Need to put hole in fish bowl

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

I have been asked to put a 1/2" hole in the bottom of 100 round fish bowls. Can I do this with my CNC? Any ideas.

Just looking for a starting point before I start experimenting.

[Ted Calver]

I've done it with a diamond hole saw and drill press. Can't imagine how a cnc would do this and will be interested to see if you get any cnc solutions.

[Brian Kent]

I don't have any suggestions, but are you talking about glass or plexiglass?

[Dan Hintz]

Drill press and diamond hole saw... easiest and fastest, particularly for the small # of bowls.

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

They are standard Glass Fish bowls.

Using a Drill press, do I run at my slowest speed? What kind of pressure? Any kind of lubricant?

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

On the CNC I was thinking of a small glass cuter that swivled. Then a spring loaded selonoid that poped the score.

[Joe Hillmann]

On the CNC I was thinking of a small glass cuter that swivled. Then a spring loaded selonoid that poped the score.

I think using that method you would end up breaking a lot of bowls. If it was regular window pane glass that would probably work.

[Dan Hintz]

Using a CNC on this is way overkill... simple is your friend on this project.

[Brian Breshears]

Either way, the fish are not going to like it.

[Perry Holbrook]

If the holes don't need to be perfect, sandblasting is the fastest way. If you use a diamond bit, drill from the inside with a drill press with some water in the bowl.

I cut a LOT of glass.

Perry

[Ted Calver]

If you can't drill from the inside, make a small well out of modeling clay around the hole area on the bottom and use water as a lubricant/heat sink. Slowest speed to start, then experiment. Use light pressure and raise the bit every few seconds to let water into the kerf. As you near the finish, lighten up so you don't chip out. After you do one or two you can refine your technique, but this will get you started.

[Richard Rumancik]

To make a 1/2" hole, I agree with Perry. Make a round mask and sandblast the hole. Put something inside the bowl to deflect the abrasive as it breaks through. Or you could tape the inside surface of the hole location with heavy adhesive tape.