Frit-Happens !

Technical Forum => Search Tips and Techniques => Topic started by: jackiesimmonds on March 17, 2015, 05:20:06 PM

Title: glass cutting - problem with cutter
Post by: jackiesimmonds on March 17, 2015, 05:20:06 PM
I am curious to know if anyone else has suffered with this...my glass cutter seems to "clog up" and it spits out what could be glass, or could be bits of ground metal, I cannot work it out.  the wheel does seem to turn, the oil does seem to come out, I have "cleaned" it with between-teeth stuff, nothing much came out.  If I use it at an angle, most of the time it seems OK, but if I press too hard, or the angle is wrong, it just seems to dig into the glass and stick.

It is not a cheapo chinese one.  It is a regular one from Warm Glass.  What do you think?  Change the head?
Title: Re: glass cutting - problem with cutter
Post by: Blue Box Studio on March 17, 2015, 06:30:02 PM
I have a couple I've acquired and wondered whether to replace the heads on mine but replacements are almost as much as the tools themselves; both are the Toyo ones. I struggled to get a decent cut with mine, perhaps I had killed them?   I've now moved on to using their basic breakers, and the little wheel on that is brilliant, solved all my cutting problems.  And I found I could get the Plasplugs breaker in my local DIY for half the price so if I kill this one I can get another.
Title: Re: glass cutting - problem with cutter
Post by: jackiesimmonds on March 18, 2015, 08:47:01 AM
well I am glad I am not the only one! I didn't want to buy anther....but I do have two cutters which are being difficult,  perhaps it is me, but  perhaps it is the cutters!   
Title: Re: glass cutting - problem with cutter
Post by: flame n fuse on March 18, 2015, 10:31:33 AM
if you press too hard you won't get a good cut and you'll damage the cutter. Listen to the cutter as you cut the line - there's a particular sound. There are some good videos on youtube
Title: Re: glass cutting - problem with cutter
Post by: Pat from Canvey on March 18, 2015, 04:51:13 PM
When I made stained glass panels, I used a cheap and cheerful cutter, about £3. I never used oil. It was only after a good few years that I treated myself to a Silberschnitt cutter and I still don't use oil.
Title: Re: glass cutting - problem with cutter
Post by: jackiesimmonds on March 19, 2015, 08:56:26 AM
yes, I do know about the sound, and have cut many pieces without problems. But Just occasionally tho I get this fine gritty stuff coming out of the cutter in a little wiggly line,  after it refuses to give me a nice clean score and fails to make the right noises!!!   That is quite different.  I have tried light pressure;  medium pressure - all sorts, pressure doesn't seem to make a difference.
I will try a new head.  See what happens.
Title: Re: glass cutting - problem with cutter
Post by: Nina A on March 19, 2015, 01:34:55 PM
I use white spirit in a small jar with a sponge in it,  dip in white spirit soaked sponge make the cut,  then repeat,   at the end of a long cutting session there are a few bits of glass in the bottom of the jar.  That's how I was taught over 15 years ago, and I've still got the same cutter now as when I started.

Title: Re: glass cutting - problem with cutter
Post by: jackiesimmonds on March 19, 2015, 10:33:45 PM
well how fascinating, will certainly try that.  thanks

When you say "then repeat" I presume you mean dipping onto the sponge, not repeat the cut.  Do feel free to correct me if I am wrong!
Title: Re: glass cutting - problem with cutter
Post by: Nina A on March 20, 2015, 09:58:40 AM
Quote from: jackiesimmonds on March 19, 2015, 10:33:45 PM
well how fascinating, will certainly try that.  thanks

When you say "then repeat" I presume you mean dipping onto the sponge, not repeat the cut.  Do feel free to correct me if I am wrong!

yes  - dip each time before you cut  :)