DIY Question

In article ,
(Jon Pike) wrote:

I've recently come into posession of 8 large sheets of 1/2" thick
glass. Has anyone had any experience with cutting this? What kind of
tools will I need?
TIA

You need a glass cutter (Tungsten carbide wheel in a little handle), a
good steady pressure and a lot of self belief.

If it isn't new glass it is far more difficult to cut. Clean it with
Meths (UK) Denatured alcohol (US), this removes grease and water from the
surface and makes it easier.

Cut the glass on a flat, solid surface which will support the whole
length of the cut. Dip your glass cutter in Meths and (this is very
important) with a single stoke, score the glass on one side where you want
to cut it. Place a pencil under each end of the score (and one in the
middle if it is very long) then press down on both sides. If you have
done it right it will split neatly and evenly along the scored line - it
is now permissible to punch the air and shout "YES", if you didn't do it
right, tidy up the shards of glass you now have and start again.

Roger Sleet
Roger's Aquatic Pages http://www.sleet.plus.com

(Roger Sleet) wrote in
:

In article ,
(Jon Pike) wrote:

I've recently come into posession of 8 large sheets of 1/2" thick
glass. Has anyone had any experience with cutting this? What kind of
tools will I need?
TIA

You need a glass cutter (Tungsten carbide wheel in a little handle), a
good steady pressure and a lot of self belief.

If it isn't new glass it is far more difficult to cut. Clean it with
Meths (UK) Denatured alcohol (US), this removes grease and water from
the surface and makes it easier.

Cut the glass on a flat, solid surface which will support the whole
length of the cut. Dip your glass cutter in Meths and (this is very
important) with a single stoke, score the glass on one side where you
want to cut it. Place a pencil under each end of the score (and one
in the middle if it is very long) then press down on both sides. If
you have done it right it will split neatly and evenly along the
scored line - it is now permissible to punch the air and shout "YES",
if you didn't do it right, tidy up the shards of glass you now have
and start again.

I know how to cut glass. There's no problems with that. The problem is you
can't score and break 1/2" thick glass. You need to actually -cut- it, and
I don't know what special blades or tools you need for it.

In article ,
(Jon Pike) wrote:

(Roger Sleet) wrote in
:


I know how to cut glass. There's no problems with that. The problem is
you can't score and break 1/2" thick glass. You need to actually -cut-
it, and I don't know what special blades or tools you need for it.

Oh yes you can :-) - it has to be scored just so, and doing small pieces
is really tricky, but it will work. I must admit I've never succeeded
with anything over 6mm 2nd hand, but I've watched it being done on 15mm
new glass, and up to 10mm 2nd hand.

You can saw it with a diamond saw, but you would never get it square with
the sort of eqipment available to the average person.


Roger Sleet
Roger's Aquatic Pages http://www.sleet.plus.com

If you have never done it I would take it to a pro. They may be willing to
give you a cheap price if you dont hold them liable for breaking it. This
was the deal I got for cutting some thick glass for a coffee table.

"Charlie Spitzer" wrote in message
...
you need a special cutter, and a heavy duty glass breaker, to break thick
glass well. also, look up tap glass cutters, which are purported to cut
thick glass well.

Silberschnitt makes both items. you can dags, but here's a place that you
can get them:


http://www.ebor.co.uk/online_glass_b...tm#Breakout_to
ols

regards,
charlie
cave creek, az

"Roger Sleet" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Jon Pike) wrote:

(Roger Sleet) wrote in
:


I know how to cut glass. There's no problems with that. The problem is
you can't score and break 1/2" thick glass. You need to actually -cut-
it, and I don't know what special blades or tools you need for it.

Oh yes you can :-) - it has to be scored just so, and doing small pieces
is really tricky, but it will work. I must admit I've never succeeded
with anything over 6mm 2nd hand, but I've watched it being done on 15mm
new glass, and up to 10mm 2nd hand.

You can saw it with a diamond saw, but you would never get it square
with
the sort of eqipment available to the average person.


Roger Sleet
Roger's Aquatic Pages http://www.sleet.plus.com

Mort wrote:


"Jon Pike" wrote in message
. 159...
I've recently come into posession of 8 large sheets of 1/2" thick glass.
Has anyone had any experience with cutting this? What kind of tools will
I need?
TIA


I would definately let the pros handle it.

Or just make a really HUGE cube shaped tank =)

~Mort

I second the motion. I'm a big time DIYer, but the cost of a few simple
cuts and bevels is so low (at least here in edm.ab.ca) that it's not worth
the hassle to deal with the thick stuff yourself.

If you want to give glass cutting a try, look in your local penny
pincher/bargain finder and find an old sliding screen door or glass shower
door. The thin glass that they're made of is ideal for 10 gallon and under
tanks.

Jeff

When I cut thicker glass, I tap the opposite side of the cut with the ball
end of the cutter to make small cracks just start. then turn it back over
laying on a good smooth surface to do the actual break. Line the cut line
with the edge of your table and make a quick snap break of the glass. I
also use a dremel motor tool to grind the sharp edges off.
another tip I do is use the small rasp with the motor tool to grind the
gluing
surface of the glass so the silicone will not slip. ( I had a tank bottom
slide down the sides of a 69 gallon, which made the bottom glass bow and
break on me).
Anyway, experiment. One work of caution. store your glass on its side and
not outside uncovered and the rain and sun will ruin it. I had several get
bad spots in them from etching. Fwiw . Jim

"Mort" wrote in message
y.com...

"Jon Pike" wrote in message
. 159...
I've recently come into posession of 8 large sheets of 1/2" thick glass.
Has anyone had any experience with cutting this? What kind of tools will
I
need?
TIA


I would definately let the pros handle it.

Or just make a really HUGE cube shaped tank =)

~Mort