Preferred gauge glass cutter
Just curious what your preferred gauge glass cutter is.I use this one but see other ones on the market that are smaller.
Boiler Lessons
Comments
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I use one of these: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Wal-rich-1801006-1-4-Turn-Gauge-Glass-Cutter, works fine. I tried one of these: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Wal-rich-1801000-Tong-Type-Guage-Glass-Cutter, but it can't cut over 7", so I had to send it back.
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That's a nice one. I'm not sure when to squeeze the handle together after etching. Every once in a while, the glass cracks.
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Cutting gauge glass is always hit or miss. Better bring extras is all I can say. I always thought the one pictured was for cutting porcelain insulators.
never liked the tong type but that's what I had for many years.
The WalRich 1801006 is what I have now.
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shouldn't tubing break cleanly if you nick it with a file then bend it away at the nick?
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Nolo Contendre Ray...that's the easiest and fastest one that I have found. Rex Wheeler...I call it my mini snap cutter. Mad Dog
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The way I did my last one was I cut it and it ended up a hair too long. I used the same cutter @EBEBRATT-Ed has.
I then used a belt sander to remove a decent amount, maybe 1/8". It sands down clean and fast, but probably isn't the best thing for the belt.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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The first time I did one, I was a first year apprentice. The journeyman said to use a file. I broke two of them before he pulled out the gauge glass cutter. He said he was trying to show the old timers ways.LOL
Ray Wohlfarth
Boiler Lessons0 -
"should" is carrying a lot of weight here 😅
NJ Steam Homeowner.
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I had them all , I comfortable for ,at least for 25 years with the "W" shape one .. Yes just a small cut , like a file and just snap.. I had the snap ring type for awhile. The snap ring type is vary good for cutting porcelain. I used that type back in the day with the old different models in the field . I started with the one that scored the inside ..Works better on the outside …
If I go back into the job with one stick , I get a bad break..I must be cursed :)
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Thia is the way it works for me. Bring a spare glass and you won't need it the first cut will be good. Don' t bring a spare and the first one will shatter.
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the file probably works better on long lengths than on trying to cut an inch off an already cut length. there is always a diamond blade on a grinder or even a dremel.
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I have had some better luck with this one, but I can't say why.
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Agree 1" you will break a few . I would score a few points around and tap , let the crack find its way around…
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I’ve been cutting the larger glass tube, up to 1-1/4” for my display wall with a diamond wheel in a 4-1/2” angle grinder.
Hold the tube tightly in a wood block or some jig.
A small bench belt sander to clean up the sharp edge
The tube I buy online has the ends flame polished, I have not tried that method
Glass blowers use a flame to smooth the ends and edges.
Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream0 -
we played with glass tubing in high school chemistry. fire polishing it is really easy, just heat the end of it with a torch. we used a bunsen burner but a propane torch will work too.
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Thats some great tips Thanks I will have to try heating it with a torch. Thanks
Ray Wohlfarth
Boiler Lessons0 -
Are the tubes just plain glass or are they some sort of technical glass like pyrex/borosilicate?
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Isn't that the first thing you should've asked? 😉
I think the replacements I bought were labeled Duran, and I think they're borosilicate.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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I'm not sure if it actually matters in cutting or fire polishing other than it is harder to break with thermal shock but I didn't think of it until now. I don't know if the lab glass we were using was plain glass or technical glass. I know that glassblowers that make lab glassware use borosilicate glass.
apparently duran is the german pyrex.
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I tried many different gage glass cutters in my time doing boiler work. All of them had their advantages and disadvantages. Most of the time I used a chain cutter which worked 90% of the time. When you are dealing with low pressure steam which is 15PSIG and below it probably doesn't matter which cutter you use. just make sure that the cut is clean. Most jobs I did had some type of gauge glass protector to guard against gauge glass breakage.
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I used a cutter like INTPLM for 30 years. Loved it! Could not find replacement wheel so I got a porcelain cutter like Ray's. Works well but don't squeeze too hard or CRACK!
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I have found the red and white striped ones harder to cut. Must be the painted stripes.
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High pressure glass ..I guess thicker..
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Yes you can get HP gauge glass, and it is much thicker
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I would think the score with a file and snap would actually work much better on that.
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Ernst Company in NJ sells all kinds of gauge glass and valves.
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