How Does Glass Cutter Work?

How Does Glass Cutter Work?

Before diving into how this tool works, let’s first understand what a glass cutter is. It is a tool that comes in handy when one intends to create a stain glass mosaic. However, it is also ideal for setting a windowpane or any other project that involves cutting glass.

It contains two distinct parts. The first one is the cutting part. As the name suggests, it does the curtain. Its form varies from one model to another, and it can be either a sharp blade wheel or a sharp blade. Regardless of how it looks like, it is usually lubricated to avoid friction and ensure that it moves freely.

The second one is the handle. Its length makes it easy for the user to hold it firmly and steadily for accuracy. Some also have an oil chamber. It facilitates the creation of an oiled scoreline. What connects the oil and the wheel for that is a string. Now that you understand the components of a glass cutter, it is time to understand how it works. The process requires three stages, as discussed below.

1. Preparation

First and foremost, create a conducive working area. It should be not only large but also flat. It should also be relatively soft to avoid scratching the glass during cutting. Last but not least, ensure that it is easy to clean. Children and pets are discouraged from being around the area, given the danger that glass poses. Also, avoid going for the floor or carpet in case glass shatters and pieces are all over the place.

In addition to that, ensure that the area of the glass surfaces that you plan to cut around or across is clean. Otherwise, it will be hard to be accurate. Then, find your glass cutter as well as some light oil. Last but not least, measure as well as mark the area that you want to score.

2.Glass Scoring

You will have to dip your glass cutter into the light oil. Hold it like a pen and align its wheel with the part that you want to cut. Using a thick desk ruler or yardstick, lay out a straight edge.

Next, apply some pressure on the glass using the glass cutter. Pull the latter along the surface of the former. At the same time, roll the wheel. Ensure that you don’t hear a gritty sound. If you hear it, you better lubricate your glass cutter or stop pushing it too hard. Then, run it smoothly without running back and forth from one edge to the other only once.

Finally, check your score. See to it that it runs from one edge to another and also barely visible and not popping. As a matter of fact, it should look like a small scratch.

3. Breaking and Smoothing

Hold the glass, each part of a different hand, like a potato chip. Using your wrist, apply minor pressure on the sides, and aim at breaking the glass along the score. Once you have two pieces, remove the sharp edges with the help of a sharpening stone or fine sandpaper. When cutting a curve, follow the same process. However, ensure that the score you make corresponds with the desired shape. Which tools do you need to use with a glasscutter?

So far, we know that you will need glass, glass cutter, and lubricant to cut glass. There is also a yardstick and a desk ruler. They are helpful, and their purposes have been highlighted above. Nevertheless, there are also other tools used together with a glass cutter to give great results.

Another important tool is the running pliers. Once you score your glass, use it to break the glass. In case you need to change pointed edges to round edges, go for a grozing tool. It is also ideal for nibbling at rough edges. Last but not least, consider having a tape measure. It will ensure that you cut accurate pieces.

Tips for cutting glass. Glass is delicate. That’s why you need to be keen when cutting glass. Here are a number of tips to think about every time you are cutting glass using a glass cutter Clean your working area between cuts, so that glass chips and shards don’t break your glass unexpectedly. A clean paintbrush or a bench brush will help you clean all the pieces from the previous cut. For the rough edges, use a Glass grinder. If you have grozing pliers, use its ridges. Otherwise, the pieces won’t fall into place when working with one pattern during the building.

Unless it proves futile, use your hands to break the glass. However, if that doesn’t work, go for the glass breaking pliers. As far as breaking grozing combo pliers are concerned, always ensure the curved side is under the glass, and the flat one remains on top. When creating a scoreline, never go back on forth on the same scoreline. In the event that the scoreline doesn’t go well, move more they ¼ inch and make a new scoreline.

Without having even a single gap, make a score from one edge to another. While on it, don’t apply too much pressure when using the glass cutter. Failure to heed to that advice will result in the wheels crushing your glass. How do you know that you are overscoring? First, if you note that chips of glass are flying from the scoreline. Secondly, if the color of the scoreline is bright white. Under such circumstances, you will have to reduce the pressure.

Pattern templates should be at least one or two inches from the edge of your glass. Use the glass cutter while standing so that you can apply the right amount of pressure. Ample lighting is good for your working room. Take care of your eyes by securing a pair of safety glasses. Lubricate your glass cutter and always ensure that you check the oil level before cutting. The glass cutter should not only be durable but also offer a great grip.