How To Cut Glass With A Dremel (Step by Step Guide)
There are many reasons that people have for cutting glass. Reshaping mirrors and windowpanes, cutting bottles for craft projects, and etching designs into bottles, are just a few of the many reasons people have for cutting glass. No matter what reason you have to cut glass, there is one tool that can certainly help: a Dremel.
To cut glass with a Dremel use a Dremel bit that is specifically for cutting glass. The 545 Diamond Wheel is good for straight lines, and the 663DR bit is good for drilling holes in glass. Before cutting the glass, place tape along where you want to cut, draw an outline, and run the piece underwater as you cut.
Dremel rotary tools come with a range of useful attachments that help you take care of all your glass cutting needs. In this article, we will take you through the proper steps to cut your glass with a Dremel. This way you don’t run the risk of shattering it, and can successfully complete your project.
Related Content: Does Lowe’s Cut Glass? | Does Home Depot Cut Glass In Store?
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Safety First!
It is crucial to consider your safety when cutting glass in any circumstance. That is especially true when making your glass cuts with a handheld, high-powered rotary tool.
To cut glass, the bit on a Dremel tool must spin very fast – usually between 10,000 and 35,000 RPMs, depending on the speed setting that you have selected. As the bit is cutting through the glass, shards and glass dust shoot off from the cutting site at high speed, in the direction of the spinning Dremel bit.
Precautions
- Be sure to wear eye protection when cutting glass
- Wear a dust mask
- Be mindful of the direction that the glass-cutting bit is spinning
- Wear gloves to protect your hands in case of breakages
- Ensure that your workspace is free from debris
- Secure the glass before cutting
Setting Up Your Dremel To Cut Glass
To set up your Dremel to cut glass, the correct bit must be inserted. There are bits that are made to cut through a variety of materials. However, the bits designed for glass are the easiest to use and produce the best results.
Inserting the bit is a simple task. All that you need to do is insert the glass cutting bit into the Dremel. Once inserted, tighten the collet to secure the bit in place. Depending on the type of glass cutting job you have, the correct bit will vary.
Common Dremel Glass Cutting Bits
If you are cutting a straight line, a bit like the 545 Diamond Wheel is a perfect choice. The 545 Diamond Wheel has a thickness of .023” (0.6 mm) and a diameter of 22.2 mm. It is completely coated in diamond dust making it well suited to cutting through glass.
Doing projects involving cutting glass into new shapes, such as reforming mirrors for custom bathroom installations or creating DIY mosaics, calls for the wheel bit.
The 663DR 1/4″ Glass Drilling Bit is a popular choice for drilling holes in glass of all types. It comes in a variety of sizes as well. You can opt for the 1/4 in. size or the 1/8 in. size depending on the size hole you would like to drill.
For your engraving needs, a Dremel bit like the Dremel Fiber Bit, available at home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowes, is the best choice. The diamond particles that coat the engraving surface make this bit ideal for engraving hard surfaces.
How To Cut Glass With A Dremel
Depending on the cut that you are looking for, the method for cutting glass with a Dremel will vary slightly.
When using a wheel-style Dremel bit, the method would be very similar to cutting PVC pipes. The wheel spins at high RPMs and you must guide the side of the wheel along the line that you wish to cut. It is essential to hold the wheel very steady while doing your cut.
When using a hole cutter bit, the method will be similar to using a standard drill bit. However, the same precautions regarding heat management and safety that are true for cutting straight lines are true for drilling holes as well.
Step 1: Tape The Glass
Put masking tape along the line that you wish to cut. If you are cutting a bottle in half, reshaping a mirror, or anything in between, just be sure that the tape provides you with a good line guide to follow. Masking tape is great for this as it sticks great to the glass and when you remove it, it won’t leave a sticky residue.
Step 2: Draw The Lines
Use a marker to draw a line on the tape, indicating where you will make your cut. Be sure to use a waterproof marker for this step as there will be water involved with next step. It is also a good idea to allow the ink to dry completely.
Permanent markers are great for this as they won’t wash off under the water, and they dry relatively quickly.
Step 3: Run The Glass Under Water
Place the glass under a small stream of running water and slowly begin making your cut. The water will help maintain good temperatures while cutting. Water also makes the cutting task go smoother and faster.
If you are using a corded Dremel, it is crucial that you keep the Dremel tool at an angle that does not allow water to drip onto the cord.
Step 4: File Away
After you have successfully made your cut, there will be a rough edge on the glass that will likely be very sharp in some places. Use a diamond file, 80-grit sandpaper bit, or a 80-grit piece of sandpaper (wear gloves!) to smooth the freshly cut edges on the glass.
When you’re sanding or filing, make sure you don’t press too hard. If you drive the file in too hard, then you run the risk of cracking the glass or potentially breaking it. Of course, this is what you’ve been avoiding the whole time so be as gentle with filing as you were with cutting.
Video: Here’s How to Do It
A Dremel Can Still Shatter Your Glass
While you’re working through these steps, it’s important that you’re as gentle as you can be. The vibrations of the Dremel can affect the glass, which is why tape around the area is also a great idea. Plus, keeping the glass at a certain temperature will help as well with the risk of breaking. For instance, you never want to try to Dremel into the cold glass as it’s even more fragile.
Furthermore, you don’t want to press too hard. if you pop a hole and the Dremel catches on a glass shard, it can end up cracking the rest of the glass throughout. That’s why it’s important you go slow.
Related Questions
What Dremel bit do I use to cut glass?
The type of Dremel bit you should use to cut glass depends on the type of cut you would like to do. When you want to make a straight or curved cut in a plane of glass, such as a mirror or windowpane, a diamond wheel bit is a good choice.
To drill a hole in a piece of glass, glass tile, or any other similar material, using a diamond coated drilling bit is the best choice.
What is the best tool for cutting glass?
There are many tools that can be used to cut glass. Ranging from grinding wheels, to string, to bits and wheels specifically designed for cutting glass, options available are as diverse as the reasons people have for cutting glass in the first place.
Among the tools available for cutting glass, Dremel glass cutting bits are among the best choices that are available.
How can I cut glass at home without a glass cutter?
If you do not have a glass cutter, you can use a Dremel with a designated glass cutting tip to cut glass at home. If you do not have a Dremel, there are also some other ways to cut glass at home.
Using a string soaked in a flammable substance and then tied around a bottle is a common example. To effectively use a string to cut a bottle all you need to do is tie it around the bottle, light the string on fire, let the string burn away, then place the hot bottle into cold water.
How do you carve glass with a Dremel?
Carving glass with a Dremel is easy to do. As with other glass cutting tasks, success often lies with the tool that is selected. To carve glass with a Dremel, there are a variety of diamond-coated bits that you can use. The Dremel Fiber Bit has a small tip and is always a great choice.
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Our Takeaway
You can cut glass with a Dremel, however, you want to take your time, and do it gently to reduce the risk of breaking the glass. Furthermore, you will also need to use some tape and water to keep the glass in perfect shape to withstand the Dremel. As with all DIY projects, be careful!
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