Wine Bottle wine glasses............

KAS · #1 2013-04-25, 5:24pm

Has anyone made wine glasses from cutting off the bottoms of wine bottles? I'd like to make a set for my SIL but don't know where to start. Is there a special tool/machine needed for cutting the bottle and how would I smooth out the top of the glass so it would be comfortable when drinking? Any suggestions or info would be very much appreciated.
Thank you!
Kathleen

Sue in Maine · #2 2013-04-25, 5:37pm

Yes, that would be Pam and I have to say her Grey Goose Vodka bottle finds are MAGNIFICENT as drinking glasses. I am sporadically collecting them from our bottle redemption center. So far, I have 3 and look forward to making a set- someday!

I'll let others give you tips as I'm in the major rookie category here.

Sue

Sue in Maine · #3 2013-04-25, 5:40pm

Pam donated a couple to our Maine Glass Jam Door Prize collection. Are these not wonderful!!!

Sue

KAS · #4 2013-04-25, 5:53pm

Wow!!! Those glasses are great! Hopefully I'll get some tips on how to make them. Thanks for posting Sue

flaming_fools · #5 2013-04-25, 5:59pm

Every self-respecting hippie in the 1970 had all their glassware homemade from recycled wine bottles. you can also epoxy the tops of the bottles, next to flat or punted bottom (champagne bottles) and have stemware.

KAS · #6 2013-04-25, 6:01pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by flaming_fools

Every self-respecting hippie in the 1970 had all their glassware homemade from recycled wine bottles. you can also epoxy the tops of the bottles, next to flat or punted bottom (champagne bottles) and have stemware.

In the 70's, I was in no condition to trust myself with a glasscutter!

pamw@sacoriver.net · #7 2013-04-25, 6:21pm

Greetings,
Thanks Sue for the kudos.. I have cut mine with both a tile saw and a glass bottle cutter that you score a line and then use a candle and an ice cube to finish the crack. I love my tile saw but find that the glass bottle cutter is MUCH less messy. Both work fine.

I am very fortunate because I own a flat lap. I grind and polish the edge. The tricky thing is to add a slight bevel on the drinking glass. If you do it completely flat, it feels strange in your mouth. If you look at your drinking glasses, they are rounded on the top.

I wonder if you could fire polish the top if you pre-heat it in the kiln and then use your torch... Hmmm something for me to try this weekend.

pm me if you have any questions.

Pam

KAS · #8 2013-04-25, 6:24pm

I found this video........... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1386438.html Thanks Pam for the info. This looks like a fun (and useful) project. I have a glass sander that I use for sanding glass pieces for stained glass panels....would that round out the edges without breaking the bottle?

pamw@sacoriver.net · #9 2013-04-25, 6:32pm

I use the flat lap to do the outside and if I am not feeling lazy, I use a dremmel for the inside to round it some. I mostly just round the outside. And, it is the Ephram's cutter I use. Some people have difficulties with it, but if you follow the directions, it is quite easy. If your glass sander is a grinder, I think that it can chip glass- depending on what your grit is. On the flat lap, I go all the way to a final polish with cerium oxide.

KAS · #10 2013-04-25, 6:37pm

Thanks Pam....found the Ephram's cutter on Amazon for $31. Will practice on some ugly bottles with my glass grinder. Worth a try anyway. Your Grey Goose glasses are so beautiful BTW. Oh, and good tip to round the edges

losthelm · #11 2013-04-25, 7:56pm

Just be careful of the glass dust.
The edge can be fire polished if you have a glass lathe or something to evenly heat the top edge.
I have been sanding the edges on mine with wet dry sandpaper from the auto supply shop.
Just a little water seams to keep the dust under control.
Small strips of sand paper on dowels let me bevel the edge a bit.

Otter · #12 2013-04-25, 9:04pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAS

Thanks Pam....found the Ephram's cutter on Amazon for $31. Will practice on some ugly bottles with my glass grinder. Worth a try anyway. Your Grey Goose glasses are so beautiful BTW. Oh, and good tip to round the edges

I have Ephram's bottle cutter it works well a bit of a learning curve but cuts a good straight line.

Have fun,

bob · #13 2013-04-26, 4:50am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

I have Ephram's bottle cutter it works well a bit of a learning curve but cuts a good straight line.

Have fun,

I cant get a bottle cutter to work, some have better luck with them. I use a wet saw with a good glass blade from hisglassworks.com and then polish on my expando drum.
Bob

KAS · #14 2013-04-26, 6:37am

Thanks to everyone for the good info

I've already asked family and friends to save nicely colored bottles and ordered the cutter that Pam uses.

losthelm · #15 2013-04-26, 4:05pm

Try the local night clubs and bars.
The thicker walled bottles, and non round bottles are harder to cut.