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The idea of “cutting” a mirror is somewhat misleading. To cut glass, you simply score its top surface. This weakens the composition of the glass enough that you can then snap the glass along the line you scored. While a glass cutter is the most practical and efficient tool you can use to cut a mirror, you can also use any other device sharp enough to score the surface of glass. Once you've found an object, the process of actually cutting the mirror will be the same regardless of what you've chosen to cut with.
Easiest Way to Cut a Mirror Without a Glass Cutter
- Measure and mark the cut line with a permanent marker.
- Score the mirror along the line with a carbide or diamond-tipped scribe.
- Put a dowel under the cut line and press down on both sides to snap the glass.
- Sand the edges of the mirror with 200-grit sandpaper to smooth them out.
Steps
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Pick a carbide scribe for a sharp, precise cut. Carbide scribes are tipped with tungsten carbide, a high-quality cutting material that's used in some of the best glass cutters. For cutting glass without a glass cutter, a scribe will be your best option. These tools don't have a cutting wheel, but the tip of the scribe is extremely fine and can easily score glass. [1] X Research source- You should be able to purchase a carbide scribe at most large hardware stores or home-improvement stores. It costs less than $10 USD.
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Select a diamond-tipped scribe for a longer-lasting tool. Diamond scribes are used to score sheets of metal for cutting in industrial settings. As such, they're more than sharp enough to score a sheet of mirror glass. [2] X Research source They'll also last longer than most carbide scribes.- You can purchase a diamond scribe through large online retailers or at some craft-supply stores.
- Diamond tipped scribes are about twice as expensive as the carbide tipped option. They'll cost about $20 USD.
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Use an ordinary steel file for a cheap option. Inexpensive glass cutters have steel blades, so a steel file works as an approximate replacement. If you don't have a steel file, you can purchase one at a hardware store for under $10 USD. The file doesn't need to be large, but should have relatively sharp, angled edges to cut the glass. To cut glass with steel, you'll position the sharp edge (or pointed tip) of the file against the mirror, then scrape it back and forth until you've lightly scored the glass. [3] X Research source- Be aware that using a rough steel edge (like a file) to cut glass may result in an imprecise cut and a sloppy break. A carbide scribe will produce a sharper, more clean and accurate cut.
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Lay 4-5 sheets of newspaper on a large, flat surface. You could use a tabletop or work on the floor. The sheets of newspaper will smooth out any rough spots or grit on the flat surface and give you a slightly padded workspace. [4] X Research source- The flat surface needs to support the entirety of the mirror. Do not place the mirror over 2 sawhorses, for example, or you'll risk breaking it in half.
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Spray the mirror with glass cleaner and wipe it with a microfiber cloth. The surface of the mirror will have dust and grit on it. If you cut the mirror without first removing the dirt, you'll risk dulling your cutting tool. Worse, you'll also risk a rough and imprecise cut. [5] X Research source- You can buy both glass cleaner and microfiber cloths at a large supermarket or hardware store.
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Measure where you want to cut the mirror. Use a metal ruler to measure the mirror and find where you want to cut. For example, if you would like a 2 ft (0.61 m) wide mirror, measure 24 inches (61 cm) from one side of the mirror. Measure in 3-4 different places and mark each spot with a small dot with your permanent marker. [6] X Research source- If you're cutting the mirror to fit in a frame, measure so that the cut mirror will be 2–4 millimetres (0.079–0.157 in) smaller than the interior of the frame. This will give it a nice secure fit.
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Mark the line you'll cut with a permanent marker. Hold the side of the metal ruler along the 3–4 dots you've marked in marker. Draw a straight line with a permanent marker. Use one hand to apply pressure to the ruler so that you'll draw a straight line exactly where you want to cut the glass. [7] X Research source -
Put on a pair of work gloves and protective eyewear. Since you'll be working with a cutting tool and with the sharp edges of the mirror, put on a pair of thick leather work gloves to protect your hands from cuts. Also wear protective glasses to keep glass dust from getting into your eyes. [8] X Research source- If you don't already own work gloves and protective eyewear, you can purchase both at any hardware store or home-improvement store.
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Squirt 4-5 drops of glass cutting oil along the line you marked. Use your finger to rub the beads of glass cutting oil evenly across the area you'll cut. Glass cutting oil will lubricate the patch of glass you'll cut through. If you don't apply oil to the glass before cutting, you may end up with an uneven, rough cut.- You can purchase glass cutting oil at a hardware store or home-improvement store. You could also use an all-purpose oil.
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Score the mirror by tracing a line across it with your cutting tool. Take your cutting tool and set its tip at one end of the line you drew in permanent marker. Press down hard on the tool and slowly draw the tip along the line you've marked. Continue to apply pressure so that the tool will uniformly score the glass.- Do not stop scoring the mirror once you've begun. If you stop scoring partway through the cut, it'll be very hard to re-begin scoring at the same place.
- If you're scoring the glass with a steel file, you may need to make 2-3 passes before the glass is adequately scored.
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Slide a dowel beneath the mirror along the length of the score. You'll be using the dowel to snap the mirror along the line you cut. Make sure that the dowel is perfectly centered beneath the scored line. [9] X Research source If it's not centered, you'll risk shattering the mirror when you press down.- If you don't already have a dowel handy, you can buy one at a hardware store.
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Press down on the sides of the glass to snap the mirror along the cut line. Once the dowel is centered beneath the line you've scored, set one hand on either side of the mirror on top of the dowels. Gently press downward until you feel the mirror snap in 2 along the scored line. [10] X Research source- If the mirror doesn't break at first, try pressing down in different spots. For example, press once at the top, middle, and bottom of the mirror.
- Always keep your hands opposite one another when you're pressing down.
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Sand the sharp edges of the mirror with 200 grit sandpaper. Once you've broken the mirror, you'll be left with 2 rough edges. Wrap a piece of 200 grit sandpaper around each edge and sand back and forth until the glass edge is smooth and dull.- Avoid touching the edges of the mirror until they've been sanded. The raw edges will be sharp and possibly jagged.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat can I use instead of a glass cutter?Drew Hawkins1Community AnswerIf you don't have a glass cutter, there are other items you can use to cut a mirro. You can use a carbide or diamond-tipped scribe to make precise cuts on the mirror. For a cheaper option, you can use a steel file with sharp, angled edges.
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QuestionHow can I cut a piece of glass?Drew Hawkins1Community AnswerYou can use a glass cutter tool that's made for the job, or you can use an alternative tool to cut a piece of glass. Use a carbide or diamond-tipped scribe to score the glass so you can snap it and create a clean edge. For a cheaper, but potentially sloppier edge, you can use an ordinary steel file. Scratch the surface of the glass to carve a scoring line into it. Then, slide a dowel beneath the glass along the length of the score and press down on the glass to cut it.
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QuestionCan you cut glass with a utility knife?Drew Hawkins1Community AnswerYes, you can use a utility knife to score glass so you can snap it along the cut and break it evenly. Use a straight edge or a ruler to guide your utility knife and score a straight line into the surface of the glass. You may need to make a few passes to cut deep enough. Then, you can place a dowel beneath the glass, under the scoring, and press down on both sides of the line to snap it.
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Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Glass cleaner
- Microfiber cloth
- Metal ruler
- Work gloves
- Protective eyewear
- Glass mirror
- Permanent marker
- Ruler
- Glass-cutting fluid
- Diamond scribe (optional)
- Carbide scribe (optional)
- Steel file (optional)
- Dowel
- 200 grit sandpaper
Tips
- When cutting a mirror at home, you'll have the best results if the glass is less than 1 ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) thick. If it's any thicker, you'll have better luck taking the mirror to a professional for cutting. [11] X Research sourceThanks
- Of course, for the best results, you should just use a glass cutter. They're inexpensive and more effective than these substitutes.Thanks
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Warning
- Carbide and diamond-tipped scribes are very sharp and could easily cut your skin. To avoid getting hurt, always cut perpendicular to your body, never directly towards it.
- If you happen to accidentally shatter a pane of mirror glass, don't pick it up by hand, as the shards could cut your fingers. Instead, use a broom to sweep the pieces into a dustpan.
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about glasswork, check out our in-depth interview with Douglass Brown .
References
- ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/reviews/a10186/worth-the-money-general-tools-carbide-scriber-16532819/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/jX02pARvlKA?t=39s
- ↑ https://youtu.be/9cHbe-87uQI?t=7s
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-mirror/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-mirror/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-mirror/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-mirror/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-mirror/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-mirror/
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you don’t have a glass cutter, you can still cut a mirror with a carbide scribe from a hardware store. For a cheaper option, use an ordinary steel file. You’ll also need newspaper, a metal ruler, glass cutting oil, sandpaper, and a piece of dowel. Set a few sheets of newspaper down on a flat surface to protect your mirror. Then, use your ruler and a permanent marker to draw a line where you want to cut the mirror. Make sure you wear protective gloves and glasses to protect yourself from glass dust. Squirt a few drops of glass cutting oil along the marked line. Then, trace the line along the ruler with your cutting tool. Once you’ve made the cut, slide a dowel underneath the line and push down gently on each side to break the mirror. Finally, sand the sharp edges with sandpaper to make them smooth. For more tips, including how to reduce the risk of dulling your cutting tools, read on!
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