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How To Score And Cut Glass
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There are different styles and a variety of glass clutters. There is a the right way, the wrong way, efficient, less efficient way in which to do
things, all of these take time to develop into your own personal preference.
Scoring and cutting glass just needs a good technique. Holding the glass cutter at the right angle to the glass takes a little time to perfect,
but you will get used to it very quickly, and in time develop your own style.
What follows is an overview of the tools you may require and a demonstration of how to use the tools and the techniques required to use them.
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Rulers and Squares
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Metal Rulers
These come in various sizes the most common being 18” and 24”. The Ruler has a non-slip cork backing to eliminate slippage on glass and
other smooth surfaces. The cork also raises the ruler high enough so that a cutter head tip will ride along the ruler edge without
hanging up on it.
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L-Square
For squaring the edge of glass pieces up to 12.5" in width. Different sizes are available.
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Combination Square
12” Combination Square with 30/60/90 degrees. Does the same job but with a few extras.
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Glass Cutters for Scoring the Glass
Although the tools are called glass cutters they don’t really cut the glass at all, what they do is to score a line on the glass.
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Toyo Super Cutter
The original brass super cutter, it was first introduced more than twenty years ago and is a durable favorite of the professional. It features a heavy
brass barrel and an automatic lubrication system activated when pressure is applied to the head.
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Toyo Pistol Grip Cutter
The pistol grip allows your hand to wrap comfortably around this easy-to-use cutter for hours of cutting. It has a self-oiling head which provides a free rolling wheel and
consistent score line. This is a favorite of experienced professionals and hobbyists. Toyo is also a great buy.
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Fletcher Cutter
Has an automatic lubrication system activated when pressure is applied to the head. It features a comfortable contoured handle design
and a 140 degree tungsten carbide cutting wheel for general purpose cutting.
This is the one I use the most.
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Running Tools for Breaking the Glass
Use running pliers to ‘run’ a score along glass and break glass pieces with ease. Simply position the jaws of these durable metal pliers at the end
of your score on the edge of the glass, and gently squeeze for a clean break. Convenient centering mark helps the curved jaw to exert equal pressure
on each side of the score.
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| Running Pliers |
Silberschnitt Running Pliers |
Ringstar Running Pliers |
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Marking Pens
You can get marking pens for your glass at your local office supplier or a general store.
Sharpie Marker
Great for marking glass when you're ready for grinding or drawing patterns. Let it dry before you start grinding. They are low cost pen for marking
on glass and are smear resistant. There are lots of different sized tips available. They clean off easily with glass cleaner and there is a great
color choice. Sharpie Paint pens are also available, these are very good also.
Stabilo
These amarking pens are designed expressly for marking on glass. They are quick drying and easy to read because of the broader soft tip. Your marks
will not rub off under normal contact, but can be removed if necessary. These pens are great for marking cut lines or patterns.
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Preparation
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Give the piece of glass a quick clean to remove any dirt or dust. Always make sure your glass cutter has been oiled before you start,
this lubricates the cutting wheel and helps to prevent chipping and splintering of the glass surface as you score.
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Place the glass on your cutting surface, I use the rubbery material they use for cupboard liners, it works great and is easy to use. It can
also be rolled up and any small shards of glass that have collected can be emptied into your scrap glass bin.
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Mark on your glass with a sharpie pen at the top and bottom where you want to score the line.
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We are now ready to begin scoring the glass.
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Holding your Glass Cutter
Choosing a glass cutter for the first time can be difficult with so many on the market. I myself use a Fletcher Cutter and my son prefers a Toyo
Pistol grip, and all of these glass cutters do the same job, it just comes down to personal preference.
The key is to hold it the right way, always upright with the cutting wheel at 90 degrees to the glass surface and never to the left or right. It
takes time to acquire the skill and plenty of practice.
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| Correct Postion |
Wrong Postion |
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| Correct Postion |
Wrong Postion |
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Cutting Direction
There are two ways to use your glass cutter, either way works, choose the one that feels most comfortable for you.
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Pushing
Push the cutting tool away from you and up the glass.
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Pulling
Pull the cutter towards you and down the glass.
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Scoring the Glass
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Place the ruler just away from the marked points. Make sure your glass cutting wheel touches the ruler and the top and bottom lines
where you have marked. Press down the ruler with one hand and starting at the top line press down on your glass cutter and pull the
cutter down the ruler holding it at the correct angle. Roll the cutter off of the end of the glass maintaining the same pressure the
whole distance.
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You are now ready to run the score using your next tool - the Running Pliers.
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Breaking the Glass
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There are many variants of these tools available but these are the ones I use.
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Simply position the jaws of these pliers at the end of your score on the edge of the glass centering the tool on the score.
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Gently squeeze for a clean break. The curved jaw exerts equal pressure on each side of the score. You will hear a sound like the glass has
snapped, this tells you that the score has run the break and is finished.
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If it doesn’t totally break apart then just try giving it a little wiggle by hand moving the glass in an up and down motion with both hands, this
usually does the trick.
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Alternatives to the Process
Some other tools you can use when making your score line. All of these straight line tools do the same job it’s just what you prefer to use and are
comfortable with using.
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All Done!
Thanks for taking the time to read this guide, we hope that it has helped with your first tentative steps to scoring and cutting (breaking)
glass.
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