Lumia Glass

[Galvonaut]

I thought I would start a thread on lumia glass as it's something I've been considering and I've been told it can be tricky.

I have been offered some cheap off-cuts of textured glass by a local firm and thought that I could make about 6 or 8 lumia wheels from a £2 piece of glass.

I've not cut much glass in my lifetime, so have been doing a little research.

So far I have found this video which actually looks like someone creating lumia wheels.



This page from Down Under has some really handy general tips from a professional glazier with 30 years under his belt.

Does anyone have any other tips or tricks?

[absolom7691]

Be sure to ask them if it is tempered. If is, it will shatter if you cut with a glass cutter. Also be sure to use a good glass cutter and make sure to use lube. We used to use ATF in ours. It works great.

[Bradfo69]

Make sure you get up with displaser (Greg) on here. I know he can add some valuable insight into this for you.

[Galvonaut]

Thanks Abs. Glass splinters AND chemical burns......I'll have to consider that one

Cheers Brad. I could do with some of that.

[sugeek]

You don't always need to cut it... but get a circle cutter if you want to make a bunch then you need to grind the outside of the wheels. As the price is right give it a try put rubber on the tips of pliers don't hold it with your hand.

Adam

[Displaser]

You should use cutting oil frequently (like every cut). Even though I use a cutter with an oil reservoir, I still dip it into an oily rag before each cut (put a snip of an old t-shirt into an old plastic 35mm canister and wet it with cutting oil or kerosene). A good cutter is likely $35-50 now and you can damage the cutting wheel. Don't go back over a previous score, don't run your cutter off the edge of the glass. If you are planning to use a "hardware store" glass cutter, you're going to be disappointed. Look for Toyo cutters - good stuff.

Oh, and the video with the guy really jamming down on the cutter to make circles - you will destroy the life of your cutting wheel doing that. Glass doesn't need anywhere near that much effort to score and cut.

Greg

[Galvonaut]

That sounds like a sensible way to avoid cuts Adam. I am a little prone to injuring myself!

Thanks Greg. Good to know how to look after your tools. I watched a video where someone pre-lubricated the glass. Would you recommend this?

[Galvonaut]

Just found this on the interweb. Do you think it would be worth experimenting with for lumia or scan-through effects?

[Displaser]

That sounds like a sensible way to avoid cuts Adam. I am a little prone to injuring myself!

Thanks Greg. Good to know how to look after your tools. I watched a video where someone pre-lubricated the glass. Would you recommend this?

This actually is a good question - if you use anything other than an oil cutter, like a circle cutter as Len mentioned (I have one of these too), it's a good idea to place oil on the glass, then make your cut. It doesn't have to be much - just a few drops at the start of the cut. Never cut glass with a dry cut, at least don't do it if you expect your cutter to last.

Greg

[Galvonaut]

Thank you Greg. Noted.