5 Things to Avoid When Cutting Glass for Fusing

If you are planning on creating some fused glass designs you really do need to know about cutting glass. Cutting glass can be very enjoyable once you know what you are doing but if you don’t it could lead to some messy accidents. Below you will find a list of 5 things that you mustn’t do when cutting glass especially art glass for fusing.

1. Don’t press too hard when you make your score lines. If your score line gives you a very visible scratch then you are pressing too hard. You might also have tiny shards of glass coming away from the score line and the results you will get when you break along the score line can be very unpredictable. This is really important if you are cutting dichoric glass and other fusing glass types.

2. Don’t press too lightly. You will know if you are pressing too lightly. You won’t hear the score being made in the glass and your score line will be very faint. If your score line is too faint it will be very difficult to break along the score line and this is especially true with thicker glass. The break may not follow the score line either.

A good score line is always visible and it will break easily. You need to use consistent pressure that is medium but firm at the same time. A pistol grip glass cutter can make this process easier and it is more ergonomic too. If you stand whilst making your score lines this can really help too.

3. Never re-score over a line. When you do this you can ruin your cutter very quickly and your glass might not break well either. When you re-score your glass in the same place the break will never be right.

4. Don’t run your glass cutter right off the edge of your glass. There is no need and it shortens the life span of your glass cutter which is as you know an expensive piece of equipment.

5. Don’t start your score line in the middle of the glass. You should always start your score line at one edge of the glass and end it at another edge. This may seem very obvious if you have been working with glass for some time but a beginner it is important to note.

Now that you know what not to do you can start cutting the perfect pieces for your fused glass art and jewellery.