Cutting Picture Framing Glass by Hand
Cutting picture framing glass by hand is a very simple process. Set the lite (piece of glass) on a clean work surface. If the glass is powdered or has a resin coating on it, it is advisable to clean the glass before cutting to get rid of the resin or powder. It is especially important to clean where you intend to score the glass. We don’t want the powder of resin to interfere with the cutting action of the glass wheel. This will help the cutter wheel last longer. Carbide wheel glass cutters will last longer than steel wheel cutters.
Position the head of your glass cutter vertically (not on an angle) using a cork backed T-Square, or aluminum safety ruler as a guide. Begin at the far edge of the glass. Draw the cutter towards you, while applying enough downward pressure to score the glass. Pushing too hard will create glass chips and result in a poor cut. Do not retrace a cut or attempt to connect any skips.
Keep the pressure as even as possible and run the cut slowly across the surface, coming close to, but not over, the near edge.
Once the score is complete, you next need to break the glass. Hold the glass in your finger tips, palms up on either side of the score, letting the main weight of the glass remain on the table. Grasp between the thumb and the forefinger and snap upward and outward at the same time. This will run the score and the piece will break.
M&M; Distributors recommends having a pair of cut running pliers from Fletcher Terry, as an easy alternative to snapping the glass by hand. For more information on cutting picture framing glass contact M&M; Distributors.
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