Cutting, Nipping, Breaking, Tools of the Trade

10 years ago

Would like to hear your thoughts on cutting different types of tess and what tools are essential and other tools you just love.

I use alot of stained glass and like to nip it, something about the edges not being uniform appeals to me, although I must admit there are times when I want a particular shape and need to use a tool to get a desired finished piece.
So then I turn to....... What? I have a hand held glass cutter, I score the glass and then break it, doesn't always work the way I would like.

I never know the best tool. I've wasted alot of plates and glass experimenting. Honestly I don't even know what's out there, tool wise. When I read silvas article this morning it led me to another and this person mentioned a Taurus 3 ring saw... Never heard of it... Expensive, but interesting. I don't want to run out and buy a million different tools, but if there is something to make life a little easier I would like to know about it.

My husband has a tile saw, he is a carpenter. It's loud and I didn't see any guard around the blade... Is that typical, it makes me a little nervous.

So, are you using a tile saw to cut you plates so precisely, a glass cutter, what?

Thanks for any and all answers!

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Comments (5)

barbfrizzell1955
10 years ago
I've never used one, but a tile saw would enable you to cut cups in half and to cut plates, etc..I have a Taurus 3 ring saw and there is a blade you can buy which enables you to cut plates but you are limited in the height of what you are cutting. It cuts slower than a tile saw would. You can also use your ring saw to cut glass. It might not be a tool that you use every day, but for the times you do need it, you will be glad you have one. As far as cutting shapes, a Beetle Bits or Morton would allow you to cut strips, squares, rectangles, diamonds, etc...I think there are also circle cutting accessories you can purchase too?
Hope someone else chimes in which their opinions!
silvamae
10 years ago
I have a Taurus 3 ring saw and I know that you can detach the saw from the stand and use it to cut larger objects that won't fit otherwise. But I never got up the nerve to use it that way! My friend has a tool that cuts circles. It works with a suction cup and an arm that turns around and it scores the glass.
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silvamae
10 years ago
Here's another good instruction article, from Enchanted Rose Studio.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to nip
wackyweeder
10 years ago
I like cutting by hand. I dont use any power tools, I enjoy that, but thats me. To help with your hand cutting read up on stained glass, older books where they teach the art of cutting, not just whipping out a saw. I learned a lot that way.
I would enjoy having a tile saw at times for particular things, but like you, I enjoy the imperfections.
julie10059
10 years ago
I have been experimenting with all the different cutting tools & have come to the conclusion that I need to buy me a ring saw. I guess I will be selling a lot of my scrapbooking supplies to pay for my new hobby lol. I have also purchased a dremel as a lot of people have had good luck with those as well. No matter what you use,if you are happy with the result then thats all that counts & in any hand made craft, doesn't have to be perfect :)
I have a tumbler that I tumble a lot of my cut china & glass with a little sand out of our back yard as we live on a sandhill, works great. Just 1.5 tablespoons per a 3 lb drum takes all the sharp edges off after about 30 minutes for china or pottery & a little longer for glass