How do I best cut laminated glass?

[Herr Hysteres]

Hello

I need to send a 3x1m laminated glass pane to recycling. I haven't measured the thickness but would guess it's 8.76 mm.

The piece is currently heavy and long in this format. How do I best cut it into 3-4 more manageable pieces without injuring myself and without it cracking? Angle grinder?

 

[pelpet]

Give it away on Blocket instead. There are probably many who want such a glass sheet.

 

[mexitegel]

If you don't want it to shatter with the risk of glass breaking everywhere, you might buy a cheap tarp from somewhere like Biltema and wrap it in that, then smack it a few times with a hammer/sledgehammer and soon you'll have it in a manageable size. .

I've had rather poor experiences cutting glass with an angle grinder, but one must try

 

[thomasx]

The whole point of laminated glass is that it doesn't shatter into a bunch of loose pieces if it breaks, but it is held together by the laminate.

I really have no idea how to do it, or if it's "possible" to separate it. But cut as usual with a glass cutter, but on both sides, since there are two glass panes. Then break as usual, and afterwards cut through the laminate with a utility knife. Let us know how it worked out

 

[mexitegel]

Yes, it is held together by the laminate, but there will still be lots of tiny, tiny glass splinters if it cracks.

I also guess that it is tempered, and then it is impossible to process.

 

[thomasx]

Yes, if it is hardened, the easiest option is probably to borrow a trailer...

 

[findus42]

One makes a scratch on both sides with a glass cutter. Then apply denatured alcohol on the scratch, light it on fire, and let it burn out. Then break the glass as usual. It looks like magic when a glassmaker does it.

Best regards, Findus

 

[thomasx]

You make a scratch on both sides with a glass cutter. Then you apply denatured alcohol to the scratch and light it, letting it burn out. Then you break the glass as usual. Looks like magic when a glazier does it.

Best regards, Findus

Do you apply denatured alcohol on one side at a time, or just on one side?

 

[findus42]

Only one side.

 

[thomasx]

Googled a bit to see the "magic," instead found a video with a guy doing what I had in mind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccd-PLyI0ic

 

[mexitegel]

You make a score on both sides with a glass cutter. Then you apply denatured alcohol to the score and set it on fire, letting it burn out. Then you break the glass as usual. It looks like magic when a glazier does it.

Best regards, Findus

Cool! Do you mean for laminated glass or tempered or both?

 

[findus42]

Tempered cannot be processed or cut at all. Only laminated.

Regards, Findus

 

[Bigfoot]

Blocket as mentioned. There is surely someone nearby who is on the lookout for cheap glass to build an impressive solar air heater.

 

[Daniel_N]

Cool! Do you mean for laminated glass or for tempered or both?

It is for laminated glass. The heat from the flame makes the interlayer easier to cut. I've never done it myself but know that's how my glassmaker does it. Tempered glass cannot be cut and broken with a regular glass cutter. I guess there are special saws or maybe other techniques that can handle it, but I don't know how it's done.

EDIT: Noticing this insanely late...

 

[findus42]

Exactly. We fall asleep in front of the tablet because there might be a question to answer . Sleep well
Regards, Findus