Replies

1. 
   cuttoff | Jun 11, 2002 10:56pm | #1

   My glass guy was just here.. Cut all of the mirrors in nothing flat. Used 3 in 1 oil on the cutter and popped the glass with a pair of lineman plyers. As soon as he left I tried it and it worked perfect. Thanks to those of you who were thinking about replying....

   John

1. 
   nigelUsa | Jun 12, 2002 01:21am | #2

   Glass won't cut cleanly dry. use a lube of some kind to cool the "edge" ,WD40 works well.(little tough to clean up)

1. 
   cuttoff | Jun 12, 2002 01:27am | #3

   Thanks Nigel, just found some more info on it. Seems anything 1/4" or better needs oil and a little spit never hurts either. I have the process down pat now. Just cut up the mirror I messed up and made scrapers. Waste not want not I say.John

1. 
   RSRose | Jun 12, 2002 10:27am | #4

   OK, since attention is focused on glass cutting, can someone tell me how to cut a circle out of a large plate gleass window? (For a plastic cat door).

   I can control the cutter to make a circular cut. How do I "pop" the circle out of the larger sheet of glass?

   Tap on the cut?

   Thanks,

   Rich

1. 
   cuttoff | Jun 12, 2002 05:43pm | #5

   Depending on the thickness of the glass, you can use a glass cutters suction cup to pop the glass out. However, make sure it is not tempered glass because it will just shatter into little pieces.

   John

   Edited 6/12/2002 10:45:03 AM ET by John

2. 
   BanyanTree | Jun 12, 2002 06:38pm | #6

   I've made several mirrors and glass doors, and I have never had any luck cutting glass myself.  I usually end up with jagged shards of glass.  Or, if I get it to break along a straight line, I still see chipping on the edges.

   Now I just go to the glass supply place near me and watch them do it.  Seems so simple when I see them cut the glass, but whenever I try to do it, forget it.

   Maybe it's my glass cutter?  Are there better grades of cutters out there?  Maybe it's technique?  I asked the class cutter one day why it looks so simple when he does it, and he said, "You have to get it right the first time.  You can't fix it if you don't score it well the first time."

   Whatever...I'll put my effort into cutting the wood I guess.

3. 
   cuttoff | Jun 12, 2002 06:51pm | #7

   You glass cutter was absolutely correct. And yes there are different grades a cutters. The Red Devil glass cutters that you get at the hardware stores are fine for occasional use. The oil and spit doesn't have anything to do with cooling the glass, it is to keep the cutting wheel from draging when the axle that it rides on gets hot. If it drags, it scratches but doesnt score and thats what produces the jagged edges.

   I had the opportunity to have a few brews with my friend that cut my mirrors for me last evening and he set me straight on the process.John

2. 
   stancalow | Jun 14, 2002 04:33am | #8

   John

   I don't know if it makes a significant difference, but there is a glass cutter specifically for cutting mirror glass.   I believe the difference is that there is a different angle to the cutterhead.  

   Stan