The colored glass is cut to create the mosaics, especially in the stained glass windows, but also for the lampshades, furniture and fountains. Follow these instructions to cut it.
Steps
Step 1. Clean a work surface that is large and flat
Step 2. Lubricate the cutter
Dip the wheel in a little oil before each cut, to prolong its life and make it slide more smoothly on the glass.
Step 3. Draw a line
Use a marker and a straight edge of the work table to draw the cutting line. "Score" the glass with the cutter in a vertical position and slide it firmly along the line.
Step 4. Break the glass along the incision
Grab it on each side of the line with your thumbs on the top of the glass and the other four fingers on the bottom. Rotate your wrists outwards and inwards while maintaining a firm grip.
Method 1 of 1: Cutting Curved Lines
Step 1. Etch the glass
Slide the cutter wheel along the cut line you drew to engrave the glass. Grab the largest part of the glass with one hand and the one that needs to be removed with pliers. Rotate the pliers up and down to break the glass cleanly
Step 2. Engrave lines with a very small radius of curvature by drawing several short straight lines
Remove any small excess glass to get a smooth edge with breakout pliers. With this tool, grab the pieces of glass you want to remove and break them following the incision
Step 3. Smooth or round the edges with a glass router
Turn on the tool and hold the glass gently but firmly against the rapidly rotating grinder; the latter is coated with diamond powder to file any excess glass
Advice
- Do not try to cut out fragments of colored glass for a mosaic starting from large slabs. Using smaller pieces is not only easier, but also minimizes the risk of accidental breakage or damage to the entire sheet. Large pieces of glass can be reduced in size by placing the incision along the edge of a table and pressing the side that protrudes from it.
- During the engraving of each line, keep constant pressure on the cutter and perform a continuous movement. Uneven pressure and constant interruptions and resumes can cause the glass to break.
- You can use any type of oil to lubricate the cutter, even cooking oil.
- Always use a broom and a dust-catching cloth to clean the work area after cutting the colored glass, in this way you will remove all the fragments.
- When using the router, wear protective goggles and add water to the machine following the manufacturer's instructions.
- When you follow templates to cut out the colored glass, trace the contours of the shape with the marker and then cut out inside the line.
- Do not engrave the same spot more than once. Not only will you ruin the cutter, but you could break the glass. If you make a mistake during the incision, continue in the movement and then cut out the excess part of the glass by tracing another incision or using the breakout pliers.
- You should cut the glass while standing.
Warnings
- Wear safety glasses.
- Be careful when working in areas where glass has been cut. There will be fine fragments everywhere that can cut your fingers or get into your eyes.
