scoring pressure?

3-5 lbs pressure is all that's needed. Using a scale does help one get the idea as to what 3-5 lbs is. The score should look like a hair laying on the glass. If it looks like you've got tiny bits of salt on the glass, you're pressing too hard. Just practice on some scrap and you soon get it.

Andy

Will Roberts wrote:

Speaking as one with a couple of herniated discs myself, (L4. L5 S1) I have found that there are some tricks for us that help keep the numbness away all day.

First off, most beginners score too hard to start with, that little wheel will not go all the way thru that glass no matter how hard you try. SO try this:

Take some scrap, don't care what, but if you can stay away from opal glasses for the moment, life will be easier. Forget the scale, (wonderful to know the psi, but basically useless). What cutter are you using? I like a Thomas grip or a Fletcher steel carbide that goes between the fingers.

I can score nicely sitting down, but get a more consistent score if I am pulling toward me and can se the pattern line, so practice that way. I use a Thomas grip, and just hook my index finger over it. when I score there is no groove, (with chips flying!) in the glass, just a slight line. To get to that point, score your glass as you have been, then move over to the side and do it again lighter in pressure, move again and lighten up, keep doing that until there is barely a line or mark in the glass from your cutter. Now start breaking it, with whatever method you have been taught. I use my hands, you will be surprised how light a score it takes to cut glass, try it with opal and you will see only a slight change in pressure needed. Now use the lightest pressure you found and practice that, PRACTICE LIKE CRAZY.

The numbness usually comes from nerves getting pinched, depending on where your pinch is will determine if you stand or sit, and how hard you grip a cutter, lighten up on the score, lighten up on the grip and you will be able to cut all day long. Depending on our discs and where the nerves are pinched. All cutting pressure should come from your shoulders, not you hands. Watch your forearms, if the muscles in the top of your forearms are getting tight, you need to take a break.

Hope that helps.

Get yourself a Toyo pistol grip cutter. I've taught everyone from kids to seniors with arthritis, and that cutter requires the least amount of pressure, and has the smallest stress on the wrist.

I agree with the pistol grip idea. Holding the cutter in your palm/multiple fingers tends to force you to use your bigger muscles. Hold the cutter with the same pressure you would if you were holding an egg. You don't need to white-knuckle it.

There's a product that does the cutting, you just guide it around. A friend of mine is selling one, she's retiring. Not sure what it's called.

Jack

Try the Cutters Mate its a fantastic tool which is perfect for this problem, simply steer it over the glass and it applies the correct pressure, it comes with a Toyo glass cutter head and is really well made, click here for more info:

hope this helps

James

Will Roberts wrote:

I think it's the Score One? I met the designer and sold them when it was first out. He then sold it to Inland I think? It's OK but I would consider this only if all else fails.

I think that is the Cutter's Mate which is fairly expense

Hers looks more like the Cutters Mate.

Jack

That's the one.

Jack

Sorry I never looked at the pix...

hello,

You can easily cut glass, sitting on a chair, with your legs crossed, so you can adjust the height of your work, use a board where you cut your glass on. if you hear the glasscutter scratch the glass, you've applied enough pressure. cut at the edge of the board and use your other hand to guide the glass, so your cutter will always cut forward. this way of working will not hurt your back.

Glasatelier Max

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