Crafting Glass » glass cutting

Using Some Basic Glass Tools

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 02:06:59 +0000

In the two videos just below this post a glass crafter and a glass artist demonstrate the use of some simple glass tools. The tools in the first video are some that most any person working in glass would have. Cutting thicker glass, like the plate glass in the video, requires a somewhat different technique than cutting the glass normally used in stained glass work and in fusing. The second video shows the use of a basic power tool (the glass grinder) that is so helpful in smoothing the edges of glass before handling it in stained glass or other work. Enjoy!

Jerry, webmaster CraftingGlass.com

Technorati Tags: cutting glass, glass artist, glass grinder, glass tools, stained glass

Collecting American Brilliant Cut Glass (Leaded Crystal Cut Glass), Brilliant

admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:56:59 +0000

Leaded crystal glass, sometimes called “Flint Glass” is being cut today in Belgium, Ireland, West Germany, and in many other countries of the world. However I feel that with careful observation and comparison you will come to the conclusion that old American cut glass pieces (called American Brilliant Cut Glass) more often than not beat all the rest! In craftsmanship, quality, and intrinsic beauty the American glass often excels even the best of the modern cut glass. American Brilliant glass (a collectible glass, by the way) was made by many glass houses (companies) from about 1876 to 1917. The glass used in the “Brilliant Period” to make the cut glass objects was made with up to 40% lead oxide. This ingredient gives the glass a shine and reflection like the fine leaded crystal glass that it is. The art glass designs on the object were also “cut” by hand using carborundum or stone wheels. Many of the patterns were very intricate. The hand work was very labor intensive so the cut glass pieces were expensive (even way back then). Today the American Brilliant cut glass (ABCG) is generally quite affordable, except for the most exquisite items.

There have been some scoundrels who have faked the more expensive American Brilliant Cut Glass items. To tell the real item from the fake is sometimes difficult but if you follow the following guidelines you can generally avoid getting scammed.

1. The weight of the true cut glass is generally quite heavy compared to a similar size “fake”.

2. The old, authentic, glass should have some obvious wear marks on the bottom. Generally the item was used many times over the last 100 or so years so wear (on the bottom only) is expected. The wear marks should be random, as would naturally occur.

3. In bright light the genuine piece should sparkle and put on quite a show as it is turned in the light. Cheap fakes are often not as reflective.

4. A genuine ABCG glass will ring clear, like a bell, when flicked with your fingernail. Inexpensive reproductions will not usually sound so nice.

5. The incised “cut” lines in the designs are clear and clean with sharp edges, an indication of having been cut with a tool, not molded into the glass with heat.

6. The glass in the ABCG piece should have a water-white clarity with virtually no bubbles or defects like “seeds” (unfused sand particles).

A very important additional tip: Buy only from a dealer you know to have a good reputation. Perhaps you may also wish to ask where he or she obtained the ABCG piece and its history, if known.

Please look at the very short video below to see an example of an ABCG pitcher.

I have this lovely pitcher for sale at :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110497221588&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Technorati Tags: American brilliant cut glass, cut glass, decorative glass, glass cutting artist, leaded crystal

Home Page

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:56:59 +0000

Welcome to CraftingGlass.com! Crafting Glass features videos, articles, pictures, and blogs on making and caring for beautiful glass objects. Whether it is information on stained glass, etched glass, or glass beads you will find it here. The sources for the tools and supplies you will need for crafting and maintaining decorative glass likely will be found here as well. Tips on buying, installing, and repairing window glass are provided on this web site also. For a list of categories please look in the column on the left side of this page. Please feel free to comment (blog) on any article or video. I also welcome suggestions for new articles, pictures, or videos in the broad catagory of “glass” (use the “contact us/me” page), How awesome can glass be? Well, just look at the beautiful images below for some idea of the beauty and versatility of glass.

Central Train Station R10/O5, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Architectural glass by Derix Glass Studios (derix.com). Pictured is the Glass art ceiling and glass art pillars.

Narcissus Quagliata, artist

A small stained glass window in an near 100 year old home.

A hand blown and hand cut small glass vase.

Agate glass pitcher

Technorati Tags: art glass, blown glass, decorative glass, glass art, glass supplies, stained glass, window glass

Learn How to Cut Glass

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:31:29 +0000

Learn how to cut glass with The Corning Museum of Glass staff. Cut glass is often used to make beautiful stained glass windows.

Duration : 0:1:11

Technorati Tags: corning, corningmuseumofglass, Glass, glassmaking, makeglass, museum, newyork, ny

Glass cutting in a Venetian workshop on Murano island

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:31:28 +0000

For further context and film, please see www.alanmacfarlane.com

Duration : 0:3:41

Technorati Tags: cutting, Glass, Murano, Venetian, Venice

Glass Cutting and Breaking Table

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:31:28 +0000

Glass Cutting and Breaking Table

Duration : 0:0:30

Technorati Tags: and, Breaking, cutting, Glass, Table

crystal glass cutting

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:31:27 +0000

Hand Cut Crystal

Duration : 0:5:18

Technorati Tags: canal, Crystal, cut, dawn, english, engraving, Glass, hand, stourbridge, wordslay

Is there any way I could straighten a warped glass cutting board?

admin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:33:46 +0000

I bought it online and when i got it it didnt sit flat on the counter so rocks when i am cutting.

you might your local ceramic shop to heat it in their kiln for a small fee. or fold a towel and put underneath

Why can't a hardware store sell glass for a door window by law?

admin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:33:46 +0000

I called to get a piece of glass cut for a friend's window for his door that was cracked. The hardware company told me by law they are not allowed to sell glass for a door. Can someone tell me the reason behind this? Thanks for the replies.
wizjp….If it is by law, why would a glass supply house be able to sell it for a door? I was kind of thinking it might be because glass is easier to break. We decides to use plexiglass, but just wondering the legal aspect of it.

Chris H is dead on.

Unless the door is an interior fire rated door that requires wire glass, the glass must be either tempered safety glass or laminated glass or some other material like plexiglass or lexan.

Tempered glass cannot be cut after it is tempered. It must be ordered from a glass supplier to the exact size. Laminated glass can be cut down to fit if you are in the ballpark but it is not as strong as tempered glass.

BESIDES – ITS THE LAW.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the glass and plastics industries, drafted a standard for safety glazing materials used in door and other applications. This was adopted in 1977 as a federal law and superseded existing codes or ordinances. Fully tempered glass and laminated glass comply with the provisions of the federal safety glazing law.

The federal law, combined with mandates in building codes, requires that each pane of safety glass be permanently marked. The monogram or logo includes the manufacturer, type of glass and the standard to which it complies. Other information may be included. The federal law is designated by its identifying number "16 CFR 120l-II." Look for this designation. If it is not included, the glass may not be safety glass.

Plexiglass and Lexan will 'haze up' over time due to fine scratches that occur when you wash it. It's legal to use, but not the prettiest solution and will decrease the value of your home.

- – No, you can't cut tempered glass after it has been tempered – -

How do you flatten glass bottles to make cutting boards, serving trays, etc.?

admin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:33:46 +0000

yes, the bottles are "melted" but it is done in a glass kiln, at a temp of 1200 to 1400 degrees and kept at that temp for anywhere from 1 to 3 hours and then "cooled" from 3-6 hours.
Kiln work can be tricky at first, it would be best to first know how to operate a kiln and know what type of glass to be using. A great website to check out on fused glass(melted glass) is warmglass.com. Good luck.