So this just happened...

[DAG74]

My tail light cracked in half. It's a Dennis Carpenter lens with the blue dot already installed. I don't think they are made anymore. So now I need to figure out how to dill a hole in a glass lens. I have a set on order. I have the original set that came with the car but I don't want to drill on them. My bezel also cracked.

Any suggestions on drilling holes in glass would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time and happy 4th of July.

[jimvette59]

Glue it back together and use the car until the new ones come in.

[TJ]

It cracked because the hole for the blue dot was the weakest point in the lens. The lens was probably in a slight bind with the outer trim.

[DAG74]

I was going to mention that I will try and glue it. I won't be driving very much. Its going to be110 degrees next weekend.

[petehoovie]

What about using a plastic repo instead of glass > https://www.ebay.com/itm/11117603677...gAAOxy2FZSQdUf

[tomcarman]

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Last year I made some light fixtures out of vintage glass insulators so I researched how to drill a hole in glass. There are numerous how to videos on YouTube. Here's how I did it and it worked perfectly. I bought a 1/2" diameter diamond hole saw at Home Depot. They are available in various diameters from many places but I wanted a quality one so I got a Milwaukee brand. (not cheap either). I used a drill press. I would NOT do it with a hand drill. I set up the insulator on the drill press on a wood platform clamped to the drill press with the correct size hole drilled in the wood platform to secure the bottom of the insulator. I used an old inner tube chunk with a hole cut in it that I was able to slip over the top of the insulator and seal around it to form sort of a mini pool. I filled it up with water over the top on the insulator forming kind of a mini pool about 1/2" deep. I set the drill press on the lowest speed then very gently nibbled my way through, ever so slightly at each plunge. Your lens shape would be difficult to secure but you may be able to rig up something to hold it steady and immerse it in something like a cake pan or meatloaf tin, whatever will allow enough depth to submerge it entirely at the drill point. Slow and easy worked for me. I suggest watching some YouTube videos and practicing on some jars or something first, as you don't get any do overs.

[DAG74]

Good idea. Guess I was focused only on glass. I wonder if the blue dots will have the same look with plastic.

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by DAG74

I was going to mention that I will try and glue it. I won't be driving very much. Its going to be110 degrees next weekend.

Just leave the car outside and the two pieces will melt together!

[DAG74]

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

Just leave the car outside and the two pieces will melt together!

That's good!

[DAG74]

@tomcarman - Thanks for the reply. I will definitely try something like that. Hopefully I'll post pictures of my success! Great light fixtures by the way!

[5851a]

Those are some nice looking lights. Glass can't be drilled, has to be ground for lack of better word. Water is a key thing in grinding glass, keeps temp down, and vibrations.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by 5851a

Those are some nice looking lights. Glass can't be drilled, has to be ground for lack of better word. Water is a key thing in grinding glass, keeps temp down, and vibrations.

I've heard that you can sand blast a hole in glass but have never tried this -Karl

[Clem Clement]

Try [email protected]. Keith does great work of some plastics like horn buttons and sheering wheels

[3quarter32]

I have sand blasted them for blue dots several times with no fatalities.

[tomcarman]

Originally Posted by 3quarter32

I have sand blasted them for blue dots several times with no fatalities.

What's your technique? I'm very interested. There must be a masking for starters. What did you use for maskng? Did you do it in a cabinet? What media did you use at what air pressure? Your experience could be very helpful for others in the future.
Tom

[tomkc1]

Originally Posted by 5851a

Those are some nice looking lights. Glass can't be drilled, has to be ground for lack of better word. Water is a key thing in grinding glass, keeps temp down, and vibrations.

Yes, glass can be drilled. Tomcarman did it above. As a glazier for 30 years I drilled hundreds of holes in glass. If the glass is tempered it can't be drilled. Holes in tempered glass are made before the tempering process is done.
Tom

[38bill]

I keep reef aquariums and have drilled many glass tanks using a hand held drill with diamond encrusted tools that are available at many home improvement stores in the glass or tile dept. Get something like plumbers putty to build a dam around the hole location to hold the cooling water as you drill. Go slow, especially near the end. Check out utube for video's.

[52flthed]

While your'e at it, you might want to consider putting in some nicer blue dot lens. I got a really nice glass set of blue dot lens from Red Fox Enterprises. The blue dots are much clearer and brighter than the reproduction that Dennis Carpenter slaps in. They are the same size and also come with a stainless steel bezel so they swap right in if you can pop the old ones out.

[richard crow]

in new york land of tax they are like most every thing they are agenst the law