Can you drill glass insulators?
Insulators can be used for light shades, suncatchers, salt and pepper shakers or other arts and crafts. Many of the crafts that use glass insulators require holes to be drilled in the glass, a specialized process that takes time and care.
How much are glass insulators worth?
Glass Insulator Value Old glass insulators can range in value from $2 up to over $400. Like other antiques, glass insulators are evaluated on several criteria: Age. Rarity.
Can you drill through glass without breaking it?
You can drill glass without breaking it, but you need to use the right tools. To cut glass, you’ll have to use a drill bit made of either tungsten carbide or diamond. If you use a diamond drill bit, don’t use a hammer drill, as that will damage the diamond drill bit.
Can you drill in glass?
Drilling a hole in a pane of glass or a mirror is simple. The key is to use a carbide bit made especially for glass and tile (see photos). The bit creates a clean hole on the side it enters, but usually chips the edges of the hole on the other side. Note: You can’t drill tempered glass.
Why do people buy glass insulators?
Q: What the heck are insulators? A: Insulators are those glass or porcelain things you see on the tops and crossarms of telephone poles. Their purpose is to insulate the electrical wires they carry, so that electricity (or telephone calls) don’t all leak into the pole and into the earth.
What should I use to drill a hole for a glass insulator?
Use putty to make a circle, about 1/4-inch deep, around the area you intend to drill. Press the putty onto the glass. This needs to be watertight. Fill the putty “dam” with turpentine. This will help keep the bit from getting hot and will reduce chipping.
Can you drill a hole in tempered glass?
TIP: Do not attempt to drill safety or tempered glass. Fit a variable-speed power drill with a 1/8-inch or 3/32-inch carbide-tipped glass-cutting drill bit To prevent glass damage, you must drill a starter hole at the marked point. Periodically stop the drill and gently clear the glass dust from the hole with compressed air.
What can you use a glass insulator for?
Glass insulators have become obsolete for their intended purpose, with the introduction of more sophisticated technology and underground lines. They still exist in significant numbers, though, in antique stores and among collectors. Insulators can be used for light shades, suncatchers, salt and pepper shakers or other arts and crafts.
What do you use to fill a hole in glass?
Use putty to make a circle, about 1/4-inch deep, around the area you intend to drill. Press the putty onto the glass. This needs to be watertight. Fill the putty “dam” with turpentine.