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Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
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2014-07-10, 1:19pm
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jul 10, 2014
Posts: 2
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Newb question: best way to cut glass rods?
Just got my first haul of glass rods, and the clear boro rods (6 mm) are 5 feet long.
What's the best/easiest way to cut them? Preferably also cheap, if buying special tools is necessary...
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2014-07-10, 1:26pm
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Loving learning
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Join Date: Oct 11, 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 11,654
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Do you have any tire nippers? I used those. It took a little more time than the cutter they have at the glass shop, but I didn't do them all at once, so not bad. (I have the wheeled ones, & they sell them at Harbor Freight for less than $10 someone told me)
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2014-07-10, 1:36pm
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Shelarious
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Join Date: Jul 18, 2007
Location: Cincinnati, OH
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Quote:
Originally Posted by anyideas
Just got my first haul of glass rods, and the clear boro rods (6 mm) are 5 feet long.
What's the best/easiest way to cut them? Preferably also cheap, if buying special tools is necessary...
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Welcome to LE!
Where did you get 5 foot long rods?! Wow!
I have heard others score with a knife and then snap, but when I tried that I got shards everywhere.
I use cheap tile nippers. Michael's sells them in their stained glass section. Wipe them down with alcohol before nipping to minimize dirt/oil transference.
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2014-07-10, 3:38pm
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Member
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Join Date: Jul 20, 2008
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 77
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Score the rod with a tungsten glass cutter (usually a triangular blade so there are three cutting surfaces) or a new, small, fine triangular file. Just score about 1/3 of the circumference of the rod. Hold the rod with your thumbs on each side of the score and the score facing away from you. Snap the rod by pulling the ends toward you and pushing the scored section away from you.
Another method is to wet the score and touch it with a small (pea size or smaller) gather of molten glass. The rod will usually break cleanly or will require less effort to snap.
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2014-07-10, 3:48pm
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jul 10, 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bshelle
Welcome to LE!
Where did you get 5 foot long rods?! Wow!
I have heard others score with a knife and then snap, but when I tried that I got shards everywhere.
I use cheap tile nippers. Michael's sells them in their stained glass section. Wipe them down with alcohol before nipping to minimize dirt/oil transference.
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I got the 5' rods from American Laboratory Supply in Richmond, CA. They're really awesome there.
Thanks for the tip, I'll go check out some tile nippers! Might also pick up a file and a tungsten glass cutter and experiment.
Thanks everyone!
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2014-07-10, 4:04pm
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This little thing is brilliant for cutting small rod and tubing.
http://www.sciplus.com/p/GLASS-TUBE-CUTTER_3874
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Rebecca
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2014-07-10, 4:51pm
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HotFlash Designs
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welcome to LE!!! And welcome to the world of lampwork. The community is awesome, and you will find a wealth of information right here on LE.
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Sheri
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2014-07-11, 4:21am
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hyperT
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Join Date: Jan 31, 2013
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Score the glass where you want to cut it with a carbide cutter or even a file. Rub your thumb across the score mark (this will make it break easier). Put both hands on either side of the score mark about 4 to 6 inches apart, place the rod up close to your body with the score mark facing out pull apart and back. It will break. If there are any protrusions on the end of the rod knock it off, it is very sharp and can give you a nasty cut. Then when you are done playing rush right out and get a decent cutter.
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2014-07-13, 11:27am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 08, 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rnmcginnis
Score the rod with a tungsten glass cutter (usually a triangular blade so there are three cutting surfaces) or a new, small, fine triangular file. Just score about 1/3 of the circumference of the rod. Hold the rod with your thumbs on each side of the score and the score facing away from you. Snap the rod by pulling the ends toward you and pushing the scored section away from you.
Another method is to wet the score and touch it with a small (pea size or smaller) gather of molten glass. The rod will usually break cleanly or will require less effort to snap.
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This is my method too. Easy and cheap.
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2014-07-13, 3:03pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 02, 2010
Posts: 3,382
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Just an additional thought here. Years ago Tom Holland recommended cutting rods under water, as the glass microscopic glass shards wafting off the break go right into your lungs.
You might also try doing your cutting with your exhaust fan running.
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ESC
Soft glass on a Minor/concentrator since 1996
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