Cutting a small glass disk

carveone

Hi all,

I need a small thin glass disk made for a project. I'm not sure can I make it myself with a circle glass cutter - it's only 60 mm across. I need a spindle hole - 7mm in the centre too!

I tried cutting 4mm glass yesterday with a standard cutter. I'm not very good at it but it does work!

I asked a local place and they can't go that small - they did down to 80mm. Just wondering are there places that can and drill holes too or would I be better off buying a cutter on ebay and handing it to one of the professionals. I found that glass tends to chip evil 1mm splinters into your paw if you aren't careful!

Thanks.

paddylonglegs

carveone wrote: »

Hi all,

I need a small thin glass disk made for a project. I'm not sure can I make it myself with a circle glass cutter - it's only 60 mm across. I need a spindle hole - 7mm in the centre too!

I tried cutting 4mm glass yesterday with a standard cutter. I'm not very good at it but it does work!

I asked a local place and they can't go that small - they did down to 80mm. Just wondering are there places that can and drill holes too or would I be better off buying a cutter on ebay and handing it to one of the professionals. I found that glass tends to chip evil 1mm splinters into your paw if you aren't careful!

Thanks.

Does it need to be glass or could it be 5mm clear acrylic? That should be easily cut on a router but not sure of price

carveone

paddylonglegs wrote: »

Does it need to be glass or could it be 5mm clear acrylic? That should be easily cut on a router but not sure of price

I wish it was! It's for a materials test. I already have thin metals and plastics and the next one is glass. Then gold leaf or something. I cut the first two from a template with a scissors. Not my scissors :P

Actually, maybe I can just give them a wooden template and then can copy it in some way. If it's a small 80mm disk, they said they could do that in a few seconds for a tenner. I suppose for a tenner I could get a cutter from ebay... End up cutting myself though.

fergal.b

Try using something like a diamond tip pen "used for glass engraving" and score around a cup or something the size you need then put the bit of glass into cold water and then hot water it should crack along the score, you could also try putting it into the freezer and then in hot water "wear Goggles"
Another option would be to look around for one like the face of a clock or a gauge, I have one here from a fuel gauge but it's only 50mm your welcome to it if you want. As for drilling the hole I say you could do with a dermel multi tool.
You should also be able to get a glass hole cutter from some of the bigger hardware shops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP--79vW59k

carveone

Thanks fergal, that looks like a good way of doing it. The local places have circle cutters but they don't go down that small. If I was doing a whole bunch I'd buy some online or in town and do it myself or give them the tools.

The fuel gauge is a nice idea too, cheers. I'm not sure how close to 60mm it has to be but it's for flow and wettability comparisons so probably has to be the same as the others. Thanks for the offer, I should check up on that.

The drill press here is slow enough to drill glass with the appropriate tip and likely safer than the high speed of a dremel. Plenty of safety equipment too (that no one wears).

"The measurements on this cutter are in cm so you'll have to use an online conversion website"

LOL! What's wrong with Americans

carveone

Went to Clondalkin glass and he cut two 60mm disks for me from scrap for under a fiver in 5 mins. Polished the edges and all. That's the answer - get an expert to do it! :P