How to Cut Glass Down to Size

Glass is utilised all over the home and it’s quite common for builders and architects to order large panels that need to be cut down to size. This is either to replace a broken window pane or for a new home that requires glass in doors, table tops and shelving. To ensure that the fabricated glass is ready for its intended purpose it needs to be cut down to the correct dimensions, cleaned and then tempered.

A good glass fabrication company will use traditional cutters for larger pieces and wheeled tile and nippers for small precise cuts. To ensure the best results when cutting glass you should always clean your cutter and the surface it is being used on before and after each use. Dirt and grime can interfere with the cutter’s operation, causing it to break or create uneven edges on the cut. It is also important to use a lubricant when operating the cutter. This is available as cutting oil or you can simply dab a little on the tip of your cutter.

Before using the cutter you should place the pane of glass on a flat, cushioned work surface like a plywood or a similar resilient material. This is to protect the surface of the glass and will make it easier to handle the cutter without scratching or marking it. It is also important to place the piece of glass on the surface with the markup sheet underneath it, which will help you keep track of the dimensions. This will help you to avoid the frustration of forgetting a score line and then having to repeat the process, which can be very time consuming.

Once the measurements have been taken and recorded carefully, it is time to prepare the cutter for its task. First, the cutter should be wiped down thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any dirt, dust or grease. This will make it easier to make the necessary straight and clean cut that is required. A little lubrication will also be helpful, this can be applied by simply dabbing a small amount of oil onto the tip of the cutter with a rag.

It is also important to note that once the score line is made, it cannot be retraced, this is because if the glass is moved and then re-scored the chances of a ragged edge are greatly increased. To avoid this, you should aim to score the glass in a position that will provide an equal volume of glass on either side of the line.

Once the glass is cut to size it is put through a tempering process, which is when the glass is heated and blasted with cool air in order to harden it. This will make it much stronger and more durable for its intended use, this is why it is so vitally important that the measurements are accurate, this will ensure that the finished glass has a high level of quality and integrity.

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