Glass cutter help.

[humdrum_hostage]

My better half has asked me to try and cut the top off some wine bottles. I thought I would start with the traditional glass cutting wheel scriber thingy but it seems there is a minefield of them out there! There is diamond wheels, dry wheels, oiled wheels and even one with 5 wheels on a wheel!!!

Where do I begin?

Has anyone any advice?

Or will I be better just buying a bottle cutter?

 

[Drain Bamaged]

Something we used to do years ago was tie a bit of meths soaked string around the bottle at the point you want to cut it, set it alight and when it burns out dip the bottle in cold water.......It 'should' break along the line that the string was tied. Doesn't always work but fun trying it, we used to make vases etc.

D.B.

 

[hiho]

Something we used to do years ago was tie a bit of meths soaked string around the bottle at the point you want to cut it, set it alight and when it burns out dip the bottle in cold water.......It 'should' break along the line that the string was tied. Doesn't always work but fun trying it, we used to make vases etc.

D.B.

done it the same way too, just be careful they sometimes shatter

 

[Mesquite]

If you've got an electric wet wheel tile cutter you can get much better results with one of those than any hand held glass cutter or burning string method.

 

[bopdude]

As Mesquite says, a diamond cutting wheel on a wet cutter or in an angle grinder with water fed to it via a wet sponge, safety gear of course

 

[humdrum_hostage]

I saw the string way but wanted something a little more precise.

The diamond wheel is a good idea, didn't think of that. I have a grinder. The main reason for the scriber style was purely for cost purposes for now.

Swmbo is running a zero waste campaign and the idea was to try and upcycle/recycle at home.

 

[bopdude]

I saw the string way but wanted something a little more precise.

The diamond wheel is a good idea, didn't think of that. I have a grinder. The main reason for the scriber style was purely for cost purposes for now.

Swmbo is running a zero waste campaign and the idea was to try and upcycle/recycle at home.

How many have you to do ? You can get them at a reasonable cost for a mid range one, I might have an old one kicking about ( Tiler ), I'll check tomorrow :0

 

[Nice65]

No experience really, we used to fill the bottle with oil to the cut point and then dip a hot poker in. I had a Massdrop email a couple of days ago about a Kinkajou cutter. They're available here, but I know nothing about them.

https://bottlecutter.co.uk/

 

[John Fenna]

A much better way of recycling wine bottles at home is to re-fill them with home made wine!
When I cut bottles in the past I used a simple dry scriber thinggy but clamped to a block of wood to make a jig - push bottle against the jig, turn the bottle, tap the neck = clean break (which was then sanded round).
Result ... a rather boring vase!

 

[dwardo]

I have been cutting glass since I could reach over the glass bench Family business.

The green handled cheap glass/tile cutters are pretty nasty and gouge out a cut. Yes they may get the job done but a good quality oil filled single diamond wheel cutter is far better. But, they are about £15-£30 for a decent one.

Like using most tools its experience and practice rather than the all about the tool its self.

Even pressure and let the cutter do the work. You are not trying to cut the glass in half with the cutter but rather create a fine even score and weakness in the surface that can be vented and hopefully split where you want it to. To vent a cut you tap from the opposite side of the surface you have cut. I would use the back of the cutter. Has to be something metal and take your time.
Always makes me laugh when you see the cat burglars cut a circle in one side of the window and pull it out. Complete tosh. You need to have access to he back of the window which kinda defeats the object

A bottle is going to be a bit of a pig as you want a continuous score and pressure on something that's round. Stopping and starting is where you are going to trip up so johns idea about mounting the cutter and turning the bottle sounds like a plan to me.

If you struggle to find a good cutter let me know and will pop in and see how much they are at my mums place.

 

[Tengu]

Cutting glass is a PITA and cutting bottles is worse.

(Says she who has dabbled in staned glass windows, and yes, bottle breaking.)

I wouldnt cut a bottle without a diamond saw. Any other way is a great way to smash things up and get frustrated.

 

[santaman2000]

A much better way of recycling wine bottles at home is to re-fill them with home made wine!
When I cut bottles in the past I used a simple dry scriber thinggy but clamped to a block of wood to make a jig - push bottle against the jig, turn the bottle, tap the neck = clean break (which was then sanded round).
Result ... a rather boring vase!

The most appealing use I saw was not for the bottom (an uninspiring vessel as you said) but rather for the tops. One winery I visited (and a friends wedding reception) used the tops for lamps. Set a tea candle on the table and place the cut bottle top over it.

 

[bopdude]

Well I have a part used blade here for a 20mm bore angle grinder if you would like it pm your address and I'll post it out for you to try

 

[humdrum_hostage]

I might have an old one kicking about ( Tiler ), I'll check tomorrow :0

If you could see if you got one that would be great!

I had a Massdrop email a couple of days ago about a Kinkajou cutter. They're available here, but I know nothing about them.

https://bottlecutter.co.uk/

Funny enough that's what I saw but thought I would try a cheaper option first just in case it was a waste of time/money.

If you struggle to find a good cutter let me know and will pop in and see how much they are at my mums place.

As above, if you could have a look please. Probably better than me having a stab in the dark at which to buy. Let me know how much.

Well I have a part used blade here for a 20mm bore angle grinder if you would like it pm your address and I'll post it out for you to try

I'm afraid mine's a 115mm x 22mm thanks for the offer though.

 

[bopdude]

I'll double check that, I measured quickly, now you mention it 22.2mm rings a bell

BRB.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[Dave Budd]

I remember seeing a bottle bottom removed by dropping a ball bearing inside and swirling it around until it breaks. I bet that if you employ dwardo's scoring with the ball bearing, it will be clean and cheap ��

 

[bopdude]

They are in fact 22.2mm bore, let me know if you want one and send me an address, I'll post it out