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.


Views: 359

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I want to hear it!
Seem to remember reading about drilling glass, think you can use a drill bit for drilling ceramic tiles, but you have to make a little enclousure round the drll bit, out of plastercine, and fill it with cutting oil, or you could just google it,,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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?
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?
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

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
Thumbnail

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

"i See Your ready to Blow away the GRAND STADIUM ! tree strings more of DAR DELIGHT !! Shine Girl !…"
6 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you for the kind comments Doug! Glad you liked the Picture !"
7 hours ago
BrianQ. commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
11 hours ago
BrianQ. liked Dar Stellabotta's video
11 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Project Punch!

" Thank ya again Keith!"
13 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Punch Project!

" Thank Ya Keith!"
13 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #527 - ''Led-Zep 2''

"This build really strung you along Alan! Reminded me of all my fishing line experiments; a lot of…"
15 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Diggin’ the slow blues. I like that last pic Andries! Look at all those cool guitars. Yeah!!!"
15 hours ago
Dar Stellabotta posted a video

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

This video is the unboxing and the demonstration of a beautiful, six stringer built by Louie Lamanna. Join Louie and I June 15 at the second annual Pittsburg...
16 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter to you too Andries! The passion is definitely in full swing. Turns out I’m…"
17 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter Doug ! the Passion is in full swing !"
17 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Ricky D's photo
17 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->