How to cut a mirror neatly and easily at home
Well, let’s start another lesson on the blog Best houses with a little common truth – “work can only be done efficiently when a good tool is used.” Of course, this truth also applies to cutting mirrors, which we will talk about today. There are two types of glass cutters: diamond and roller, and a mirror at home can be cut by both. For diamond, the cutting part is a piece of technical diamond, and for the roller – a wheel made of a special alloy of increased strength.
Mirror surface preparation
First, the entire surface of the mirror must be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed with a soda solution. If there are traces of stains, then it is a good idea to clean such areas with alcohol, otherwise the cut line may “go” sideways and the glass will be damaged. The place where the cutting will take place must be flat so that the mirror fits snugly over the entire surface. In addition, it should not be hard – it is better to spread a soft cloth. After that, the mowing line of the cut is marked..
Then you need to attach a ruler to the mowing line, preferably a metal one. For greater accuracy, you need to prepare a ruler. Two erasers (school eraser) are attached to its ends (for example, with adhesive tape). This will raise the ruler slightly above the surface of the mirror. This technique allows you to control the correct position of the cutting edge of the glass cutter and ensures that the glass cutter does not jump off this mowing line onto the line..
Glass cutting
It is understood that the cutting element must be positioned strictly on the marked mowing line and perpendicular to the surface of the mirror. With a slight pressure to the glass, they lead it towards you. There is no need to rush. The pressure and movement of the glass cutter must be smooth and progressive. If everything is done correctly, then the sound of glass being cut is heard, it is impossible to confuse it. A squeak indicates either the unsuitability of the instrument, or its incorrect position, too strong pressure. When properly cut, a thin white line will remain on the surface of the mirror..
When the cutting line is ready, the mirror lies on the edge of the surface (table, workbench, stool). You need to put it so that the line protrudes slightly over the edge. After that, holding the mirror with one hand, the other should be slightly pressed down – the cut off part should fall off. If this does not work, then with a small hammer you need to knock on the bottom of the entire mowing line, moving the hammer from its far end towards you. After that, if the piece does not separate, the cutting process should be repeated..
If possible, it is better to purchase a diamond glass cutter – it cuts better and has a longer service life. When using it, you need to focus on the marks, since it has two angles: sharp and obtuse.
It is best to use protective goggles when cutting glass. If they are not there, then you should not tilt your head too low in order to avoid damage to the eyes by fragments of glass..
See the details of the mirror cutting process on
Soldering iron
Having marked the line of the future cut on the glass, we take a file and make a small groove with it from the very edge. Having stepped back from it 1-2 mm, we heat the place with a soldering iron until a microcrack forms between it and the risk. Next, we retreat already from the crack itself at the same distance and gradually move towards the finish point. Thus, glass is cut for a long time, but any shape can be obtained. To slightly speed up the process, the glass can be periodically cooled by applying a damp cloth to it..
How to cut a mirror angle grinder
A special cutting tool is required to cut a fragile material such as glass. Of course, glass cutters greatly simplify the cutting process, but you can cope with their work with the help of other improvised items. If you are faced with the need to cut glass, and there is no glass cutter at hand, we will show you how you can replace it..
Scissors in the water
A simple method for directional splitting of glass. Allows you to easily cut round shapes, but will not work for straight lines. For such cutting, you will need ordinary scissors and a container of water, which will serve as a kind of lubricant. The maximum glass thickness should not exceed 4 mm.
The cutting process with this technique is extremely simple. We take a piece of processed glass, immerse it in water and cut off small pieces from the edges with scissors. Water will prevent the glass from cracking, allowing you to make a controlled chipping. In this way, you can get oval and round shapes..
How to cut glass without a glass cutter
Before proceeding with a detailed description of glass cutting techniques, we want to remind you of safety. Always wear work gloves and safety goggles when working to avoid cuts and small debris getting into your eyes. Be careful not to apply excessive pressure to the glass.
How to cut glass without a glass cutter
Glass cutting tools were not always as widespread as they are today. In the second half of the last century, people came up with their own ways to conquer this capricious material, without using a glass cutter. In fact, for cutting untempered glass with a thickness of up to 8 mm, you can use a lot of improvised objects, you just need to have a little dexterity..
It is better to start listing items suitable for working with glass by identifying the types of exposure to this material. The main methods are thermal, when glass is heated in a certain place, and physical, when it is cut by brute force. The industry uses a water-jet cutting method, when glass is processed on expensive equipment under strong water pressure..
To cut glass by the thermal method, a small piece of twine and a flammable liquid such as alcohol or acetone are enough, a soldering iron and a burning apparatus can also be used as a cutter. For cutting glass by physical impact, you can use a file, a winder drill, a nail, a thin diamond disc, and even ordinary tailor’s scissors. Of course, it is difficult for some of the listed items to get a good chip, but with the proper skill, quite a good result can come out. Now, knowing how you can cut glass without a glass cutter, you can proceed to the process itself.
Pobeditovy drill
If you know firsthand what glass cutting is, then we suggest considering another way of cutting glass without a glass cutter. With some experience, one drill with a victorious tip may be sufficient for this operation. The main thing is that the drill is more or less new, with sharp corners on the head..
The process of cutting glass with a drill itself is in many ways similar to a conventional roller glass cutter. Of the differences, a higher pressure force can be distinguished, but otherwise all actions are standard. We lay the glass on a flat surface, mark the cutting line, apply a bar, and lead the line from top to bottom along it. Before cutting, turn the tip so that the sharpest corner touches the glass. Having received a clear line, we break the glass along the mowing line of the cut.
The method of cutting glass with a victorious drill requires skill and practical experience in handling this material. Novice craftsmen have very little chance of making an accurate cut in this way, but with patience and straight hands, you can get the desired result.
File
Another way to cut glass at home without a glass cutter and expensive power tools. To work, you need a file and a little experience in handling glass. Please note that the file must have corners, so a round file will not work.
To cut the glass, it is enough to make several cuts on its surface with the corner of the file. You need to press on the file slightly more than average so that there is enough force to form a clear groove, similar to a glass cutter cut. When the place of the chip is planned, we simply break the glass on the edge of the table or put a match under the place of the cut.
This method requires a certain skill, and if you are dealing with glass cutting for the first time, we strongly recommend that you practice on small, unnecessary fragments before moving on to the main material..
Charcoal pencil cutting
Below we will talk about how to properly cut glass with a charcoal pencil (you can do it yourself). It allows you to cut various shapes from the material. To make the tool you will need: charcoal (lime, birch) and gum arabic. The coal is ground into powder, gum arabic is added to it and a kind of dough is kneaded. Round sticks are made from the mass, after which they are thoroughly dried.
Before cutting, markings are made on the glass and the edges are filed with a file. The pencil is set on fire from one side and led along the mowing line. The result is cracks along which the product breaks easily..
We work with a soldering iron
How to cut glass if you have a soldering iron at hand? The material is placed on a flat surface and with the help of a file, risks are made along the edges. A ruler is applied to it and touched with a soldering iron with an indent from it by 2-3 mm. It is necessary to warm up each place so that the glass cracks. With a soldering iron, they pass along the entire cut – so it will turn out to be quite even.
Break the glass with special tongs or put it on the edge of the table. The rift will run exactly along the furrow when applied along the cut of duct tape or wet newspaper. If the product needs to be inserted into the frame, then you will have to cover the installation site with putty or rubber strips. It is applied to the frame and covered with glazing beads, under which a rubber seal is placed.
Using scissors
Material that is not very thick can be cut with ordinary scissors. First you have to make the markup. How to cut glass using this method? You need to immerse it in warm water and cut it into pieces of the required size. If nothing happened or the material began to crumble, then tempered glass has come across (the cutting features are listed below). To cut a large piece, you will need a bath or a large bowl of water..
The procedure is carried out as follows: the marking is carried out with the tip of scissors, after which the unnecessary element is broken off. This method is suitable for sheets up to 3 mm thick and allows you to cut shapes with straight contours. To facilitate the work, a template is made of cardboard, which is glued to the workpiece with glue. You should be aware that the material will be more pliable under a large layer of water..
Glass cutting
Before using the tools at hand, you need to understand how to cut glass with a glass cutter. The cutting element is positioned perpendicular to the surface and strictly along the intended mowing line. They lightly press on the tool and gently begin to “pull on themselves”. If everything is done according to the rules, then the sound of glass being cut will be heard and a thin white line will appear on the sheet. A squeak during cutting indicates an incorrect tilt of the tool, its breakage or excessive pressure..
After cutting with a glass cutter, the glass is placed on the edge of the table (or stool) so that the resulting line goes slightly beyond its edge. You need to hold the sheet with one hand, and press on the hanging part with the other (it should fall off). If your hands do not work, you can gently tap with a hammer along the cut line. If necessary, the process is repeated from the very beginning..
Preparation for work
Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare the glass itself: rinse it with water, degrease it with gasoline. If it will be mounted in a frame, then you will have to adjust the product to the desired size. In this case, an additional 2 mm of material must be cut off on each side. This only applies to wooden frames, since under atmospheric influences they are able to contract and expand.
Before cutting off the glass, you need to prepare the space. To work with it you will need a table or some kind of support. This will make it easier to cut and help break the piece more evenly. If the master is to cut the material for the first time, then he should practice on small pieces in order to understand the basic principles. Only then can you proceed to cutting large sheets..
Twine, gasoline and a lighter
The method described below will tell you how to cut the glass exactly if you don’t have a glass cutter at hand. Everyone knows that the material is afraid of sudden temperature changes. This property can be used to cut it. For work you will need: a string with a maximum thickness of 2 mm (only made of cotton), a lighter, gasoline (kerosene).
The glass sheet is laid on the table and the line is marked with a marker along which it is necessary to cut it. Measure and cut the string so that it covers the entire length of the cut. After that, it is poured over with gasoline and applied to the mowing line on the glass. The string must be set on fire so that it ignites along its entire length. When the thread goes out, it is poured with cold water. As a result, the glass will crack at the point of temperature drop. If the crack does not cover the entire sheet, then you need to repeat the procedure and lightly tap on the mowing line of the cut.
Cutting different types of glass
When cutting regular glass, there should be no problem. Various tools will help to cope with this task: from scissors to special glass cutters. But how to cut the tempered glass? This is exactly what will be discussed below. At home, you can also cut organic and corrugated glass..
Corrugated products are in great demand as they are inserted into doors and various interior designs. This material is easy to cut (like regular glass), so you can use the tools described above. It should be remembered that the cut must be made from the smooth side..
How to cut tempered glass? In fact, such a product cannot be cut at home. It is best to entrust the work to professionals who have a machine with a diamond wheel. A special emulsion must be supplied to it, which is responsible for cooling the surface. You can, of course, try to cut the glass with a glass cutter or an angle grinder, but even with a slight deviation from an even mowing line, it will begin to crumble.
Plexiglass is made from synthetic resins and is very similar to plastic. The simplest tools are suitable for cutting it: a cutter, a metal saw, a stationery knife, etc..
How to cut glass without a glass cutter: step by step instructions, methods and recommendations
You can get structures of different shapes from a glass sheet, but for this you need to learn how to cut it. If you have a glass cutter, then this task can be easily dealt with. And if it is not? How to cut glass without glass cutter? In fact, there are several ways to cut material using various devices, which will be discussed below..
How to cut glass without a glass cutter
Glass cutting tools were not always as widespread as they are today. In the second half of the last century, people came up with their own ways to conquer this capricious material, without using a glass cutter. In fact, for cutting untempered glass with a thickness of up to 8 mm, you can use a lot of improvised objects, you just need to have a little dexterity..
It is better to start listing items suitable for working with glass by identifying the types of exposure to this material. The main methods are thermal, when glass is heated in a certain place, and physical, when it is cut by brute force. The industry uses a water-jet cutting method, when glass is processed on expensive equipment under strong water pressure..
How to Cut Mirror Glass – QUICK
To cut glass by the thermal method, a small piece of twine and a flammable liquid such as alcohol or acetone are enough, a soldering iron and a burning apparatus can also be used as a cutter. For cutting glass by physical impact, you can use a file, a winder drill, a nail, a thin diamond disc, and even ordinary tailor’s scissors. Of course, it is difficult for some of the listed items to get a good chip, but with the proper skill, quite a good result can come out. Now, knowing how you can cut glass without a glass cutter, you can proceed to the process itself.
Soldering iron
Having marked the line of the future cut on the glass, we take a file and make a small groove with it from the very edge. Having stepped back from it 1-2 mm, we heat the place with a soldering iron until a microcrack forms between it and the risk. Next, we retreat already from the crack itself at the same distance and gradually move towards the finish point. Thus, glass is cut for a long time, but any shape can be obtained. To slightly speed up the process, the glass can be periodically cooled by applying a damp cloth to it..
File
Another way to cut glass at home without a glass cutter and expensive power tools. To work, you need a file and a little experience in handling glass. Please note that the file must have corners, so a round file will not work.
To cut the glass, it is enough to make several cuts on its surface with the corner of the file. You need to press on the file slightly more than average so that there is enough force to form a clear groove, similar to a glass cutter cut. When the place of the chip is planned, we simply break the glass on the edge of the table or put a match under the place of the cut.
This method requires a certain skill, and if you are dealing with glass cutting for the first time, we strongly recommend that you practice on small, unnecessary fragments before moving on to the main material..
Pobeditovy drill
If you know firsthand what glass cutting is, then we suggest considering another way of cutting glass without a glass cutter. With some experience, one drill with a victorious tip may be sufficient for this operation. The main thing is that the drill is more or less new, with sharp corners on the head..
The process of cutting glass with a drill itself is in many ways similar to a conventional roller glass cutter. Of the differences, a higher pressure force can be distinguished, but otherwise all actions are standard. We lay the glass on a flat surface, mark the cutting line, apply a bar, and lead the line from top to bottom along it. Before cutting, turn the tip so that the sharpest corner touches the glass. Having received a clear line, we break the glass along the mowing line of the cut.
The method of cutting glass with a victorious drill requires skill and practical experience in handling this material. Novice craftsmen have very little chance of making an accurate cut in this way, but with patience and straight hands, you can get the desired result.
How to cut a large mirror without breaking it
Burning thread
We soak the thread in a flammable liquid and fix it on the glass along the cutting line of the cut. We set it on fire, wait for it to completely burn out and immediately place it in cold water or pour it into the place of heating. The main thing is for the glass to cool down as quickly as possible and burst from the temperature drop. A characteristic click will signal the success of the work done. If the glass is not cracked, you can try to repeat the operation..
This method cleaves bottles fairly evenly, but does not always work with large glass sizes. It is also very fire hazardous and requires a fire extinguisher or a container of water at hand, which is already mandatory..
Scissors in the water
A simple method for directional splitting of glass. Allows you to easily cut round shapes, but will not work for straight lines. For such cutting, you will need ordinary scissors and a container of water, which will serve as a kind of lubricant. The maximum glass thickness should not exceed 4 mm.
The cutting process with this technique is extremely simple. We take a piece of processed glass, immerse it in water and cut off small pieces from the edges with scissors. Water will prevent the glass from cracking, allowing you to make a controlled chipping. In this way, you can get oval and round shapes..
Diamond disc
Not the safest way to cut glass, requiring increased accuracy and mandatory compliance with safety rules. Can easily break glass and launch the shard in any direction. Otherwise, the method is quite effective and can cope with the task at hand. For cutting, you will need a special tool (angle grinder, drill or drill) with a diamond disc 0.1 mm thick.
The cutting process itself is quite simple, but it requires a certain skill and a firm hand to guide the tool clearly along the mowing line. We put the piece of glass to be processed on a flat place, then take the cutter and draw the line on the glass surface with the disk. The main thing is not to dive into the depths, but only to lightly touch, so that a small hollow is formed, similar to a wide fishing line from a glass cutter. Next, just break the glass in the right place..
To reduce the likelihood of glass chipping and reduce the amount of glass dust during operation, you can periodically water the cut with water.
Required materials
Work protection
Safety is considered one of the most important factors in any type of work, and glass cutting is no exception. This material, in its raw form, has sharp edges and its fragile structure can contribute to the formation of small fragments. When working with glass or mirrors, it is strongly recommended to protect your hands and eyes to avoid injury. To do this, you can use the following things:
Construction gloves (preferably rubberized). You can use any others, as long as they do not slide too much on the glass surface. For added safety, fingers can be wrapped with adhesive tape over gloves.
Protective glasses. It is not necessary to use special construction. You can wear regular reading glasses or sunglasses. If only they do not obstruct visibility.
How to properly cut a mirror with a glass cutter
Wonderful mirrored surfaces, in all shapes and sizes, are firmly rooted in the design of modern homes. This stunning material that magically expands the space has become a real source of inspiration for creative people. Unfortunately, due to the fragility and peculiar way of cutting, creative work with mirrors is not available for many. In this article, we will try to help novice designers and show that everyone can cut a mirror with an ordinary glass cutter..
Cutting a mirror with a glass cutter
The fragile structure of glass can become a serious obstacle when working with this material. If you do not know how to cut a mirror with a glass cutter and are faced with such a task for the first time, we strongly recommend that you strictly follow the following instructions. This will increase your success..
The first thing to do is to prepare the base on which the cutting will be done. This can be done on a table, floor, stool and other places that are suitable for the size of the mirror. The working surface must be flat, otherwise the mirror may crack during the cut. In order to avoid small cuts, as well as for a tighter fit of the mirror, it is better to cover the base with a soft cloth..
The next step will be the preparation of the processed material. The mirror must be dry and clean, free from heavy streaks. You can wash the mirror with ordinary soapy water and then degrease it with an alcohol-containing liquid. You can use special solutions for cleaning glasses, which contain alcohol or a similar component. Wipe the washed mirror dry with a rag or paper (newspaper) and leave it for 10 minutes to evaporate the remaining moisture.
When the workplace and the material to be processed are ready, we proceed to the marking. We take a marker, ruler or pattern and draw the line along which it is necessary to cut. If you do not know from which side to cut the mirror with a glass cutter, then this should be done on the front, reflective surface. Next, we take a glass cutter and, with a confident movement, draw the cutter along the markings.
It is best to hold the cutter perpendicular to the glass, but you can also with a slight tilt (like a ballpoint pen). The cutting pressure depends on the type of tool. The diamond one requires minimal pressure, and the roller is slightly above average. If the cutter is sharp and the pressure is optimal, you will hear a slight crunch. A squeaky sound indicates too much pressure or a worn cutter..
The line formed after the glass cutter should be uniform and transparent. If the fishing line is white and periodically disappears, it will not work exactly to break the mirror along it. In this case, it is better to draw a new one, stepping back a couple of millimeters from the original mark. To avoid such incidents, it is recommended to check the sharpness of the glass cutter in advance and practice the force of pressing on unnecessary fragments..
Having received the correct cutting line, you can proceed to the culmination stage of the work – controlled chipping. You can break the mirror on the flat edge of the table by placing a glass cutter under the cutting line and pushing from 2 sides or slightly knock with the head of the same glass cutter from the back side. This does not require much effort. The crack will run from the beginning to the end of the cut, like a path. When the required piece is separated, all that remains is to clean its edges with a fine-grained sanding sheet..
If you want to see the main stages of the process more clearly, we recommend watching the video on how to cut a mirror with a glass cutter. Hopefully the above guide will guide you through this jewelry creative process..
What kind of glass cutter to work?
For a layman, there is no difference what kind of glass cutters are, therefore, most often “one time” those that are cheaper are bought. However, this is not always justified..
There are different types of glass cutters that can be used to cut the mirror. The most popular are roller and diamond. The second is much more expensive, but it is much easier to work with, less effort is needed, the quality of the cuts will be much higher, and the amount of scrap and waste will be less..
It is optimal, of course, to cut the mirror with a diamond glass cutter. Especially if the work is planned to be quite delicate and accurate, or a large volume is to be done. In the frame of such a glass cutter is inserted a nose made of diamond (hence, in fact, the name), which has sharp and obtuse angles. In the process of cutting, it is important to move an acute angle forward, then the tool will move freely along the surface, without “tripping” over the smallest irregularities of the surface. If cut with an obtuse angle, the cutter grain will either jump out of its nest, or “go off course.” In order to maintain the same angle of inclination of the tool during work, it is important to always point the mark that is on the rim of the glass cutter towards the ruler..
The roller glass cutter is more difficult to hold the line, and it takes much more effort to get a quality cut. In order to facilitate the sliding of such a tool over the surface, the line of the future cut can be lubricated with turpentine, using, for example, a student’s brush for drawing.
Before you start cutting critical, “clean” sections of the mirror, practice well to do it on unnecessary pieces of glass. Then the hand will be firmer, and the mowing line will be smoother..
How to cut a mirror yourself if you’re not a glazier?
Mirrors in the interior are needed not only to look in them. To create various optical illusions, reflective surfaces can be placed in blocks on walls, under the ceiling, near wall lamps, and even play the role of kitchen aprons. But here’s the bad luck: not everyone can afford to hire a team of professionals for design renovation these days. Therefore, a logical question arises for home craftsmen: what to do when you need to cut off the mirror yourself? The author of the site “Miss Clean” figured out this issue.
What you need to know before starting cutting?
In order not to spoil the mirror, especially in the absence of experience with a glass cutter, you should study the general rules for such work, and then step by step the process itself.
So, what you need to know before picking up a mirror and glass cutter?
- It is important to keep the tool at a right angle. Only slight deviation allowed.
- The angle of inclination must not be changed! Otherwise, then evenly and accurately separate the cut parts will not work..
- The incision should be made in one precise, continuous, sharp motion..
- The pressing force cannot be changed, with the exception of the edges: about 5 mm before the edge, the pressure is loosened so that the tool does not slip and chip formation.
- They always cut from the far edge towards themselves.
- Always cut on the front side (not where the amalgam is applied).
- A thin whitish mark when working with a glass cutter means that the cut is not deep enough. Correct cut is dark in color.
- A diamond tool always leaves a white mark.
- You need to cut the mirror under a thick ruler. To prevent it from sliding on the surface, pieces of rubber are attached to its base (for example, from a bicycle tire).
Do not try to deepen the resulting cut. It will not work to hit the trail in the trail in the laid line along the entire length, and repeated movements will only damage the mirror, and it will have to be thrown away (or cut off a smaller part). That is why it is important beforehand to practice “on cats” in the form of old glasses..
What to cook for work?
Before you start cutting a mirror for your home decor, it is important to make sure that everything you need is at hand. These are tools, accessories, items for cleaning yourself, as well as for observing safety precautions, because when working with glass, caution should come first..
For work you will need:
- the mirror itself;
- glass cutter;
- flat smooth surface (wide table or large chipboard);
- long thick ruler (about 8 mm thick);
- a sheet of fabric (for example, a sheet or an old tablecloth);
- pliers with rubber gaskets;
- small hammer;
- roulette;
- fine emery;
- a bowl or basin of water;
- rag;
- soda and alcohol;
- pencil, crayon or marker for marking glass.
For the safety of hands and eyes, you need to prepare:
- thick fabric gloves (so as not to cut your fingers);
- plaster for additional protection of the fingers;
- safety glasses (construction, cycling or any other).
Work technology
At first glance, the job seems daunting. But if you perform it in the established sequence, observing accuracy and precautions, the result will please.
The mirror is cut as follows.
- You need to lay a cloth on the work surface to protect the mirror when pressed.
- Clean the surface of the mirror first with a soda solution, then with alcohol. Failure to do so will cause grease (e.g. fingerprints) or dust particles to dislodge the cutter, especially if it is a roller cutter..
- Apply line marking. It should correspond to the mowing line of the glass cutter movement (that is, in fact, it should be at a distance of about 2 mm from the true position of the future notch).
- An inexperienced carver must make sure that his tool is perfectly sharp, otherwise there is a high probability of failure..
- Next, you need to make the cut itself – according to the rules set out above.
- Now you need to put the mirror so that the incision protrudes slightly beyond the edges of the table, press it with one hand, and with the other one sharp downward movement break off the cut part (you need to break it in the opposite direction from the notch).
- If the “trick” is not successful, a hammer will help, with which you need to carefully tap the line of the cut from below, starting from the far edge, and then repeat breaking.
- If the width of the cut area is small and not enough to fully grab the piece with your hand and break off, you can use the grooves of the glass cutter itself and grab the desired area with it. Or pick up the pliers with rubber pads. If there are none on the farm, you can put rubber tubes on the lips of ordinary pliers, or wrap several layers of electrical tape or plaster.
- The resulting sections must be carefully sanded with sandpaper..
Following the above tips, even an inexperienced beginner can cut off a mirror with a glass cutter. The main thing is to show accuracy and patience..
Rules for using a glass cutter
So, how to cut a mirror at home is not so easy, especially without skills, you need to know exactly how to use a glass cutter correctly.
- First you need to check the tool – it should not be loose and the wheel should rotate smoothly. This is a prerequisite for round glass cutters..
- If you need to cut a mirror with a diamond glass cutter, then you need to make sure that the stone is fixed securely enough and at the correct angle.
- The pressure should be even and smooth. Even slight deviation from constant pressure force and the mirror surface will crack.
- When carrying out manipulations, it is necessary to listen to the sounds that the instrument makes. There should be no squeaks. If, nevertheless, sounds appeared, this means that the glass cutter has already become dull.
Additional Information! If the cut is made with a deviation from the installed mowing line, do not try to fix the defect. You just need to step back a few millimeters in the desired direction and re-cut the line. This is a prerequisite for both rectilinear and curly ways of cutting out mirrors and glass..
Mirror surface preparation
It is important to understand that before you start manipulating a mirror or glass, it must be wiped in order to remove all dirt and dust from the surface. But, it is better to do this with baking soda, as it helps better cleanse. If the soda turned out to be powerless in front of any stains, then you can apply alcohol.
Use modern mirror cutting techniques.
It is also allowed to use a special liquid for glass. It does not matter which cleaning liquid was used, after that, wipe the surface dry on both sides with a cloth that has a good level of hygroscopicity. Only she will allow you to collect all the remaining moisture..
Carefully start cutting the mirror.
How and how to cut a mirror at home
Reading time:
Sometimes, when it is not possible to take the mirror to the workshop in order to cut the desired size and shape, such a manipulation can be carried out at home..
Mirror is an integral part of any interior.
But, for its successful completion, it is necessary to know the basic technological steps of glass cutting, with what tools it can be done, and also not to forget about the precautions.
- Precautions and safety precautions
- Necessary tools and materials for cutting glass at home
- Rules for using a glass cutter
- Mirror surface preparation
- Glass cutting technology principle
- Is it possible to cut glass without a glass cutter at home
- cutting mirrors with glass cutter
Precautions and safety precautions
Before cutting off the mirror, you need to understand that this type of activity carries a potential threat to the performer..
Many design projects require custom mirrors in the interior..
Therefore, in order to protect yourself from unexpected work injuries, it is important to adhere to the following safety measures:
- Always wear protective goggles and gloves. Eye protection is required, since small fragments that can accidentally fall on the mucous membrane will subsequently cause irreparable damage to the organ of vision.
- Prepare a special box in which the production scraps will be stored. It is imperative to do this to prevent small pieces of glass from getting on or cutting your clothes..
- The surface on which all manipulations will be carried out must be extremely flat and large in area. All the tools and materials at hand should also be nearby..
- After you cut glass or a mirror at home, you need to wipe the work surface and the floor around it with a damp cloth. This manipulation must also be performed with all precautions. Otherwise, you can drive small fragments under the skin, which will be quite problematic to get rid of later..
Before cutting a mirror with a glass cutter, read the safety requirements.
Glass cutting technology principle
Here’s how to properly cut a mirror with a glass cutter at home:
- First you need to prepare the mirror surface and tools.
- After that, mark up with a ruler and marker. For the curly version – use special patterns.
- Then carefully draw the line with a glass cutter, observing the constancy of pressing.
- Then very gently tap with a hammer, through several layers of fabric, the edge of the mirror, which will need to be removed. Before this, it is previously slightly suspended from the edge of the table, without fail supporting it in such a way that the mirror or glass does not fall to the floor.
- After that, the work is carried out on the break That is, they are trying, by applying minor efforts, to break off an unnecessary piece from the base. Then wipe the cut edge with a damp cloth, which was previously folded in several layers. This is done in order to remove small glass particles..
Get professional advice when cutting mirrors.
Necessary tools and materials for cutting glass at home
To know how to cut a mirror correctly, you need to understand not only technological actions, but also what tools it will be carried out.
There are special tools for cutting mirrors.
Here is a list of everything you need:
- High quality diamond glass cutter. It is he who will allow not only to quickly and accurately cut ordinary glass, but also to cope with tempered.
- If it is decided to use an angle grinder for manipulation, then it must be equipped with a diamond-coated disc. But, it is worth remembering that in this case there is a high probability of crumbling the material..
- You also need a large and always flat surface. The main condition is full adherence of the glass over the entire area to the table. At the same time, cracking is easily avoided..
- You will also need a hammer and pliers..
- For marking, you need to take a long ruler and a square. You will also need a marker for marking..
- If it is necessary to carry out curly cutting of the mirror, then you will also additionally need – already made patterns (they can be made of thick cardboard or plywood), as well as a knife for shoemaking or a jigsaw.
Important! If you need to cut tempered glass at home, then it is best to do the work on a machine that is equipped with a diamond-coated wheel. In this case, the crumbling process of the heavy-duty mirror or glass can be avoided..
Is it possible to cut glass without a glass cutter at home
Not everyone knows that ordinary glass can be cut using the most familiar scissors. The main conditions in this case are sharp – sharpening of the cutting edge. In this case, it is necessary to place all the glass in a sufficiently large container so that it is covered with water..
Sometimes there is a desire to acquire a mirror of some intricate shape..
It is the liquid that prevents the appearance of chips and cracks. Then, carefully with scissors, begin to cut off small pieces, achieving the desired shape and size.
Cut a mirror of any shape.
Note! This type of mirror processing is suitable only if its thickness does not exceed the 4 mm mark and it is necessary to perform curly cutting. Most likely, in this case, you will not be able to cut off the straight line..
You can use another way. For example, take a file with a rectangular or triangular cutting edge..
The cutting element must be positioned strictly on the marked mowing line and perpendicular to the surface of the mirror.
The technology of actions in this case is as follows – cuts are made with the edge of the file on both sides. Then the main line is scratched and breaking off is carried out. But, to implement this option, you need the skill of working with materials such as glass and mirror..
If you have never worked with a mirror, then get help..
You can also try using a winder drill. Here, holes are made in several places. They all lie on the cut mowing line. Then a thin line is scratched between them and tapping, and the unnecessary part is eliminated by breaking off..
If everything is done correctly, then the sound of glass being cut is heard, it is impossible to confuse it.
Important! If the work is carried out with a drill, then it must be turned in such a way that only an acute angle enters the glass. Otherwise the mirror will crack.
Given all these features, at home it is quite easy to trim or curly cut out a mirror..