Q&A for How to Cut Glass

Bending glass, particularly plate glass, a process commonly known as slumping, depends on the specific glass type and its intended use. This method doesn't require molten temperatures; instead, it hinges on reaching a temperature at which the glass attains the necessary malleability to bend and adopt different shapes. The precise temperature levels needed for the desired bends may differ, but this bending process is generally carried out in a kiln. The glass is gradually heated to a specific temperature and subsequently cooled to achieve the desired shape.

You can cut any tiles you want with a glass-cutter. Just see it as a piece of glass, and when you've carried out the cut, place the handle of the glass-cutter exactly under the cut and press down firmly on both sides. The tile will break easily.

Yes, a mirror is just a piece of glass, but cutting it requires a first step. A mirror is reflective because of the silver color coating on one side. This requires you to first cut the coating with a razor blade exactly on the line where your glass cut is going to be. If you don't do this first, the coating will peel at your cut and ruin your mirror.

Normally, yes. The only exception is for "front surface mirrors" and they are not common items.

That's not entirely "wrong." People tend to do what works best for them. If I am cutting a shape and don't need both pieces of cut glass, i.e; off cut may be discarded, I often place a dowel under the scored glass, slightly more to one side of the score line (the side I wish to keep) and I tap the off cut side to break it off.

No, a glass cutter is not a knife. You should use a razor blade so the silver film on the back side of the mirror will be as clean as the glass cut. Remember, you will be looking through the glass side when you cut the glass so you can see the cut on the film. You cannot cut the mirror on the film side with the glass cutter as it will not score the glass; you will ruin the mirror every time.

A little tap is not always necessary. For 2 mm glass, just grasp the off-cut and bend it downwards. It should break cleanly and easily. However, 2 mm glass is only available up to a maximum width of 60 centimetres (and a normal length of 160 centimetres). If you're cutting glass thicker than that, then a light tap at the beginning of the cut will reliably start the run and the cut-off will peel off cleanly. You will also be able to see how the tap causes the cut to penetrate the thickness of the glass, and that's what you want to achieve. If it doesn't do that, then tap it again, but this time slightly harder. MsG

I use a knife sharpening stone. Just rub it on any sharp edge or corner. It's quick and it works well.

Carbide, diamond, and platinum are good - carbide being the most cost-effective.

The tool can be bought at a home improvement store. It is called a glass cutter and has a small diamond impregnated wheel at the end.

Cutting a mirror is identical to cutting annealed glass. Score it where you want to cut, then break it down the score. Sand the edges down so they're not sharp.

Yes, but first you need to freeze the glass for 24 hours before following the above steps. The cold temperature will remove the heat-resistant part of the glass.