Borosilicate glass (Pyrex)

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KaraK

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
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Jul 24, 2006
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I received an inquiry about cutting 12X12 inch sheets of borosilicate glass into 3X3 inch pieces. The glass is 1.1mm thick.

I have a Fletcher wall cutter and my first instinct is to say "no way". Am I being overly cautious? Can it be done by hand? I have never cut this type of glass before, so I wanted to get some opinions. I am not sure what the glass will be used for...

Thanks, Kara
 
Just found this on Youtube, and his is 3 mm, so maybe it'll be fine.
lol...not that I'm recommending his method, but at least it might
help you to feel braver. How about asking if they have a scrap to
send along that you could practice with?

P.S. Are you able to cut glass that small usually?
 
I would do the same as with any glass folks brought in to be cut - if it cracks, tough. :icon9:

The only way to find out if it can be cut is to try it and see. :shrug:
 
Me???? Not touching it. Sounds like nothing but problems. Why not refer them to a glass and mirror shop? It doesn't sound like there is enough money to made off something like that.
 
Thanks everyone! Sorry I didn't reply sooner - furnace troubles at the shop. Ugh.

I'll give this a little more attention today when the furnace issue is sorted out. Appreciate your feedback!
 
I'm a little late here, but I have had a fair amount of experience working with borosilicate glass in the past (only in tube/rod form though).

I would just cut it like you would any type of glass using your wall cutter. 1.1mm is very thin so you shouldn't have any problems. "Boro" or "hard glass" as it is also called is harder than the normal glass that we are used to working with. Normal glass is also known as soda-lime glass or "soft glass". Boro is cut the same way as normal glass by scratching it with a diamond and then snapping it. You probably won't have to adjust anything in order to cut it, but perhaps if it doesn't score well then you might have to apply a little more pressure than normal for the diamonds to scratch it since it is harder.

I am guessing that your customer is either a scientist or an artist but who knows...

The only type of glass that I would never attempt to cut is tempered glass as that type would just shatter into a million pieces instantly. I believe that tempered glass is always cut BEFORE the tempering process and is impossible to cut afterwards (I could be wrong).

Hope this info helps!
 
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