How do I drill into thin porcelain?

[Swingpress]

Mrs. Swingpress wanted a jewelry holder made of old teacups she collects so she can display all the vintage jewelry she has. So I used epoxy and made one like she wanted. But, now she wants three more to give as gifts.

I'm not sure I want to epoxy more that will be carried around often or bumped, etc.

I'd much rather use a center rod going through all the pieces but that requires putting a hole in each piece.

I've never drilled stuff this thin or delicate.....

How do I pull this off?

 

[kctyphoon]

I THINK - THINK - you can either try a glass drill bit, or try a rotary tool and a small bit like a die grinder.. I'm guessing here,, Rotary tool sounds more delicate.

Honestly though - epoxy sounds like a better idea to me, but I really have no ******* experience with anything like that..

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I'd try using a drill bit made for glass. I picked up one at HF that worked on some plates my sister wanted drilled.

 

[kctyphoon]

They makes diamond bits for porcelain tile, but were not talking about thick tile here.

But if this helps any, here's a video.. no matter what you try, I would definitely experiment on something first, but again, I think you're fine with any kind of good expoxy or superglue. It looks like you have more than enough surface area to use epoxy and not have to worry about anything.. I would not be brave enough to try drilling all that out, making sure every hole is perfectly centered, and then placing all thread through it with mechanical fasteners putting tension on that (if that's what you're thinking of doing)

Glass tile bits and demo.. my gut tells me I would try a Bosch bit if I had to attempt this, but again - I'm just guessing here.

 

[KnurledNut]

I have used these and am confident they would perform fine.
However they are pricey.

 

[jakemac]

Whatever you use to drill - GO SLOW !!! - and use minimal pressure.
Let the bit do the work.

 

[decableguy2000]

Small diamond hole saws, Go slow and use water to keep cool. I just done this om some porcelain tile and it worked very well.

 

[signcrafter]

Diamond hole saws. If you have a menards they have a nice bit made by montana that's made in the USA. Use water to cool the bit and go slow. Start at an angle to let the bit bite in and then go straight. I drill porcelain tile with these all the time.

 

[The Cobbler]

drill them underwater . water will absorb the shock of the machining, plus keep it cool

 

[BikerDad]

Keep in mind after you successfully drill it that you'd best provide some sort of grommet or such in order to cushion the porcelain from the rod. You may be able to do something as simple as greasing the rod, assembling the whole thing, and then run a bead of silicone or hot melt clue around the rod as it passes through each hole.