Cut Costs By Cutting Your Own Glass

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One good way to save a bundle on glass is to seek out old storefront windows. These plate glass wonders are usually scratched, chipped, painted, and lettered over, but you'd be surprised how quickly a razor blade and some paint stripper will tidy things up . . . and the price is usually right, if you volunteer to scrape the paint off yourself.

TOWN DUMPS? Why not? Better to be down in the dumps than to be without glass.

HOW TO CUT GLASS. . . THE RIGHT WAY

The following basic techniques should get you through most glass-cutting jobs. Needless to say, you should practice on unusable bits and pieces first.

[1] Dust off the top of your cutting surface, preferably a smooth table.

[2] Lay out all tools: oil, pliers, tape measure, straightedge, and glass cutter. (I always use either a Flatter or Red Devil cutter, which in my estimation are the most reliable brands. Whatever you do, don't go in for a combination cutting tool, screwdriver, knife sharpener, and Lord knows what else. Just a glass cutter, please.)

[3] Place the pane or sheet you want to trim or divide on the table and be sure the area which you intend to cut is scrupulously clean . . . no paint, dirt, putty, etc.

[4] Next, hold a straightedge against the glass and run a thin stream of lightweight oil down the cutting line (Photo 2).

[5] Now, "make your mark". Bear down firmly-but not stiffly!—with the cutter and score the glass in one even, sweeping motion (Photo 3). If you score the glass properly, you'll hear a very pleasant clicking sound. Remember, the cutter only scratches the surface . . . it doesn't cut through. If you see little flakes of glass flying into the air during this part of the operation, it means that either you forgot the oil or your cutter is too sharp or you're bearing down with the weight of Gibraltar.

[6] After you've scored—as we say in this business-go right ahead and-snap the piece in two. (Don't wait around, or it may not snap as cleanly.) Photos 4 through 7 show several ways of making the break.

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