How to drill glass?

[Locke]

Is it possible to drill through glass?

My cheap run around car, Nissan Micra K11's headlight keeps filling up with water and blowing bulbs so being a cheap skate I was just going to drill a small hole in the bottom of it to allow the water to drain out but I just tried and failed as the drill bit just wouldn't really touch the glass and it ended up snapping and I but a hole straight through my finger nail .

Are there special types of drill bits made for glass? Or would one thats designed for tiles work better?

Thanks in advance.

[Hitler Hadrump]

Where's the water getting in? I've solved this in the past with liberal application of silicon sealant.

[60]

Yes you can, using a drill bit like this http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=&q...

[done by a diesel]

drill the plastic or metal bit behind the glass simples

[mik.ross]

Treat the problem not the symptom. Stop the water coming in, then you will not need to worry about letting the water out. Trust me, you will save a few quid.

[Wacky Racer]

Where is the water entering?

If there is a hole or small split in the lens simply cover the area around the split with heavy duty waterproof clear tape, available at B&Q, Focus etc.

[Locke]

mik.ross said:

Treat the problem not the symptom. Stop the water coming in, then you will not need to worry about letting the water out. Trust me, you will save a few quid.

Suppose thats the best idea but its really hard to find where the waters getting in. You know what waters like, finds its way through anything.

[scotty28]

Take the glass off, clean it up then reattach?

Will save drilling holes, and will put a new seal all around the glass, stopping the water getting in.

[Conian]

take the headlight unit out
fill it with water, see where it leaks back out
fix leak with silicon

[stuart-b]

Conian said:

take the headlight unit out
fill it with water, see where it leaks back out
fix leak with silicon

Spot on. Just like finding an inner tube puncture by placing it under water.

[aclivity]

you can get a glass drill but you would be better finding the leak. To drill glass properly you need to have a circle of putty containing a puddle of light oil, to do that the headlamp will need to be out of the car anyway. Also you run the risk of drilling your hand or smashing the headlight (both of which are more likely than successfully drilling a hole).

[HereBeMonsters]

You're trying to drill a hole in the FRONT of the unit?

You absolute fking r-tard. Take it out, and you'll discover that the whole thing bar the lens is made from plastic. If you absolutely, positively cannot be arsed to troubleshoot a very easy problem in finding where water's getting in, drilling a hole in the plastic at the bottom of the unit will be infinitely easier than trying to DRILL THROUGH THE fkING GLASS.

Jesus TF Christ. I fking despair sometimes, I really do. fk.

[Conian]

you should be able to drain the water out of yuor headlight by using this tool:
(it will also work for draining 'stupidness' out of your head)

[XG332]

Conian said:

you should be able to drain the water out of yuor headlight by using this tool:
(it will also work for draining 'stupidness' out of your head)

Ah a good old glass hammer.

[Morningside]

Conian said:

you should be able to drain the water out of yuor headlight by using this tool:
(it will also work for draining 'stupidness' out of your head)

Dont be stupid! Hammer on glass. Use a center punch! God, some people


By creating a hole in the front I think you would get a problem with a condensation buildup.

Remove the headlight and seal the joint between glass and case as I suspect thats were its coming from.
Also, is the rubber boot at the back of the headlight still in place? Or the plastic lock?

Edited again: Does it only seem to fill on rainy days? If so, perhaps there is already a hairline crack in the lens?

Edited by Morningside on Sunday 6th February 23:26

[Gwagon111]

Ultrasonic milling is the way to drill glass. It's very expensive and can go horribly wrong.

[Locke]

HereBeMonsters said:

You're trying to drill a hole in the FRONT of the unit?

You absolute fking r-tard. Take it out, and you'll discover that the whole thing bar the lens is made from plastic. If you absolutely, positively cannot be arsed to troubleshoot a very easy problem in finding where water's getting in, drilling a hole in the plastic at the bottom of the unit will be infinitely easier than trying to DRILL THROUGH THE fkING GLASS.

Jesus TF Christ. I fking despair sometimes, I really do. fk.

I was attempting to drill to the side of the light where you can't see when the bonnet is down, its a £500 Micra, I don't really give a st about it tbh. I simply wanted it to stop holding water, so go and fk yourself giving out abuse over the internet you fking pussy.

[PHuzzy]

Locke said:

I was attempting to drill to the side of the light where you can't see when the bonnet is down, its a £500 Micra, I don't really give a st about it tbh. I simply wanted it to stop holding water, so go and fk yourself giving out abuse over the internet you fking pussy.

Jesus, steroids really do make people angry!!!

[Nords]

Gwagon111 said:

Ultrasonic milling is the way to drill glass. It's very expensive and can go horribly wrong.

Chainsaws will do it too...

[Mr Sparkle]

XG332 said:

Conian said:

you should be able to drain the water out of yuor headlight by using this tool:
(it will also work for draining 'stupidness' out of your head)

Ah a good old glass hammer.

Nothing so crude, that is clearly a technical adjuster.