use glass to make small homes appear bigger

Tempered Glass Cutting Tips

2 May 2016

James Riley

The difference in tension between the inner and outer surfaces of tempered glass is one of the things that make the glass tough. And while this is great when it comes to making the glass durable and less dangerous, it usually makes it hard to cut the glass. This is because it increases the risks of the glass crumbling into small pieces, something that can render the whole plate of glass useless. Here are glass-cutting tips that you will find useful when cutting tempered glass.

Cleaning the glass

It is important that you properly clean the glass before starting the glass-cutting process. This is because dirt and dust particles can get in the way of the glasscutter. As a result, you may end up with uneven cuts, something that will complicate the glass-snapping stage of the cutting process.

For a flawless cutting process, use a window washing solution to clean the tempered glass. And after you are done, give it enough time to dry before proceeding to the next step.

Annealing the glass

Tempered glass is usually under stress. Getting rid of this stress is necessary so as to keep the glass from shattering during the cutting process.

To do this, you will need to place the glass in a craft oven. You will then have to heat the glass to about 940 degrees Fahrenheit. After you are done, switch off the oven and let it cool down – with the glass still inside the oven. Doing so will allow both the inner and outer surfaces of the glass to cool at the same rate. This will then reduce the level of stress within the glass and hence reducing the risks of crumbling.

Cutting the glass

There are two things that you can do to increase the chances of getting a smooth cut. The first is making sure that the glass is placed on a flat surface when cutting it. This will ensure that the cutter presses on the glass with the same amount of pressure throughout the cut, something that will not only reduce the risks of shattering, but also make it easier to separate the cuts. The second thing that you can do is to dip the glass cutter in kerosene before smoothly running the cutter over the glass.

Separating the cut glass

To separate the cuts, simply place your hands on either side of the line and then press downwards. This should be enough to separate the two pieces of glass down the cutting line. After you are done, use a whetstone to smooth the edges for a cleaner finish. Contact a business, such as the Glass Service Center Inc, for more information.   

Share

Search