How do you cut mirrors.....?

[FJ and G]

.....without breaking them and having bad luck for the next 7 years?

I have chunks of mirror that I'd like to experiment with by positioning strategically on the layout to make my big layout appear even bigger.

Obviously wear gloves and goggles when handling/cutting glass. I was thinking of trying my wetsaw, which I used to cut tile for the bathroom. I believe it has diamonds impregnated in the cutting wheel. Any suggestions appreciated.


Dave Vergun

[spankybird]

Hi Dave,
you may want to try using the old fashion and proven glass cuter. Just be sure that the glass in not tempered.

[wallyworld]

I use a lubricated glass cutter you can buy in a craft store used for stained glass-it is more expensive but virtually foll proof as I am the fool who must have 100 years of bad luck before my wife suggested this as she is into glass. Make sure you use a steel rule or something pretty rigid as a guide and preferably clamp it in place. If you are as fumble fingered as I can be - you might end up with several score lines instead of one as I have managed to do in the past, if you don't use a guide.

[FJ and G]

Thanks, guys. Lubricated glass cutter? Hmmm. Learn something new every day!

Incidentally, I've seen some amazing tricks used with mirrors on layouts in places you'd least expect.

[Anonymous]

Tradesmens use kerosene with a small amount of oil for lubrication when scoring with a glass cutter. For best results, only make one score. The bevel on the wheel creates a fissure down into the glass. The kerosene helps to keep a nice fissure by preventing flacking of glass chips from the score. Snapping the glass just requires confidence usually developed with some experience.

[spankybird]

Hi Dave,

check this out

http://www.fletcher-terry.com/hardware/tips/cutglass.shtml

tom

[Big_Boy_4005]

The idea is that when you roll the wheel over the glass, you create a weak spot, then a quick snap, and it should break cleanly along the line you created. That's the theory , anyway. In practice, it's not always that clean a break. Good luck.

[waltrapp]

It would seem on the surface that the kerosene/oil would make the glass cutter roller 'not roll' but rather just glide along. Interesting.

[BigJim]

From one who does stained glass;
Just use a glass cutter dipped in a light oil such as 3in1 oil. Make only one score. Never go back over a score you have already made or you may as well toss the cutter. If you have a piece that you can get a good hold of, place your index fingers below the score, your thumbs on top to each side of the score and gently apply pressure downward. If it is a straight cut it should snap apart smartly. Good luck.

PS; Mirror silver is some finicky stuff. You may encounter a bit of flakeing at the edge of the cut.

[Anonymous]

I use the old fashion glass cutter. It works well. Alan

[Anonymous]

Dave:
Mirror glass cut to size at a retail Glazier/Mirror shop is very inexpensive. Just be sure to take accurate measurements.
Bill
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[Anonymous]

Stop by a stained-glass shop and ask. They'll point you to the appropriate cutter. You might need a file also to smooth the edges (so that you do not slice your fingers to pieces)