Question Drilling Through Borosicilicateglas 3.3

[WinterDust]

Hi,

So my question is, does someone have practiacal knowledge of drilling hole in Borosilicateglas 3.3 with either a Tungssten Carbide or Diamond drill?

I'm looking at the dimensions of between 20 / 35mm in diameter.

Reason for this is that basically all Separatory funnels 10,000 are out of stock, the only ones available are from Duran etc. and they reach 500$ excluding shipping.

So I figured, why not build one myself.

10,000l round bottom flask 40/45 neck, reducer 40/45 - 29/32, and a 29/32 stockcock, use two-way expoxyglue resistant to acetone and similar strong precursors and drill a hole a the bottom of the flask, ET VOILA! Seperatory funnel for under 60$

 

[UWe9o12jkied91d]

This is pretty dumb idea tbh, first off the chances of your modified separatory funnel to shatter on the first use after such a "modification" are 100/100.
You need to "calibrate" the glass after such a modification, it's structure will be in shambles if not, even with a tune it's not gonna be as tough as it was when it was blown.
Hdpe or pp drum on frame with a valve, why not? Or if you insist on glass get a proffesional glass blower to install a valve at the bottom, if you still have them in your parts.

 

[WinterDust]

I get what you are saying, but you are speaking of properties of "hardened glas" which I have som experience with.

Borosilicate glas have different chemical set up to it.

I have read a few people who have tried this on forums and even seen videos on youtube of people drilling holes into BSC 3.3.

But I was more curious of people who have done it from chemical reaction stand point.

 

[HerrHaber]

Did countless improvs and I must say even with an arguable apprenticeship in scientific glass blowing, the size you are dealing with is not to be approached in an amateur setting.

 

[G.Patton]

Agree with @UWe9o12jkied91d. Your flask will crack in the worst moment in case of success drilling. It's worth to use plastic jerry can for this manipulations.

 

[general]

im approaching this from a non chemist stand point.i have worked with drilling glass many times,however it wasnt borosilicate.i understand your dilemna but i wouldnt think of going there.a tungsten carbide kinda pear or spear shaped bit will go right through 1/4" glass like nothing,but that diameter is out of reach without a diamond hole saw. perhaps.its easy for a stress fracture to quickly stream out of the hole at one or more points,sorry i cant be more encouraging my friend!small hole big maybe,large hole no way.

 

[WinterDust]

Well,

It was worth a shot, but seems like the idea is of the table, thank you for all the input.