I want to know if it is possible to cut a small (1/8-1/4") hole in a glass picture frame without breaking the whole thing.

It is very hard to do that. There are special bits one can buy at most hardware stores for drilling through glass. I tried once, but shattered the glass. It takes a lot of patience and a steady hand. A drill press would probably help also. Something that would be easier would be to replace the glass with plexiglass and drill ha hole in that. Plexiglass is easier to drill.

@stump is right on the money. I’ve framed hundreds of pictures. Plexi is also very light, which is nice if the picture is large. Of course, it scratches very easily, and it’s much more expensive than glass.
But you’re going to break the glass anyway. When you go to replace it, get the Plexi.
You’ll be happy.

thanks for your replies.
how much more expensive is the plexi? And where do you get clear plexi?

Plexi tends to yellow over time if exposed to the sun. Most hardware stores carry it. You can drill thru the frame but you need to go very slowly and not use much pressure. Let the drill bit do all the work, and you can drill thru the glass.

thanks adirondackwannabe——did you mean I can drill thru the plexiglass or real glass by letting the drill do the work? Also, I don’t want to drill thru the frame, I need to drill thru the middle. Does that make a difference?

You can drill thru either. Glass you just have to go slow.

If you drill glass you should do it with glass drill or diamond bit and a build a dike around the hole and fill it with water to cool the glass and drill. You are trying to wear a hole not drill a hole.

Need a different avatar!

Thanks for all your input! I guess I will have to pick up some glass and plexi and have some sssslllooww fun with both! Again, thanks.