Cutting Lots of Glass

Phoenix · #1 2006-05-16, 2:09pm

Reaching out for some advice after the local hardware store sent me packing

I've read at least once in here that a wet saw could be used for cutting glass rods. If you had lots of glass rods to cut- is there a specialty tool or could a wet saw be used? would you go to something else completely? I've got a nipper and have cut by hand- but i'm looking for quicker and easier on the hands for large amounts.

Assuming wet saw- a standard tile wet saw?

Thanks guys- I know we have people here doing it- I appreciate the help!

Teague · #2 2006-05-16, 2:34pm

Just uh send some of that glass over here and I'll tell ya how to cut it.

Teague

Just Nancy · #3 2006-05-16, 2:42pm

I asked about using my diamond bladed ring saw that is typically sold for stained glass. There were lots of suggestions ranging from using it, nippers, to scoring and snapping over a pencil (I think). I haven't gotten my storage unit in the mail yet, so I haven't started cutting down my rods.

If you go the scoring route you could use a glass cutter from the hardware or a glass scribe type tool. I'm not sure what it's called, it looks a little like a cheap box cutter but the blade isn't the same. Maybe you can find that thread in this section. If I find it I'll post.

Teague · #4 2006-05-16, 2:43pm

I think you should email the suppliers directly, ask Mike from Frantz how he cuts 15 tons of glass.

Teague

Phoenix · #5 2006-05-16, 2:44pm

Thanks Teague- that's next in my list- sometimes this is the fast route though and I could go shoping on the way home

Phoenix · #6 2006-05-16, 2:44pm

I seem to remember Mike saying he hires Bill to cut and clean- so I'll try him also

Three Muses Glass · #7 2006-05-16, 3:41pm

You can do it with a standard wet saw, but the blade you'll get with the machine is pretty thick, so you'll lose more glass than a specialty blade. We're talking maybe 1/4" for the regular blade as opposed to around 1/16 or so for a thinner glass blade. If you've got 15 tons of glass to cut you might be able to afford that 1/4" per cut.

Just make sure it comes with a continuous rim diamond blade, meaning there are no gaps around the blade and make sure the water is getting onto the glass when you cut. You can bundle the rods up and cut quite a few with one pass, depending on how large a tile saw you get. They should all have the depth max cut in the box or directions.

Just Nancy · #8 2006-05-16, 3:48pm

Here are the other responses.

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=19759

Phoenix · #9 2006-05-16, 4:13pm

Thank you both! Since some of the colors are in ten pounds or less- i'd hate to mess them up with bad cutting!

Venessa · #10 2006-05-16, 7:39pm

So, uh, you comin to the Bead Retreat this weekend?
And, if you are, is some of that glass coming with you?

Phoenix · #11 2006-05-16, 9:28pm

Vanessa- I have a can't miss baptism and kids all weekend- and the guy with the glass keys is in Florida until Monday! I am working to see if he can have someone else let me in and grab some of it- but it's not looking good so far...

I'm looking forward to getting it in people's hands though!