rpm and angle your drill on the masking tape to begin the drilling whilst at the same time squeezing water from your sponge directly onto the drilling process. The angling of the drill will again help to prevent any skittering across the surface. As soon as you begin to cut into the glazed pottery return your drill to its normal vertical position and continue to drill through, slow to begin with and with little pressure, too much and you may break the pottery.
For further help, you might also like to read our article: 12 Things you Should Know about Diamond Drill Bits
