Essential Tools You Need When Cutting Glass
Are you preparing to cut glass? It is very important to understand that the process is very delicate and requires various tools to do a safe and accurate job. So, it is very important to understand the essential tools to have the right tools for accomplishing the job. Read on to discover some of the tools you need to cut glass.
Eyewear
The eyes are very delicate but important body parts. And, working with glass is a risky process with tiny specs flying everywhere. Therefore, having eyewear handy ensures that your eyes are safe throughout the process. You will have peace of mind while working that no piece of glass comes flying into your eyes. Wearing protective eyewear is smart working.
Gloves
Before starting to cut glass, you need a pair of gloves. Glass has very sharp edges after its cut. So, grabbing it at the wrong angle might cause a bad injury. The solution is to have a quality pair of safety gloves to protect you from injury. Opt for gloves that are extremely flexible to allow better precision when cutting glass. Any pair of protective gloves is good as long as it is cut-resistant, washable, and durable.
Glass cutter
To cut a surface mirror requires cutting on the side with laminate to give a clean cut. To cut standard glass, either side is ideal. You need a quality glass cutting system to make the process of cutting easier. This is necessary if making similar cuts off a piece of glass using clip-in pieces as a placeholder. Ensure to get a straightedge in place to ensure that the pieces of glass you’re cutting are clean and have straight lines.
It is very important to determine where you’re to cut the glass and to make tiny marks using a marker. Afterward, draw lines on the straightedge sing the mark while ensuring that it is straight. Then, you can get glass cutting tools and other accessories to get the job done. Mind the gap between the edge of the device and the head. When placing the glass for cutting, leave extra space between the straightedge and score wheel.
Scoring tool
The next step is to cut glass. It is necessary to hold the scoring tool so the longer edge appropriately towards you. You have to angle the scoring too while tightly holding on to the glass to keep it in a single position. From that edge of the glass, apply pressure firmly using the scoring tool. Don’t stop until you hear a scoring sound then you drag it to your side. When it sounds like a nail on a chalkboard, just know you’re not doing it the correct way.
Glass pliers
You need a good grip when cutting glass. This is only possible with a pair of glass pliers. After cutting a scoreline in glass, you need a clean break. You have to use plate glass pliers made specially to increase pressure gradually to the score until a line appears on the glass to cover the whole score length. The line in the middle of the clamp comes up with a scoreline. After matching the lines, applying pressure after squeezing the handles will snap the glass.
Glass cutter oil
When cutting glass, you have to ensure a slick operation. So, keeping cutting oil handy is strongly recommended. Keep this in mind when cutting too many glasses. You will need enough oil to take you through cutting all the glasses you need. There’s a continuous need to replace oil as you cut glass. And, appropriate lubrication saves time and effort when using the glass cutter.
Extra cutting wheels
You will appreciate having some extra cutting wheels. Doing this ensures that you won’t have to worry about wheels that break or become dull when you still have more grass to cut. In case of such situations, you will just have spare cutting wheels handy to keep you going. Ensure to stock up on the right wheels to match your glass type and thickness.
Glass pad
You need to keep your project protected using a glass pad. This is a firm flat surface for placing under the piece of glass you’re working on before cutting. Having a glass pad in place limits the score lines from wandering all over the place and causing the glass to crack unevenly. The ideal glass pad allows thin soft cutting to keep the glass safe from scratches from the workbench ad holding it firmly to allow cutting accurately.
Wrapping up
Before a glass cutting project, you need to prepare adequately. This means having all the tools you’re to use. Items such as protective eyewear and gloves help keep your eyes and hands safe while working. Additionally, you need a quality glass cutting machine to make your work easier and clean.