Glass grinding bit in a drill press?

Question

Instead of purchasing a dedicated glass grinding machine, is it possible to chuck a glass grinding bit into a drill press and use it to grind glass edges for stained glass work? I can get my drill press down to 570 RPM and am sure I could rig up something for water cooling and flushing.

Also, how do glass grinding bits typically fastened to a dedicated grinding machine? Set screw on the bit tightened onto a shaft affixed to the motor, or is a shaft chucked into a holder on the motor like with drills?

Moonraker · Accepted Answer

I suppose what you want to do is possible, but it begs the question, "WHY"?

You can buy a grinder (used) on ebay for $30-50, and you don't have to re-engineer the wheel. Grinding glass is wet, and slopping the water all over a metal drill press doesn't seem to be a good idea to me. You have the problems of water and electricity. Commercial grinders are made of plastic and the motors are sealed, etc. As far as cooling goes, I carry a grinder on my repair van. I rarely, if ever, put any water in it. No more grinding than I have do do, it isn't worth the effort and mess. I'd rather wear out a bit earlier than normal than mess with the clean-up. (Yeah, yeah. I know all about silicosis. I wear a mask, anyway.)

Plus diamond bits work better at higher speeds.

Glass grinding bit in a drill press?

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