Cutting Glass with a Diamond Saw

Throughout glass history, workers have needed to saw pieces of glass cleanly. Using string and gritty mud-like slurry, ancient Egyptians and Greeks, for example, spent days accomplishing what the modern electric diamond saw does in seconds.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Corning Museum of Glass
• glassmaking processes
• corning
• glass
• museum
• newyork
• NY
• glassmaking
• makeglass
• diamond saw
• cutting glass
• 82.4.8

[corningmuseumofglass]

Unlike a woodworking blade, diamond saw blades don't have teeth. They can scratch their way through dense things very well, but not soft things-think finger nail vs. flesh. You can touch them while they're running, but only for a few seconds, otherwise you get burned from the friction. In general, they are a very safe tool. The most dangerous part of the process is usually the glass you are holding, which if it breaks wrong, can be quite sharp. A little care and patience is all you need.

[corningmuseumofglass]

Good observation. That's always a good idea when working with power tools. These videos are mostly meant to help people understand the processes. Don't try this at home unless you know what you're doing.

[CTmera]

idk about sharpest, but there is a man-made substance harder than diamonds

ultrahard fullerite

i think thats the name of it... i forget

[Eh302]

wouldnt the glass saw; i dont know; HURT YOUR HANDS???

[MessivoKaxto]

I used to cut flagstone with diamond saw, they are sharp, in stone. I heard they wont cut you if you touch the blade. I havent tried it

[petrino]

no.. lightsabers are...

[alexmini123]

are diamond saws the sharpest thin in the world

[fjl05]

Far as I remember from shop class and working with grinders is that you never wears gloves cause the material can easily get caught in the machine obviously making mince meat of your hand. I've accidentally touched a moving wheel and nothing happens. It's only if you leave your finger there long enough will it cause damage. It's basically really fine sandpaper and that takes a while to cause damage to the skin even at the high speeds those wheels travel.

[shawnaw2]

hm mayby cos the particles can be sharp just like diamond dust

[dlongmu]

I dont think safety gear would protect you much from a diamond bit/saw though :(

[ibo2147]

mistake, lungs