How to cut glass in the shape of a cross?

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FMP

Grumbler in Training
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Kenner, La
I am currently working on a piece that is cross shaped and I am looking for the best way to cut the glass to prevent breaking? Any advice would be appreciated.
 
I've done this a couple of times and here's what worked for me. Build your frame first and use it to draw the shape on a rectangular piece of glass (using a Sharpy pen or whatever.) At each of the inside coners (you'll have four), you'll need to drill a small hole, maybe 1/8", with a diamond drill bit from a hardware store. A drill press works best (if the glass isn't too big), but a hand drill will work if you have a steady hand. Don't use too much pressure or you'll crack the glass. After you have your four holes, you can score the glass with a hand-cutter along the straight lines without the glass breaking where it shouldn't. If this doesn't make sense, I'll send a picture. And if anyone knows an easier way, I'd love to hear it. Good luck.

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Ron Eggers, CPF
The Total Picture
Appleton, WI
http://www.total-picture.com
roneggers@hotmail.com
 
Exactamundo. If you are using glass.

The only thing better is going acrylic (plexi)? Less worry abour breaking when drilling. Less worry about breaking if you press any of the "legs" of the cross harder that another while fitting (bummer to finally cut it, and then have a stress fracture while fitting. Dried glue on any of the inner corners will make this happen even easier). Less worry about a stress fracture at the crux while transporting it. And lastly, less worry about a stress fracture, at the crux from the wire pulling in on the sides as it hangs on the wall.

How much more does acrylic cost you than glass? For me .385 sqf for glass vs. .845 for acrylic makes it a no brainer. If it takes you three broken pieces of glass vs one try in plex it will cost the same (or less) to use the plastic. But charge more for plex anyways, because it may take two pieces of acylic.

P.S. The plastic drill bit will cost less to.
 
Marc, this method isn't going to get me any points on a CPF exam but whenever I need an odd-shaped piece of glass I take the frame to my glass supplier. A friendly smile, a box of donuts, and "Would you cut a piece of glass to fit this, please?" I buy all my boxed glass, oversized pieces, mirrors and plexi from these folks; occasionally I do some framing for them. We have a good working relationship and I think they secretly enjoy the challenge of cutting a piece of glass to fit in a horse collar. Usually they only charge me the cost of the glass. Considering that I don't spend any time breaking glass myself, this definately works for me. Kit

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Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
 
I cut a six sided star in glass once. (well, actually 3 times but the third time worked!) When you get to the inner corner, the glass cutter must make a continuous cut to the next leg. So you have to turn a small radius (without stopping!!) at the inner corner of the glass and then continue on to the next leg. That way, the glass cut will run around the radius and down the other leg. Try it on scrap a few times and you will figure out how much of a radius to swing with the cutter. Even if you use the drill method, try this and if you get it to work, you have one more technique in your arsenal. Good luck.

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If you're going with acrylic you can also use a jigsaw to cut out your shapes, if you prefer drilling and scoring there is no need for a proper bit for your drill, simply use a very dulled one and there'll be no cracking.
Recently I managed to get a 5x7 cut out from the center of 16x20 2mm clear float glass a small turn with the cutter left the glass held in place by the edges, when I drilled out the corners it basically fell out. (I won't say how many turns that took)
 
I don't understand why everybody is working so hard to cut glass to odd shapes when plexi is so easy to cut with a jig saw to any shape you want, is less likely to break on the way home and is clearer to boot. I just don't get it. Can you clue me in?
 
Ok, framah, I've got to admit that when I read your message about cutting inside corners on glass with a continuous radius I said,"You've got to be kidding!" So I tried it, and it works! Kind of like cutting an oval glass by hand - score it, flip it over (maybe on some bubble wrap or something else with some give) and press all along the score with your thumb. It's actually easier than an oval. At least if you mess up, you've wasted a piece of glass, but not much time, and no diamond drill bit.

Frank, nobody wants to do anything the easy way. If we did, would we be in this line of work? Seriously, I've always had a bias against Acrylics for glazing, except in industrial settings where breakage could be a serious problem. It seems like it's impossible to clean (I probably just don't know how), it scratches too easily and it develops a static charge at low humidity that atracts dust like crazy. How do others feel about this?
 
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