How to cut a mirror at home

Sometimes there is a desire to purchase a mirror of some intricate form, but in stores it is quite difficult to find non-standard items. Of course, you can use the help of a specialist, but if you come to this page, then you assume that you will manage without it. The most important thing in this business is to handle the product with extreme caution and to strictly follow all the rules and recommendations. If you are capable of it, cutting will not seem like a difficult affair. Why not try? It is always interesting to learn something new.

Sometimes there is a desire to purchase a mirror of some intricate form, but in stores it is quite difficult to find non-standard items.

Safety when cutting glass

Before cutting the mirror with a glass cutter, familiarize yourself with the safety requirements.

• Put the workplace in order, remove from the table all unnecessary. Place the trim boxes, work tools and the product itself in their places.
• Make sure all fixtures are working.
• Put rubber tips on pliers lips or wrap something.
• Boxes with glass are always installed vertically.
• Be sure to use a special suit, gloves and goggles.
• Take your time and try not to make sudden movements.
• Do not touch the glass cut line with your fingers, not protected by gloves.
• It is forbidden to cut the product on items not intended for this.
• When working at heights it is impossible to drop the glass down. Always take trim and whole glass with you.
• Cutting is allowed only in the opposite direction to the cutting part.
• It is necessary to install glass at strong supports with an inclination to 15 °.
• In the process, put unnecessary trim in the box and send them to the trash as they accumulate.
• Remove the glass from the drawer carefully. If the glass is cracked, take it out in separate pieces.
• Do not cut the product on your lap.
• Use electric glass cutters neatly.
• If the product is brought from the cold, be sure to warm it.
• Sweep the floor and clean the benches with a special brush. Do not attempt to blow away glass dust.
• Before you finish the work, shake the special suit thoroughly, cleaning it from crushed glass particles.

First, the entire surface of the mirror must be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed with soda solution.

The place where the cutting will take place must be flat so that the mirror fits tightly over the entire surface.

Required Tools

Be sure to check the availability of all materials before trimming the mirror. The table will fit the most standard, the main thing is that the dimensions of the table top should correspond to the surface of the mirror surface, ideally - they should exceed it.

Two types of glass cutters are known: diamond and roller, and the mirror at home can be cut with both.

If you plan to insert a mirror into the frame, get it in advance.

Then you need to attach a ruler to the line, preferably a metal one.

Work should be done carefully, without haste.

The most important tool is, of course, the glass cutter.Tools that can cut glass at home are of three types:

• roller - the cutting part is made of highly durable alloy;
• diamond - technical diamond is used as a cutting part;
• oil - have the same characteristics as the roller, there is an additional reservoir.

This technique allows you to control the correctness of the position of the cutting part of the glass cutter and provides a guarantee that the glass cutter does not jump off this line to the ruler.

If you are wondering which glass cutter is worth buying, choose a diamond one. It surpasses the roller both in quality and in service life.

It is clear that the cutting element must be located strictly on the marked line and perpendicular to the surface of the mirror.

During operation, the glass cutter is tightly pressed against the surface of the mirror and ruler.

Another necessary tool is a special thick ruler or a square for cutting glass. However, you can use the usual metal ruler, you only need to slightly improve it. To do this, you will need some rubber or leather pieces. They need to put a ruler. This will prevent the metal from sliding on the glass and raise the ruler to a level high enough to stop the glass cutter.

The pressure and movement of the glass cutter should be smooth, progressive.

You will also need pliers and a hammer, which is designed to facilitate the process of breaking glass by tapping the mirror from the back side. It is desirable that the hammer was small.

When properly cut, a thin white line will remain on the surface of the mirror.

The specialist is able to determine by ear the correctness of cutting - by the characteristic light cod.

It is highly desirable to cover the countertop with a veil. The fabric must be natural and have the necessary density, because on it you will manipulate the mirror. If a blanket is not used, fragile glass on the hard surface of the table can crack in any careless movement.

When the cut line is ready, the mirror lies on the edge of the surface (table, workbench, stool).

The last element is a water-soluble marker or wax pencil for marking.

If this does not work, then with a small hammer you need to knock on the bottom along the entire line, moving the hammer from its far end towards you.

How to prepare the glass for the procedure?

So that the line of the cut does not “go away” to the side in the future, first of all, the surface of the product must be cleaned and rinsed with soda. If the stains and dirt are badly rubbed, use alcohol. The old mirror will help to wash special liquids for glasses. It is not necessary to wipe it with a cloth after cleaning, as it will definitely leave unnecessary villi.

After that, if the piece is not separated, the cutting process should be repeated.

If you have just purchased a mirror, you need to leave it for a couple of hours in the room where the entire cutting process will be carried out. During this time, the product adapts to the temperature and humidity of the room. Then, if the mirror was previously in the box, wipe it with paper napkins.

If possible, it is better to purchase a diamond glass cutter - it cuts better and its service life is longer.

Make sure that the place where the cutting will be carried out is perfectly even, otherwise the product will not be able to lie flat on the surface. Remember the soft cover that you need to cover the surface of the table. Place the product on the workbench with the reflective side up.

When cutting glass is better to use protective glasses.

The main thing is to do the work calmly and carefully, and then you will succeed.

The next stage is marking the cutting line. Remember the proverb "measure seven times - cut once"? For our situation, it fits perfectly. After measuring, carefully cut the cutting line with a wax pencil. Then attach a metal ruler to it.Do not forget to put under the pieces of rubber or leather.

In some cases, pliers with rubber pads are used to remove the cut fragments of a thin mirror.

Now you just have to insert a mirror into a prefab frame.

Start cutting

The glass cutter should be placed at a right angle to the mirror surface strictly on the marked line. A little pressing to the glass, you need to gently lead in the direction leading to you. Do not hurry. Move the glass cutter gently and precisely along the intended line. If you hear the sound of glass being cut, then everything is going well. The creak says that the glass cutter is broken, or you are doing something wrong.

The old mirror will help to wash special liquids for glasses.

With proper cutting on the glass you will see a thin line. If everything goes well, place the mirror on the workbench so that the line protrudes slightly over the edge. Then slightly push on the cut off part, holding the other hand with the other hand. The glass should fall off. If this does not happen, knock the whole line with a hammer from the bottom, moving it towards yourself. Does not work? Repeat the cutting procedure again. Small fragments are removed with pliers.

If you have just purchased a mirror, you need to leave it for a couple of hours in the room where the entire cutting process will be carried out.

Attention! If you do not have special glasses, do not lean too low to avoid splintering in the eyes.

The creak says that the glass cutter is broken, or you are doing something wrong.

It is done!

The work is almost finished. Now you just have to insert a mirror into a prefab frame. If not, cover the sharp edges with sandpaper to protect yourself from the cut.

With proper cutting on the glass you will see a thin line.

As you can see, the process of cutting glass is not so complicated. The main thing is to do the work calmly and carefully, and then you will succeed!

. If everything goes well, place the mirror on the workbench so that the line protrudes slightly over the edge.

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