What methods can be used to puncture through glass that are easy and won't crack the glass?

Question

e.g. drilling. heating?

Answer 1

drilling or cutting-might want to let the pros do it-glass will crack that fast-or practice on junk glass first

Answer 2

What size hole?  There are diamond tip drills and hole saws that do the trick.

Make sure they are well lubricated with water while you are drilling. Check with a local stained glass artist or supply house.

Heating the glass will probably break it.

Answer 3

I would probably use a glass cutter.

Answer 4

drilling of course, there are drills for that.

Answer 5

use a glass cutter, or for safety take it to a glass place, they'll do it for a minimal charge.

Answer 6

I  don't know about heating, although I am familiar with drilling.

   Diamond drill bits are made for that purpose, as is small diamond coated hole saws, depending on size of hole required, you just might be better off and cheaper to let the professional glass people do it, as they usually have the proper equipment and are responsible for any breakage in the process.

  Years ago I worked for a sign company, and we did purchase a 1/4" diamond bit for one hole in glass, and the instructions said to cover both sides of glass with some masking tape to avoid cracking and splinters.

  As careful as we were, it still took about eight glass panels before one worked, and the bit cost, at that time, about $40.00.

Answer 7

There's a circle cutter and suction cup machine thing that cuts glass without breaking it. They use it a lot in action movies that involve heists of some kind and I'm sure you've seen it before. I think it's a real tool. Go to a hardware store and ask them if the sell it.