Cutting Glass

[oscarslr]

Is there an easy way to make straight cuts on a 1/4th inch glass?

[tat2shawn]

Glass cutter, straight edge and plenty if practice.
Takes a bit to get it down but after a while you should get it.
Watch some utube videos on it.

[JennyL]

Originally Posted by oscarslr

Is there an easy way to make straight cuts on a 1/4th inch glass?

Hi oscarslr,
Place your glass on a firm flat even surface. Once you have measured,mark the line,(I use a felt tip pen). Then place your straight edge on the marks and hold it firmly in place. This will be your guide for your glass cutter so it doesn't slip off your mark.

Take your glass cutter and place it against the straight edge. Start at the edge of the glass and use enough pressure to get a good score with your glass cutter. Use the same pressure all the way through the cut. This is important so you do not have any skips in the score because this will leave the possibility of having a crack going off into the piece you want to use.

Once this is done, you are ready to break off the excess. If it's large enough you can just use even pressure with your hands and break it away. If the excess is just a small area, you may need to turn the glass over and hold the glass at an angle, resting it on the flat surface. Using the opposite end of your glass cutter, gently tap along the score line to help complete the clean break. Be sure you stay on the score line if you need to do this.

If you have some scraps of glass, it's a good idea to practice with the glass cutter to see how much pressure you need to use to get a good score.

Hope that helps.

[oscarslr]

Thanks Jenny, so you are suggesting that I go over the Glass Once?

[jhildebrand]

I think you'd be surprised how little your local glass store will make perfect cuts for you. I made a frag tank out of a damaged 75g. The glass place made exact cuts to my specs and polished the sharp edges. Total cost: $12

When you do it yourself you have to buy a cutter and maybe waste a piece or two in the process. Even then you will have razor sharp edges that you will need to sand to even make it safe to work with. If your cuts aren't perfect, it may not even be suitable to use to make a tank or baffle. The break has to be clean and uniform.

If you still want to do this, yes, make one firm score only before snapping it off...

[NanoReefWanabe]

Originally Posted by oscarslr

Thanks Jenny, so you are suggesting that I go over the Glass Once?

yes any more then that will exponentially increase our risk of of breaking the glass, furthermore...be sure to start off the glass edge and run past the other...leaving the edges unscored will result in a ugly cut..

[tat2shawn]

It is also best to use some sort of a thin oil to lube the cutter. Oh and too much pressure is also no good. You should hear a sharp sizzle sound not a crunching glass sound.

[NanoReefWanabe]

Originally Posted by tat2shawn

It is also best to use some sort of a thin oil to lube the cutter. Oh and too much pressure is also no good. You should hear a sharp sizzle sound not a crunching glass sound.

2nd that...too much pressure will cause mirco fissures and will badly chip the glass/ cause it to fail along a different line then you intended it too...

[Cuby2k]

Originally Posted by jhildebrand

I think you'd be surprised how little your local glass store will make perfect cuts for you. I made a frag tank out of a damaged 75g. The glass place made exact cuts to my specs and polished the sharp edges. Total cost: $12

When you do it yourself you have to buy a cutter and maybe waste a piece or two in the process. Even then you will have razor sharp edges that you will need to sand to even make it safe to work with. If your cuts aren't perfect, it may not even be suitable to use to make a tank or baffle. The break has to be clean and uniform.

If you still want to do this, yes, make one firm score only before snapping it off...

As a boy I remember watching my dad cut glass for auto windows (yes that was a long time ago). As an adult I picked up stained glass as a hobby and for a while taught classes. For me cutting glass is pretty easy.

However, I agree with your point. If you are a novice and you intend to join glass for a water tight fit I'd recommend having someone skilled doing it.

But then again, 75% of the fun with this hobby is in the DIY.

[NanoReefWanabe]

Originally Posted by Cuby2k

As a boy I remember watching my dad cut glass for auto windows (yes that was a long time ago). As an adult I picked up stained glass as a hobby and for a while taught classes. For me cutting glass is pretty easy.

However, I agree with your point. If you are a novice and you intend to join glass for a water tight fit I'd recommend having someone skilled doing it.

But then again, 75% of the fun with this hobby is in the DIY.

razor sharp edges of the glass wont effect the bonding strength of the silicone...it may however effect the bonding strength of your epidermal layers to your sub dermal layers

[JennyL]

Originally Posted by oscarslr

Thanks Jenny, so you are suggesting that I go over the Glass Once?

Hi oscarslr,
Yes , you only want to make one score, as others have mentioned.

The correct amount of pressure with your glass cutter should produce a clean even score that shows you have cut through the surface of the glass. If there is any chipping when cutting, this means you are using too much pressure.