Cut Costs By Cutting Your Own Glass

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The whole idea of scoring is to weaken the glass by focusing internal stresses along a single path. These stresses are then relieved as you break the glass in two.

[7] Finally, if necessary, you should smooth the edges of the two new panes or window lights with wet emery cloth (or with a grinder, if one is available).

HOW TO CUT LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS

First score the glass on one side, and press your thumbs firmly on the unscored side until you hear the etched side snap. Then score and snap the other side. Finally, apply a thin stream of lighter fluid to either cut, ignite, and step back.

When the fire has gone out, the heat will have weakened the plastic between the layers of glass and you can cut the two pieces apart with a razor blade.

SOME SUGGESTIONS

You'll find that new (that is, sharp) cutters work best on window glass, while cutters that have been around awhile-and no longer have their original keen edge-do best on plate and safety glass.

A final tip: Instead of tossing away all those seemingly unusable shards of glass which begin to accumulate, why not read Mary Lou Stribling's Art From FoundMaterials? With her ideas for glass mobiles and mosaics, she takes the concept of recycling a delightful—and welcome—step further.

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