How easy / hard is it to cut glass ?

[wbmkk]

My new greenhouse (2nd hand) is short of a few panes of glass, so I have been ring around various suppliers, for replacement costs.

For standard 24 x 24 the price varies from £3-30 to £4-99.

The cutting of the louvre glass also varies

This made me think ... how hard would it be to cut my own.

I have a few pieces of glass, including a few from the greenhouse, which only have a corner chipped off. These could be cut for the louvre.

Also, I have seen in charity shops some large glass framed pictures, well over 24 x 24 for as little as 50p.

If I got a glass cutter (only a couple of quid) I would be well on way to fixing up my GH for hardly any dosh ... saving money to buy more seeds

thanks for any advice provided

[Nicos]

Well....I have done it OK in the past.
I think the success may depend on the thickness and age of the glass though.
Just a thought.....
Isn't picture frame glass much thinner than greenhouse glass?...if so, it may break more easily in the high winds?

[RedThorn]

I never got the knack, broke more the succeeded.

Agree with Nicos re picture frame glass however do like the lateral thinking

[Bill HH]

It is a skill and needs practice, the secret seems to be in the confidence you develop. I find cutting glass is easy when you dont really want it, but when you come to cut the glass you need it all goes to pot, that can only mean you become more hesitant if its important.

[Capsid]

I've done it. I find you have to press hard to get that cutting noise and placing the glass on a blanket somehow helps.

[RaptorUK]

My new greenhouse (2nd hand) is short of a few panes of glass, so I have been ring around various suppliers, for replacement costs.

For standard 24 x 24 the price varies from £3-30 to £4-99.

The cutting of the louvre glass also varies

This made me think ... how hard would it be to cut my own.

It's not difficult, but you have to bear in mind a few things:

• old glass is more troublesome to cut than new glass, more prone to breaking where you don't want it to rather than where you have scored
• the obvious dangers, don't move your hand/fingers along an edge, across an edge is OK
• you need a good glass cutter
• you need a flat clean surface to lay your glass on, you will need to apply very firm pressure as you "cut"

[bearded bloke]

All the above plus

Dip the cutter wheel in white spirit (lubricates wheel on pin)

After scoring the glass put a ruler (or 2) under the glass (central to the cut line) push evenly on the glass

When snapping the glass wear leather gloves/push down on a good thickness of rolled up rag

[WendyC]

Would it be worth asking the glass suppliers if they would cut the glass you already have, then you are only paying for their time (and skill) and likely to have fewer casualties than if you start cutting? They can only say no!

[alldigging]

Not so easy.

[bretty666]

Hi. these are things you could do. use an angle grinder with a diamond disk on...most peiple have this in their tool collection ? put a good sticky tape on both sides where you intend to cut to avoid shards flying around the place.draw your line on the tape where you intend to cut then a flat peice of wood on the left tipside and the same undernrath then put your foot onthe two peices of wood which will damp down vibration and cut with the grinder..if this is too vague let me know and i will go take some pics of how i mean.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Quite easy if you follow a few simple rules and have a little practice on an unwanted piece.

First your glass cutter, the best ones are diamond cutters but these are far more difficult for the beginner to use. Therefore I would suggest a decent wheel cutter, these usually come with several wheels already attached.

Second make sure your glass is clean no bits off grit or anything else a good wash usually works. Get yourself a nice flat work surface that can support the whole sheet to be cut by flat I mean something like ply board or a work surface. I like to cover this with a soft material that also should be vigorously brushed to ensure there are no bits of dirt that can come into contact with the glass.

Third always try a test piece to ensure the cutter is running smoothly and that the wheel is sound. The slightest mark on the wheel will cause skipping leaving an incomplete score line. This is caused by folks trying to score the line twice something you should never do.

Always use a straight edge to work with I use a 3ft steel rule. Make sure the straight edge cannot move on the glass as you make your score mark. Hold the cutter vertically to the glass to be cut and make a single bold slow stroke on the glass ensuring you complete the score mark in one complete stroke. If there is skipping at this stage discard the glass and change the wheel on the cutter.

On a small piece of glass say 1ft x 1ft you can then flip over, stand it on its edge and gentle tap the score mark on the reverse side, you will see the glass starting to split at this stage you can snap it like a biscuit.

On a larger piece my preferred method is to use two dead matches, after scoring the work piece put a match directly under the score line one at either end of the mark and gentle push down on either side of the score line, this will result in a nice clean break.

If this is successful always brush clean your work area before going on to the next piece, otherwise there could be an unseen chip of glass on the bench and this will cause the next piece to shatter.

Safety. I always wear leather wrist bands to protect myself but a good pair of leather riggers glove will do just as well. Never put your skin next to the cut edge they can be as sharp as a surgeons scalpel and you will end up in A & E. When your handling the glass if it starts to slip LET IT FALL glass can be replaced severed fingers are much more problematic.

apart from that its easy peasy.

Potty

[hellybore]

Would it be worth asking the glass suppliers if they would cut the glass you already have, then you are only paying for their time (and skill) and likely to have fewer casualties than if you start cutting? They can only say no!

This is the route we took - the shop charged us £1 a sheet to cut it to size.

[Scarlet]

^^^ yes, good idea! I acquired a second hand greenhouse a few years ago and managed to get a load of old glass with it but it cracks at a drop of a hat and is very difficult to cut.

[Potstubsdustbins]

#13 I suspect you got hold of some old sheet glass this was the cheapo cheapo method of making glass and it could be hard work to cut.

Pilkingtons started making float glass in the 50s and that is much easier to work with.

Potty

[Highlander]

All the above but only cut once, if you make more than one score line (even if it is on the same line as the original) the glass has more chance to crack.
I would be suprised if getting horticultural glas cut to size is not going to be a better option than trying it yourself.
Plenty of advice on youtube if you want to have a go - good luck.