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How to Drill China to Make a Teacup Lamp

ByGail Wilson Published on
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In this post, How to Drill China, I hope to encourage you to think creatively about using those thrift store teacups you’ve been saving.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock Via PicMonkey

I used this type of Diamond Bit. I found it at Home Depot, but you can also find them on Amazon.

This was my first attempt at drilling glass. I’ve learned several things since this.

Items Needed For Drilling China

  • Thrift store china like saucers and teacups
  • Old towel
  • Water
  • Plastic tub
  • Diamond Drill Bit
  • Heavy Duty Drill

How To Drill China

Add a rag and water to the bottom of a plastic tub

I placed my bowl in a container of water on an old rag to keep it from trying to turn as I drilled.

Use a diamond drill bit

You need to use water when you use a diamond bit to keep the glass cool.

Drill slowly, allowing the water to keep the china cool

Isn’t it cute? Getting the hole right in the middle of a round object is a little difficult.

Patience is the key to this project.

The clamp is holding a piece of scrap wood because the tub wants to “walk” across the table from the vibration of the drill.

On large items, use the rim of the plate to hold the water

This plate was too large to fit in the tub, but no problem. Almost all of the dishes I have cut have a rim that naturally pools the water needed for cooling.

Do NOT try to drill glass or china without cooling it with water.

I cut all of these pieces and didn’t break a single one!

I used this small bowl for the “base” of my lamp. The base needs to have an extra hole for your cord.

How to Assemble a Teacup Lamp

This is a lamp I curbed. I used the guts of this lamp for my new teacup lamp. You can purchase a lamp kit to get the rod, but a thrift store lamp is cheaper. Better yet, perhaps you have an old lamp you no longer need.

A kit will have washers and fittings, but if you’re upcycling an old lamp, save every piece you remove from it.

The height of your teacup lamp will be determined by the length of your center rod.

This is a dry fit to see how everything “stacks up”.

I connected my glass pieces with Gorilla Glue Epoxy.

I didn’t intend to paint my pieces, but I used my least favorite pieces as my guinea pigs because I expected to break a bunch of cups and saucers. Because I didn’t like the variation of the patterns, I decided to paint it.

I really think I like the simplicity of the white.

This teacup lamp project was my prototype. I have made a couple more since this one. It’s not really hard to do, but some pieces can take more than three minutes to drill. Because I want to take care of my drill, I let it cool down a little between those pieces. If you have a corded drill, I would recommend it.

Here are a few more details about teacup lamps. Mandi from Vintage Revivals has a great project. I put mine together a little differently than Mandi.

gail

More China Lamps Here

Teapot Lamp

See more repurposed glassware projects here

Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.

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