cutting glass?

[kudah440]

well, theres no end to the puzzles...
I have worked with glass a little (ok, just enough to break off an edge or shatter the whole thing) but im curious... If i have a 12x12x1/8 mirrored panel is there an easy way to cut a square in the center for a keypad?
its not worth the 10$ at the glass place and the 20$ in gas all for the sake of my silly ideas that i cant keep from popping into my head, but since i have a couple boxes of leftover mirror tiles i might as well entertain myself.

[RayB]

On the old TV shows, they always showed people cutting glass with diamond rings. 

[ChadTower]

If it is regular glass, maybe.

If it is tempered glass, forget it.

[kudah440]

Oh yeah, i forgot all about that... anyone have Batmans email address?  Im sure he has a glass cutter on his utility belt.
 

[Franco B]

I would forget it full stop.

I personally wouldn't attempt it.  Some one at a local glaziers/photo framers would happily cut it for you for peanuts.
Hell if you cant afford it, Ill pay for them to do it than try to do it yourself.

[kudah440]

but thats what the safety glasses and gloves are for.
If its really not recommended to try, thats fine.  I dont have to have it by any means, but it sounded challenging, and challenging is fun.

[Franco B]

Depends what you mean by safety gloves.

How are you intending to cut out a section of glass, just out of interest?

I just don't want to see (or be responsible for)  anyone attempting to score a square section out of some glass and them attempt to punch the middle out with some marigolds on.

[kudah440]

Whats a marigold have to do with gloves? lol
Well, I usually wear leather gloves when im working with glass.  Mechanix gloves for handling it,  or i have longer welding gloves when im trying to break it. (would hate to explain to the nurse how i slit my wrists)

[Franco B]

Apologies, marigolds is a term/brand for washing up gloves over here in blighty.



I am intrigued what your plans are with cutting the glass and what you intend to do with beveling etc the glass. I'm interested because I have a potential project myself but I'm not sure how to approach it.

[fjl]

Isn't glass section cutting done with diamond powdered bits? Do they by any chance sell any for routers?

[Xiaou2]

 They sell Glass cutter tools at most shops, and they are pretty inexpensive.

 Its simply tiny metal wheel that you press and roll to  "score"  the glass.

 Once its scored... you then overhand the edge over a desk,  and apply pressure
to snap off the piece.

 The other side of the tool has slots which can be used to grasp the edge with...
but thats more or less used for small pieces.

 The very bottom of the tool is a ball shape.   I believe its used to break away unwanted
pieces from the scored edge.   Or maybe to tap out a stubborn part lightly.
(I forget)

 
 And as stated... this is only for plate glass.. and not Tempered.  Tempered will shatter
(explode) instantly into millions of pieces.


 You are going to want to sand of edges down very carefully.   The edge is what
could very well slice your finger/wrist in an instant.


 As for Beveling...  I dont think it can be done...  or at least, not very easily.
I believe they use special cutters that are constantly wet lubricated with special
cutting fluid.


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2wt9S7SApo&feature=related[/youtube]

[MajorHavoc]

What you need to do is contact your local stained glass shop preferably one which offers classes.  They will likely have the tooling necessary.  What they will do is drill a hole through the glass and use a glass cutting saw similar to a scroll saw or bandsaw with a diamond blade to cut out your keypad aperture.  You will get nothing but heartaches if you try doing this yourself without the proper (sad to say rather pricey) tooling.  Look up Diamond Gryphon saws or Taurus 3 ring saw (the split blade for cutting holes is available as an accessory for about $70.00).  Nice tools but unless you are really into glass work they probably aren't worth the expense for a one off project. 

[emerica]

They sell Glass cutter tools at most shops, and they are pretty inexpensive.

 Its simply tiny metal wheel that you press and roll to  "score"  the glass.

 

not all cutters are the same. A ten dollar cutter will gice you a horrible cut. An oiled cutter works best but will set you back about a $75 and up depending on the cutter bought.

Having worked in glass for the past ten years, I do not recommend cutting this yourself. It would be worth your money and your gas to have a glazier cut your glass.

Also using leather gloves or mechanics gloves is a big no no when handling glass. The glass can cut right through those. we always use rubber coated glass gloves when working with any plate glass.

[kudah440]

Its all ok, I gave up on the idea and bought lexan that i can cut all i want.
Thats pretty interesting about the leather VS rubber gloves though...