Re: ATM LIttle Glass Buttons

[Aplanatic@aol.com]

Hi Vladimir,

> I wander Dave if you have actually tried to 
> do it by yourself or you only think that 
> it must be simple even for a novice.

Yes, I have tried it myself.  Linda uses the carbide wheel type cutter that has a swivel head and an oil resevoir.  Although she can cut 1/2" wide strips up to 10" long in single-strength plate glass, I have trouble with this length, prefering to stay under about 6".

She always uses a cutting fluid and prefers kerosine.

For the plate glass strips she does not tap the glass before breaking.  She just places the scribed line over the edge of her table and uses flat nosed pliers (available at stained glass supply stores) to make the break.  The pliers grip the glass in the middle of the strip and a sharp downward torque is applied.  Amazingly, the strips almost always break cleanly.

Cutting the strips into squares is easy.  She makes a series of light scribes with the wheel across the strip, places the strip on the end of her bench as before and starts snapping off squares.  Very fast, very easy.

She passes on this advice:  Always use cutting oil.  Get the right pair of pliers.  Always clean the glass very well before cutting (apparently, dirt and dust can cause uneven breaks because the scribe is not even).  Never go back over a scribe.  Start the scribe with a slight backward motion before scribing away from you.  Use a slow, even motion when scribing the line.  Be agressive when breaking the glass.

Dave Rowe