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Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips

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  #1  
Old 2012-01-29, 7:24am
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moushka moushka is offline
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Question lamp from glass vase - need drill bit

Good Morning - we have been looking for a hanging lamp for our foyer. I haven't found anything I liked that I could afford. I was showing my husband some beautiful italian glass pendant type lamps, and he suggested we try to make some from vases.

I found some glass vases at TJ Maxx. They are about 18" tall, about 3" in diameter. The plan is to hang at least 2, possibly three at slightly different heights, with a dimmer switch.
Issue - The base of the lamps are pretty thick. There are different drill bit recommendations all over the internet. Can anyone recommend a decent glass drill bit?

Also, if anyone has already done this, please feel free to offer tips and advice.

Thanks,
Jen
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  #2  
Old 2012-01-29, 8:54am
Jenn L'Rhe Jenn L'Rhe is offline
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Check the craft forums about drilling out glass blocks to make those "presents". Glass block, hole, insert short strand of lights and wrap with ribbon. The bit used for those would be large enough to meet your wiring needs.
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Old 2012-01-29, 9:17am
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I have bought glass bits at Harbor Freight. They have a couple of different types.
Just remember to go slow, &keep it wet (I keep spraying mine with a spray bottle of water but many people find a way to keep the hole under water) so it doesn't get too hot & break your vase. Did I say go slow? Don't get in a hurry & press to hard, you'll regret it! You might want to practice on some scrap glass until you're comfortable with it.
I normally use a drill press, but I don't know how you could use one on your vase.

I forgot to say my neighbor works with glass (makes boat windshields, etc.) and he buys the really good bits from a catalog. I can get the name if you want. I just use the cheaper ones since I'm not using them too often so I'll just buy another when it finally goes bad.
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Old 2012-01-29, 9:23am
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And once you get through, don't forget a rubber/plastic bushing where the wire passes through the glass so it doesn't wear.
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Old 2012-01-29, 9:36am
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Thank you everyone! i think we are going to work on them after work this week, so if we get them finished, i will post pics!

we are going by harbor freight after work tomorrow and i will check out the craft forums as soon as i finish painting my bathroom

Jen
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  #6  
Old 2012-02-26, 3:50pm
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A while back I asked about drill bits - thanks to everyone who responded - this is what we made for our foyer.
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Old 2012-02-26, 4:04pm
Jenn L'Rhe Jenn L'Rhe is offline
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Way cool!! Good job.
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Old 2012-02-26, 4:57pm
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lovely!
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Old 2012-02-26, 9:22pm
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Those are great
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Old 2012-02-27, 5:13am
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Thanks! Have a great week everyone!
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  #11  
Old 2012-02-27, 9:40am
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Absolutely beautiful!! Great job!
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