How to Cut Glass

There are all kinds of reasons to cut glass, such as doing some repair work on your windows, creating your own stained glass window, or making your own unique mirror you will need to know the basics of how to cut glass. Simply follow these directions, and you will soon have the glass ready to fit whatever needs you may have in mind.

Items needed:

• Tape measure
• Old large soft towel
• Two way tape
• 220 grit sand paper
• Speed square
• glass cutter
• Permanent marker
• Level

Directions:

1. Lay out the glass. The first step in cutting glass is to really prepare the work area. This is generally done by putting an old soft towel on a table, and then laying the mirror out on the towel. The towel will help protect the glass from accidental breaks, or even scratches from getting on the surface of the glass.
2. Create your design. With the glass now safely on the towel, you can begin creating your design, or marking off the space that you want to cut out. If you are going to be cutting out glass for a design or even to fit within a unique designed frame, you can simply place the pattern under the glass and use it as a guide. Since it will be easier to cut in straight lines than in curves, try to mark straight lines on the glass that is near where you will want to have the final design.
3. Begin cutting. Start cutting the glass with your glass with the glass cutter. Simply put this glass cutter will be scoring the glass so that it will be easier to "break" or cut the glass to your final design. You will want to run the cutter over the design several times so that you can get the score mark nice and deep, which will also help reduce any potential problems later on.
4. Gently apply pressure. Begin to gently apply pressure on the glass near the scored glass. You should always start on the outermost cut, so that you don't accidentally damage the glass. Use the least amount of pressure as possible. For some pieces of glass, you may want to place a soft washcloth onto the area, and gently tap the area with a spoon to help separate the glass. Continue the process until you have finished cutting out the design.
5. Sand the edges. Begin running the sand paper along the edges of the now cut glass. Use as little pressure as possible and long sure strokes. Use the least amount of pressure possible, and continue the process until the edges of the glass are nice and smooth, no longer sharp.
6. Clean up. There will likely be plenty of glass powder and slivers left over after you are finished, so you will need to do a bit of clean up. Be careful as you do this so that you are as careful as possible, since you could very easily be cut or hurt in some way.

Now that you have your glass cut you are fully prepared to put into whatever use you would like. Keep in mind that cutting glass is only the first step in making your replacement window pane, stained glass window, or even new mirror. All you really need to do is now put the glass you have ready to the proper use, and you are ready to go. Just beware that cut glass can be a little sharp, so you will want to use extreme caution when handling the cut glass.