DIY Drilling Projects: Glass Bottle Lamps

If you’re looking for a fun, easy DIY project, glass bottle lamps are a great way to put your drill to use. These lamps add a unique, handcrafted touch to your home decor, whether used with a lampshade or with a bare bulb for a modern industrial look. With a little bit of drilling experience, you can do this project over a weekend. In this DIY drilling project guide, we’ll show you how to make a glass bottle lamp with minimal tools besides your trusty drill, quality drill bits and a few other things. 

How To Make Glass Bottle Lamps With a Drill

How do you make a glass bottle lamp, you may be wondering? This project is much easier than you think. It’s a fun way to upcycle old bottles, a great idea as a gift and the perfect way to add a contemporary light to your living room, dining room, hallway or bedroom. Here's how you can make your very own bottle lamp.

Step 1: Gather your materials

Before you begin, you'll need to gather your materials so that you’re all set to get started. Some of the things you’ll need for this project include the following:

• A clean, empty glass bottle
• Lamp kit with a socket, plug and cord
• A glass and tile drill bit
• A cordless drill
• Safety goggles and gloves
• Masking tape
• Sandpaper

Step 2: Clean the bottle

With this project, you can use bottles of any shape and size. Although wine bottles work best, you can choose spirit bottles or even more unique shapes as well. Start with a clean bottle. Remove labels or any sticky residue using warm soapy water or by applying a small amount of olive oil and wiping the residue before washing. Once it’s clean, set aside to allow it to dry completely.

Step 3: Mark your drilling point

Now that your bottle is ready, you will need to mark the spot where you want to place the lamp components. You’ll also need to mark the spot where the cable will exit the bottle. A good place to make the hole is at the back of the bottle near the base. Use masking tape to mark the spot that you will drill. This will prevent the drill from slipping and ensure that the hole is smooth and accurate.  

Step 4: Set up your workspace

As with any other project, safety is key. Make sure that your workspace is prepared and that you have gloves, safety goggles and other protective gear ready. To prevent any slipping or other problems, use a clamp or a vice to keep the bottle in place as you work. Make sure that your workspace is stable and that you have your equipment on hand. 

Step 5: Drill the hole in the glass

Next, it’s time to start drilling the glass. Use your glass and tile drill bit and start drilling at a low speed to prevent overheating. Apply gentle pressure and let the bit do the work. Once you've drilled through to make the hole, use sandpaper to smooth any sharp edges. 

Step; 6: Assemble the lamp

Thread the lamp kit's cable through the hole you've drilled, following the instructions that came with your lamp kit to assemble the socket and attach the plug. Secure any loose cables to the bottle using small cable clips or glue.

Step 7: Test to see that it works

Before you screw in the light bulb, ensure everything is tight and secure. Plug in your lamp to test it and check that it works. Once you're sure everything's working perfectly, add a shade or leave it as is for an industrial look.

Ready to start this creative project? Ruwag’s has a selection of premium glass and tile drill bits that are made for precise, smooth drilling in glass, whether you’re making a glass bottle lamp or any other project.