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Glass-Top Box

Posted by pi_r_squared on August 4, 2010 at 11:05pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion
The cigar box on the counter at the local market is down to 3 Cohiba's left.  Nice box, but it has a glass top.  I thought about trying to use it for a build, not for any good reason, other than it seems almost impossible to make it work, so I HAVE to try.

My brother in law told me they used to use copper tubing to drill through (non tempered) glass.  I have no idea if it works, or why it might, maybe the surface of the tube holds tiny pieces of glass that abrade the glass underneath?  Anyone have any experience with this?

Anyway, sounds like either a lot of fun, or a quick way to add an item to my "don't try that again" list.


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Replies

  • Don Thompson August 6, 2010 at 7:25pm
    I assume this is for a sound hole? For all of this rigamarrow, replace the glass with acrylic and be done with it............ Much easier to work with.
    Don
  • pi_r_squared August 6, 2010 at 4:49pm
    problem I've found, trying to heat glass, you have to heat up the whole plate equally, or the thermal stresses break it. Someone more experienced might have a way to do this, but it's beyond me.

    Scott L said:
    Would torching and melting the glass work? When it becomes viscous push a dowel or something through it? Just a thought. How bout a regular glass cutter?
  • Scott L August 6, 2010 at 4:07pm
    Would torching and melting the glass work? When it becomes viscous push a dowel or something through it? Just a thought. How bout a regular glass cutter?
  • pi_r_squared August 6, 2010 at 11:21am
    don't think it's silly at all. I might do exactly that, and I I decide to get crazy, I could have a piece of glass "water jet cut, then I could go crazy with cutouts.

    Ben said:
    I know this is a silly question, but can you build it without cutting the glass? You said just the top is glass. If its anything like the Cohibas I've worked with, you don't need to drill the top unless you're running a mag pup through or cutting a sound hole. If you're talking about drilling for a sound hole, have you thought about building a "sound port" on the side?
    Some examples...
  • Ben August 6, 2010 at 7:39am
    I know this is a silly question, but can you build it without cutting the glass? You said just the top is glass. If its anything like the Cohibas I've worked with, you don't need to drill the top unless you're running a mag pup through or cutting a sound hole. If you're talking about drilling for a sound hole, have you thought about building a "sound port" on the side?
    Some examples...
  • Greg Miller August 5, 2010 at 12:56pm
    I forgot to mention, make sure you use a low rpm on this for large holes especially.

    Greg Miller said:
    Diamond bits are the best to use to drill glass. As already stated you need to keep them cool. Using a water drip kit would be a good method. Or you could use a spray bottle, but this method requires an extra hand. Let the bit do the work never apply to much pressure.

    Interesting idea I would like to hear how this turns out. What type of glass is this? The softer the glass the more resonance you should have.
  • Greg Miller August 5, 2010 at 12:52pm
    Diamond bits are the best to use to drill glass. As already stated you need to keep them cool. Using a water drip kit would be a good method. Or you could use a spray bottle, but this method requires an extra hand. Let the bit do the work never apply to much pressure.

    Interesting idea I would like to hear how this turns out. What type of glass is this? The softer the glass the more resonance you should have.
  • pi_r_squared August 5, 2010 at 9:28am
    From what I've found online, it looks like copper tubing combined with water and valve grinding compound might work well for small holes. The Harbor Freight combo looks like the best deal for larger holes. It looks like home depot has a slightly larger one (1 3/8" dia) but it's $20.

    There was an online site that talked about building a dam around the hole site with clay, to hold water. Sounds like a good idea for any of the bits. Might have to run to the glass place and see if they have any scrap I can play with.

    Now, if someone would just buy the rest of those $8 cigars so I can have the box.
  • Paul Stephen Eklund August 5, 2010 at 7:03am
    The trick to drilling threw glass is to keep both the bit and the glass cool. At work we have water flowing threw hollow drill bits.

    If the idea of drilling becomes a problem you could just remove on of the corners. Tools you'll need. Something to scratch the glass, light oil, pliers, sand paper and a flat surface to work on. Mark where you want the cut to be. Put a line of light oil on the line. Scratch the glass in one smooth motion. Using a straight edge will help keep it straight. Don't make a second scratch or go back and forth. Don't push down to hard. About ten pounds of pressure is all it takes. Just one smooth scratch. Use the pliers to grasp the corner to be removed and pop it off in a downward motion. Sand smooth.

    We do this on everything from 1/8 to 3/4 inch thick glass.
  • Don Thompson August 5, 2010 at 5:54am
    http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/power-accessories/1-2-half...
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