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These two videos that I made will show you the basics of cutting down a glass bottle into a drinking glass, ash tray, funnel, steampunk lamp, tiles, and lampworking rods.
In the video, I progressively break down the bottle in this order:
-First, I cleanly remove the neck. I now have a drinking glass and a funnel.
-Second, I cut off the bottom. I now have an ash tray and a steampunk lamp cover.
-Thirdly, I cut the cylinder lengthwise. I now have something I can cut into tiles and lampworking -rods (see picture two on this page for the lampworking rods)
With two simple tools you can professionally and confidently cut a glass bottle in any way, in any direction, and for an infinite number of projects.
The two tools you will need are:
-A glass cutting scribe ($1.00-$4.00 from hardware store)
-A small butane pen torch ($8.00-$10.00)
Time to upcycle!
Here is an instruct able I made that shows you how to turn glass bottled into beads
These two videos that I made will show you the basics of cutting down a glass bottle into a drinking glass, ash tray, funnel, steampunk lamp, tiles, and lampworking rods.
In the video, I progressively break down the bottle in this order:
-First, I cleanly remove the neck. I now have a drinking glass and a funnel.
-Second, I cut off the bottom. I now have an ash tray and a steampunk lamp cover.
-Thirdly, I cut the cylinder lengthwise. I now have something I can cut into tiles and lampworking -rods (see picture two on this page for the lampworking rods)
With two simple tools you can professionally and confidently cut a glass bottle in any way, in any direction, and for an infinite number of projects.
The two tools you will need are:
-A glass cutting scribe ($1.00-$4.00 from hardware store)
-A small butane pen torch ($8.00-$10.00)
Time to upcycle!
Here is an instruct able I made that shows you how to turn glass bottled into beads
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Signing UpStep 1Video 1/2
My video editing software is on the fritz today, so I was unable to edit or splice these two videos together. Feel free to skip around!
Please, wear gloves and safety glasses. You could skip the gloves like me, but you may get burned by accidentally touching the hot areas (like I did). Hot glass does look exactly like cold glass ;)
But seriously, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!
Please, wear gloves and safety glasses. You could skip the gloves like me, but you may get burned by accidentally touching the hot areas (like I did). Hot glass does look exactly like cold glass ;)
But seriously, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!
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When you cut glasses the way I do in the 'ible it's really easy to grind them smooth. Since the cuts are practically at flush, you just need to beak the sharp area with sand paper.
You need to melt the edges smooth for professional results...but that's a bit more complicated. I'll have to make an 'ible for that soon.
iv seen how they do that for wine glasses but im hoping you have some sort of secrete method to do it with less special equipment.
Once the lip is smooth and level, grab a small piece of sandpaper(or a sanding sponge works very well her) and smooth the sharp edges.
Certainly, flame polishing produces a superior result, but I'll have to wait for nepherons 'ible, on account of the last fe times I tried flame polishing, i got shattered glass ;-) Even then though, it will give better results if you have sanded down to a level, smooth surface before applying the flame. Straight from cutting to polishing will produce a more rustic and handmade look, which might be a good thing.
*thumbs up*
It wouldn't hurt to wear a pair of leather gloves to avoid scorching your finger tips! Remember, you ARE showing this Instructable to people who have NO experience with this stuff, as well as those who do have experience.
Safety First - Always!!
Other than that, you've given me a couple of ideas for some lamp shades that I can't find replacements for ;) If you put that half/cylinder onto a kiln for a while with the curve going up at a heat high enough to slump glass, it will lay flat so you can cut your color strips for your beads ;)
Thanks!!
Amazing how simple it is, when you see a short video, instead of trying to follow the usual complex written directions,or use those stupid pointy metal sticks and balls.
In part 2/2 though, I saw a little foible :-)
The ball end of that cutter is used to hit the side OPPOSITE the score(around Min 2:50). It actually works REALLY well that way, and produced a cleaner edge. The reason not to always break that way is, before the ends come off, there's just not room to swing the tapper.
SIDE NOTE :
For any beginner glass cutters out there, a little cutting oil(even motor oil works i in a pinch) on the cutting wheel, and a single clean stroke. No need to go over the cut multiple times. in fact, double scoring usually makes things worse.
Cutting a bottle lengthwise is much harder than cutting the end off LOL. Sometimes the score line just won't pop! The only way around that would be to let it cool off and try again, but I was filming LOL.