My glass doesn't fit - solved

[Benevolance]

So I picked up my sheet of glass this afternoon for the monitor screen.

In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have ordered the glass sized so tightly to my cabinet dimensions. When I measure top, middle and bottom of the gap, the distances were within 1/16", so I figured I was safe and square. But my cabinet must not be square, because the glass doesn't fit horizontally. And since I'm fairly certain the glass was cut with 90 degree corners...the problem is probably my construction.

I can rotate the glass 90 degrees and build some rails out from the side to hold the glass in place. Sort of a wooden bezel to hold the glass in position. However, it looks like I will only need to remove about 1/16" from the glass for it to slide in place. 1/8" at the absolute most. I've never worked with glass before - how difficult is it to grind it down evenly?

If worse comes to worse, it was only $17 for the glass: I'll just buy another. But I'd rather try to solve the problem with the piece I've already got. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[leapinlew]

When I've had glass cut, I bring in a template I've made from wood. This helps them, and allows me to "test fit" before hand. This doesn't do you much good now, but if you end up getting a new piece recut - perhaps you can cut some wood to fit first.

As for trimming this glass, I don't know what your options are. Perhaps you can trim an 1" off each of the sides and put in some sort of molding around the glass for it to sit in.

[Benevolance]

Lew, that's a really good idea. I'll keep it in mind for next time.

When I got home from work I had a bit more time to play with the setup. I used my square to check the angles and, well, it wasn't quite square, but it was within 1/32". It really didn't make sense to me that the glass wouldn't fit then, because I had used the smallest distance of the gap when I ordered. I figured I ought to have been able to get one edge of the glass in place, along the bottom where the distance is its widest. So I measured the glass and the glass is too large. They cut 26-9/16" instead of 26-7/16". Tomorrow I'll have to see if they can correct that.

Incidentally, I did look up glass cutting. It doesn't seem that hard. The only drawback is that a cutter costs about $30, whereas a new sheet of glass would cost me $17. And I'm not sure that a glass cutter is really intended to shave off such small amounts.

[Necro]

Assuming your talking about one of the little metal tools with the wheel and the little ball for tapping, they aren't.  They are made for cutting glass pieces, but not really shaving it.  I have a feeling it could splinter/shatter in your hands if you try it.

[Blanka]

Well, if it is not what you asked for, then return it!
And please start working in MM (Obama please make it second hidden priority in the elections). Way easier to prevent errors like this.
I just ordered 599x599mm, and I get 599x599mm.
With those crappy inches, they may not be upset by some rounding errors of 1/8th inch.

[Kevin Mullins]

I just have to ask .... is that glass tempered ??

[thatitalian]

another reason why I prefer lexan polycarbonate. I feel for you mate, there is nothing more annoying as it is diffcult to get the measurements spot on unless the construction is also spot on.

Have you considered using lexan?

[Benevolance]

Where were you people in favour of lexan when I had my glass vs acrylic thread?! 

Yes, the glass is tempered. I'm going to phone about exchanging the glass today, or see if they can re-cut.

[Twinpanther]

Sorry to tell ya but no one will touch tempered.  99% of the time it will simply shatter.  I've drilled enough aquariums and when you come across an unlabeled tempered glass and start drilling the BOOM/shatter effect is quite exciting, LOL.  I think you'll just need to buy a new piece or go Lexan.  Although, I have to say you are getting a great price.  I just ordered a piece 24x24 and it's costing me $35.

Either way you go, good luck.

Twin

[Kevin Mullins]

Although, I have to say you are getting a great price. 

That's exactly why I asked if it were tempered. For the price he got it for i thought it might have been standard glass, which isn't a good idea for a machine. (safety reasons)

But if you are getting a tempered piece that size for that price ..... 

And it's not re-cutable.
Tempered glass is cut to size before the temper process.
It may be sandable or ground to fit with proper equipment and cooling, but you are talking about an 1/8in which is quite a bit for an at home job.
And in your case since they got the wrong dimensions to begin with.... get them to replace it.

[Benevolance]

It was not, in fact, tempered, despite my request on the PO. Spent some time sorting it out with them this morning and now everything is kosher.

[DeLuSioNal29]

So what did they "sort out"?  Did they re-cut it and then temper it?  Did you have to pay them anything additional?

[Benevolance]

I'm getting it recut and tempered. I'm paying the difference for the tempering - since it's a company I regularly do business with, and I wasn't going to be a dink over an extra $14.

[Kevin Mullins]

Glad to hear you sorted it all out....... and also glad you found out ahead of time that it wasn't indeed tempered so that they could correct it now.
Thought something was a bit off with the pricing.

[Benevolance]

As a curiosity, is tempering really that important? I know it shatters more safely. But in all our years of owning and renting, we've never had any glass panes break. I assume all our glass is tempered, but I've never checked.

[protokatie]

As a curiosity, is tempering really that important? I know it shatters more safely. But in all our years of owning and renting, we've never had any glass panes break. I assume all our glass is tempered, but I've never checked.

It's not important until it breaks, and slices through an artery. Then it is important. Its one of the "insurance" things. You hope you never need it, but it is a good thing to have. Besides, if you get mad at a game you can punch the glass and get the satisfaction of seeing thousands of pieces of glass fly everywhere

[Kevin Mullins]

But in all our years of owning and renting, we've never had any glass panes break.

Owning and renting WHAT though?

Tempered glass is harder and more durable than sheet glass.
And if it should break, then that's when safety part comes into to play.

Imagine a fairly tight fitting piece of sheet glass in an arcade cabinet.... now move that cabinet and visualize the stresses being put on the glass, a little twisting, a little bumping around, etc. Plain sheet glass doesn't like all that very well and tends to break into lovely razor sharp shards.
Not to mention when people are playing on a cab and beating the dickens out of it or possibly poking at and smacking the glass.

Doing the same with a piece of tempered glass is more likely to have less a chance of it breaking.

Sheet glass is good for sliding straight up and down on tracks..... they're called  "windows".

It's also kinda like asking why do they use tempered glass on pinball machines instead plain sheet glass ?
I have a Hyperball machine that will show you exactly why they use tempered. 

[Benevolance]

So my tempered glass will actually be more durable than ordinary glass when it arrives, then? That's good information to know. What about the child safety glass film you can buy to upgrade ordinary glass? Has anyone tried that?

Sorry for the questions, but I don't know a whole lot about glass.

Owning and renting WHAT though?

Owning and renting houses. A lot of our tables and cabinets have glass inserts, but we've always removed those when the furniture got moved.

[protokatie]

So my tempered glass will actually be more durable than ordinary glass when it arrives, then? That's good information to know. What about the child safety glass film you can buy to upgrade ordinary glass? Has anyone tried that?

Just dont drop the tempered glass on its edges. Tempered is weak along the edge and will shatter easily. Prolly wont hurt you, but you would be out a piece of glass.