Widening the light fitting hole of a glass shade?

gizmo1990 · 20 Sep 2019

Bit of an odd question so thought this would be the best place for it!

I have an old glass globe light shade which unfortunately has a split/crack. I've managed to find a replacement which is a reasonable size match, except for the hole for the light fitting. It's a little too small at dia 4cm when it needs to be 5cm.

Can anyone give me any advice on methods for making the hole wider? I was thinking of creating a kind of large cone which I could wrap grit paper around to gradually make the hole bigger. However I've no idea where I could find a cone big enough?

Currently I'm thinking 'carefully' grinding the hole bigger using a dremel would be the easiest route? I've not attempted grinding glass though. Does anyone have any experience of this? Is it even possible?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

cdbe · 20 Sep 2019

Hard to picture, but I'd have thought you'd have more luck modifying the light fitting to fit the new shade rather than vice-versa.

SpecialK · 21 Sep 2019

Go on ebay and buy a glass hole saw at 50mm
Normally you can get them started by going at an angle. If not drill through some plastic and use it as a guide to make your hole bigger...

lostinthelight · 21 Sep 2019

foxhole · 21 Sep 2019

Doomed

lostinthelight · 21 Sep 2019

foxhole said:
Doomed

Yep, most Ive seen have a thickened flatter area around the hole which gives strength/bearing for the fixing and maybe contain any stress so cutting into could, be disaster?

gizmo1990 · 21 Sep 2019

Thanks for the replies everyone. @cdbe I've never even heard of a glass hole saw/bit! Thanks for that!

I'm certainly up for giving it a go.

lostinthelight · 21 Sep 2019

A picture before and after would be good, whatever the outcome

gizmo1990 · 21 Sep 2019

Haha, sure!

Whatever happens, finding out about the existence of glass hole saws, would of made it worth it.

SpecialK · 22 Sep 2019

Go steady! Use some water. Set your drill to the lowest screwdriver torque setting so if it bites it wont break the glass.

foxhole · 22 Sep 2019

Hole saw is intended for use on flat plain glass not curved heat treated lamp shade.

SpecialK · 23 Sep 2019

I have drilled curved bottles etc without a problem. If its heat treated / tempered glass it will just shatter, not sure if light shades are?

lostinthelight · 23 Sep 2019

It would be better to shatter as its being cut than shattering on someone's head after its installed especially if its ground floor with kids causing vibrations from above?

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Widening the light fitting hole of a glass shade?

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