Etch glass coasters


  • Difficulty
    Medium

Make your practical coasters into something unique. Make your coasters unique with an engraving or make them a personalised gift for friends and family. Using the Dremel 3000 these plain glass coasters can be transformed to be perfect for your home.

You need
  • Permanent marker
  • Safety Goggles
  • Dust mask
  • Gloves
  • Duct tape
  • Acetone
  • Template
  • 4 glass coasters
L: Length, W: Width, H: Height, D: Diameter

Let's go - step by step

Video instructions

Step 1 13

Prepare your Dremel

Unscrewing nose cap of a Dremel 3000 tool

Begin by starting to unscrew the EZ twist nose cap.

Step 2 13

Attach driver cap

Putting on the driver cap on the Dremel 3000 tool

Screw on the driver cap on to the Dremel 3000 which will function as an adapter to attach the flexible shaft to the tool.

Step 3 13

Connect the attachment

Putting flexible shaft on Dremel 3000 tool

Now you Dremel is ready to mount the flexible shaft to the tool, screw on the flex shaft and tighten until secure. Then hang your Dremel to the holder, allowing for high maneuverability.

Step 4 13

Insert accessory

Inserting the diamond-tipped accessory into the Dremel 3000 tool

Now that the tool is appropriately set up, insert your accessory. When engraving glass always use the diamond-tipped accessories, here the 7103 Cutter was used to complete the fine detail.

Step 5 13

Cut out template

Cutting out the template that is drawn on the piece of paper

Cut out your desired template neatly. Then stick the template on underneath the glass coaster, so that the template pattern can be seen through the glass.

Step 6 13

Trace template

Bolding out the lines that are drown on the template

Then take a permanent marker to go over the template outline. This makes the pattern stand out and clear.

Step 7 13

Etch

Starting the engraving on the glass based on the drawn template

Set the speed on your Dremel to 5 and gently begin to engrave the glass following the lines on the template. If you would like to make a thicker line it is recommended to repeatedly go over the line instead of applying pressure.

Step 8 13

Grind

Bolding out the engraved lines with a silicon carbide grindstone

Then use a Silicon carbide grindstone (84922) this allows for the lines to be made wider and also giving a cleaner finish.

Step 9 13

The first one is ready!

Engraved and Cleaned engraved glass product

With acetone you can now remove the remnants of the marker and the first coaster is ready!

Step 10 13

Start the second!

Sticking the paper with pattern on the glass

Now begin to cut out the second template and stick it on the back of the coaster, follow the procedure of step 6 and 7.

Step 11 13

Trace and start

Starting the engraving process by following the pattern

Draw over the template onto the coaster with a permanent marker to make the outline stand out. Then start to etch using the Diamond cutter accessory (7103).

Step 12 13

Grinding tool

Inserting the the silicon carbide grindstone into the Dremel 3000 tool

The filling is great with the silicon carbide grindstone 19.8 mm (85422). Ensure the attachment is fitted tightly.

Step 13 13

Finishing details

Using the silicon carbide grindstone for more precise engraving
Engraving inner areas of the design so they have a white color

For smaller areas we recommend the silicon carbide grindstone 3.2mm (85422) this allows for you to be very precise. Then use a damp cloth to clean the coaster. Now you are finished!