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View Full Version : Help Cutting Glass


namwodahs
10/15/2007, 11:48 AM
I'm trying to cut some glass to make baffles for my refugium and so far I've broken 2 pieces. I was able to do smaller glass, but these 18x36 panes are not cooperating. I'd like to get the rest of this cut without spending a lot more on practice glass :) Is there anyone near the UCF area that could help me out or show me how to do it?

Thanks
Jason

Pterodactyl
10/15/2007, 12:05 PM
There is Oviedo Glass in Oviedo that cuts glass. They are reasonable and may be able to do it.

JMR99
10/15/2007, 10:00 PM
I built my baffles out of acrylic from lowes, you can cut it very easy or they can cut it for you if you have measurements, here is a pic.


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/578/167881Fish_Tank_012__Small_.jpg

sick1166
10/15/2007, 10:02 PM
just score it once and put the crack on a pencil and snap it

JMR99
10/15/2007, 10:02 PM
couple of more pics, I hope it helps.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/578/167881Fish_Tank_011__Small_.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/578/167881Fish_Tank_017__Small_.jpg

namwodahs
10/15/2007, 10:15 PM
@JMR99: What thickness acrylic did you use? Did you just use silicon to attach it to the glass? Acrylic might be a better option for this project.

@sick1166: I tried scoring and snapping, but I can't seem to get the pressure right. Either I'm too light and it doesn't score deep enough or, as I've done once already, scored pretty hard and cracked the glass.

I was able to get smaller pieces of glass to cut fine, but just had problems when I tried this 18"x36" piece.

Thanks for your feedback!

JMR99
10/15/2007, 10:43 PM
It was 1/4" siliconed with aquarium safe silicone and it cost me $39.00 for a 36" x 48" sheet, I replaced one whole side of the sump to drill for the pump fitting, cut all the baffles and had pieces leftover...

namwodahs
10/15/2007, 11:32 PM
Where did you buy your silicon from? The ones I've found at Home Depot didn't say aquarium safe so I'm somewhat leery about them. Is it sold in a caulk-gun size tube or just those little tubes?

JMR99
10/16/2007, 08:14 AM
lowes and ace hardware have it in a small tube, but I know reefworks in lake mary carry the caulk-gun size tube for $11, that may be your best bet, because I went throgh 3 tubes @ $4.99 each, because I didn't want to drive to lake mary....here is the one I used..
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/167881Fish_Tank__Small_.jpg

cur10u5g30rg3
10/16/2007, 02:02 PM
I did the same thing recently for my sump using the same 1/4" acrylic from Lowes. I used 100% silicone in a caulk tube from lowes as well. It doesn't say aquarium safe. I just made sure to use the one without mild resistance. I have read a number of different aquarium build/repair threads that said as long as you don't get the milder resistance silicone, it is the same as what they sell as aquarium safe. I am no silicone expert, but mine has been together and in use for a few months now with no affects on my aquarium inhabitants or perimeters.