I just built a few mining structures and the instructions in the Evergreen do it yourself manual said that if you score the 4 sides of a window, you could bend it around a little and it would pop out. That you could do it with styrene up to .040.
Well, I found I had to pretty much score it all the way through.
What is your experience?
What about drilling a hole and using a saw–like maybe a coping saw blade?
I cut thru on three sides and then snap the fourth side. I found that using single edge razor blades worked well with a metal ruler as a guide. A # 11 blade was too thick to easily cut through.
EDIT: I have found that cutting against glass lets me put pressure on the cuts, without breaking the piece. The glass shown in the picture is over 15 years old, it holds up well.
Thanks Alan,
Now to figure out where to get some glass.
Anyone use any kind of saw for more precsion interior cuts?
Two points on glass:
Get thick glass; not the single strength picture frame stuff (it could break from the stress). Break (round off) the edges; you could get cut.
Do NOT get tempered glass; it will turn into a pile of glass bits from either trying to sand the edges or from the action of cutting on it.
I have some 8 x 16 glass shelves at the store–1/4" non-tempered.
[:-^]
For a glass cutting board, I use a glass cutting board ha ha ha .
No really, I bought a glass cutting board out of a bargan bin a while ago and it works just great. I think it only cost about $4.00. I suspect it is tempered but have not had any problems with it.
One side is kind of pebbled and holds my cutting mat just great. But when I want that ultra smooth surface you are talking about for window openings etc, I just turn it over and that side is as smooth as silk.
One thing I have learned is that you don’t always have to have the highly sofisticated items, quite often regular, run of the mill type goods do the trick quite well. Just keep your eyes open and use common sense, keeping in mind the job you want to do or the problem you want to solve and the solution will be far more economical than the other option.
I use a 12"x12" mirror from Lowe’s–it’s the kind used to create the “wall of mirrors” effect. Cheap and durable.
Bill
North Baltimore & Scottsdale Rail Road
The MicroMark 81477 Nibbling Cutter does a good job for window openings - this is a manual one, not that expensive elecrtic one.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81477
You have to open a 1/4" dia hole in the sheet to insert the cutter head; you can fudge this a bit by using a smaller dia drill and squaring it up with a hobby knife to fit the head.
Thanks–cool looking tool.
Chip, Micromark sell a “corner cutter” for window openings. You place it in your drill press and bring it down, (with the drill off obvly) its basically a 90degree blade, cuts pefect corners and speeds up things alot. I’ll try and find a link if I can, or you can just go to MM and do a search.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81652
Regards
Karl.
That looks really cool too.
(Don’t you just love tools?)
totally off topic BUT…
ukguy, that is a beatiful tressel!!!
I don’t know if you ever thought about it, but have you ever tried using microscope slides for your glass needs.
When I helped my dad build his O scale passenger cars, we used microscope slides. They are a thicker glass and are not tempered. They also cut nicely with any type of diamond cutting bit. They make excellent windows. There some of the best glass we have dealt with. Nice rectangle shaped pieces of glass. Just a thought.
Happy Railroading!
James