Glass etching with a Dremel rotary tool helps you turn everyday glasses and bottles like these into one of a kind gifts.
Glass etching with a Dremel rotary tool can add a unique and unusual touch to the most plain of glass items. It's a simple method to learn, but it can be used to make the most complex and beautiful designs. You can use a Dremel tool to turn a simple dollar store drinking goblet into a treasured gift for friends and family. Use it to create one-of-a-kind items for sale at local craft fairs.
Instructions
1. Choose a glass item to etch. For beginners, it's best to use thick-walled glass items like bottles or drinking glasses. The glass should be smooth and free of blemishes.
2. Choose a design to etch onto the glass. Designs with clear lines work best for etching with a Dremel tool. Using a stencil as a design is a time-saver. If you decide to use a design of your own, you'll have to turn it into a stencil before proceeding.
3. Tape the design stencil to the glass item with masking tape.
4. Clamp the glass item to a tabletop or workbench to keep it still while you work. If you are using a flat glass item like a plate, this step can be skipped.
5. Transfer the design to the glass using a permanent marker that writes on glass. Sharpie markers are fantastic for this purpose.
6. Remove the stencil from your glass. Check to be sure that all the lines have transferred cleanly so that you have a pattern to follow with the etching tool.
7. Etch the design into the glass using the Dremel tool at low speed. Use diamond tips to etch fine lines. Use silicon carbide stones to etch thicker lines. Use tungsten carbide lines to etch deep lines.
8. Remove glass from clamp. Wash with cool water to remove glass dust.
