I prefer to cut my own glass for repairing broken panes, and I’m fairly adept at it. However, now I’m faced with large tear-drop pane in an old window. I don’t know how to cut and break the curve. Any advice? Thanks.
– GK
I prefer to cut my own glass for repairing broken panes, and I’m fairly adept at it. However, now I’m faced with large tear-drop pane in an old window. I don’t know how to cut and break the curve. Any advice? Thanks.
– GK
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Replies
this is what I used to do when I worked in a glass shop...
Make a card stock pattern
Place glass on firm surface, commercial carpet is ideal
Card stock on glass
spray cut line with WD40 or similar
trace with glass cutter
flip glass over
tap cut line with ball end of cutter to get a break started
walk the break down the cut line with gentle thumb pressure
use gloves
If it's new glass and the curve is gentle, you may be able to score and snap as usual.
If not, I'd make a series of straight cuts tangent to the curve, then sand the edge. You can use a belt sander if you support the glass, use a 120 belt, and a bit of patience.
OBVIOUSLY be careful while sanding and when cleaning up the glass dust!
For my glass cutter and lubricant I like the following setup. A small soup can half full of kerosene. The cutter and a 1/2" brush hanging so they don't touch bottom and pickup old glass chips. The cutter should be returned to the can to flush the tip after every cut.
WD-40 does work well, and I use it, but I like the kero a bit better...buic
Thanks for the great tips.