Standoff Installation Is Easier Than You Think

By Author: Sarfaraz Khan
Total Articles: 18
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Standoff systems require drilling glass. Most people are unsure of how to drill glass or acrylic panels, and this restrains them from using standoff systems. However, it is relatively easy to drill glass and acrylic. Many different types of drill bits exist, some specifically made to drill glass, others for acrylic panels. Any time you attempt to drill glass, ensure that the proper drill bit is used. Any attempt to drill glass with a drill bit not designed for the purpose will damage the panel, usually resulting in shattering. Acrylic panels are more forgiving and harder to cause irrepairable damage to.

Mistakes are usually hard or impossible to correct, and can be expensive, so drill glass only in specified places and make holes exact in size, so that studs used to secure standoff caps to standoff bases are not loose in the holes, as any jarring impact against the glass panel may cause the glass to hit the stud and shatter. If you are unsure of how or where to drill glass, take your glass to a professional and them take care of it for you. When creating floating counter-tops, glass should be tempered, ...
... and it is impossible to drill glass that is tempered, so glass should be the last thing made for your standoff system.

For those that wish to drill glass themselves, there are a few simple rules to remember and follow. Anyone who wishes to drill glass should use a core drill bit, which is the most common type of glass drill, or other bit specifically designed for the purpose. Follow rpm recommendations for your particular drill bit or your attempt to drill glass may result in damage to the glass and/or bit. When attempting to drill glass, always use coolant. Many coolants exist, specially formulated to prolong the life of glass drill bits.

If no coolant is available, water may be used. However, water will not preserve the drill bit for as long as coolant. Also, when you drill glass it is important for the drill bit to not be allowed to 'walk'. For this reason, a guide may be purchased to restrain the drill bit in its designated location. A circle of the proper size cut into a piece of plywood will also serve as a guide when fastened onto the drilling surface. Do not attempt to drill glass unless you are using a guide.

Standoff systems may seem complicated, with the necessity to drill glass and knowing where to mount standoff systems, but they are in truth very straight-forward. Some glass shops that craft and drill glass will also install it, so it may not even be necessary for you to take the risk of doing it yourself, unless you wish to. No matter whether used in a commercial or residential application, to display artwork, advertisements, or create floating counter-tops, standoff systems are an integral part of modern decoration.