Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire How Do You Grind Glass?

Print Thread

Hop To

Page 2 of 2

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? simonkenton7 #14585792 02/19/20
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 69,329 Filer, ID Rock Chuck Campfire Kahuna
Rock Chuck Campfire Kahuna Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 69,329 Filer, ID	My wife does art glass. For this, she'd use a Dremel and a diamond bit. KEEP IT WET or it'll overheat and could shatter. A 2d person constantly squirting water on it is all you need. “In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.

GB1

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? Cheesy #14585877 02/19/20
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,319 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis Campfire Tracker
Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,319 Eastern N.C.	Originally Posted by Cheesy Originally Posted by Triggernosis Don't sand it, don't grind it. Instead, take a propane or MAPP gas torch (a mini torch would work perfect) and heat it until the glass starts to melt - it will smooth right out. It should only take about 15-30 seconds of direct heat. Then cut the flame and let it cool naturally at room temperature. Seriously, it will work like a charm. That's how we "polished" the ends of glass rod and tubing in the chemistry lab, except we usually used alcohol burners instead of torches. That’s the first thing I thought of as well. It WILL work, I promise. I can do it quicker, and better that way in less time than it would take me to set up my Dremel.

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? Poconojack #14585883 02/19/20
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,319 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis Campfire Tracker
Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,319 Eastern N.C.	Originally Posted by Poconojack Originally Posted by Cheesy Originally Posted by Triggernosis Don't sand it, don't grind it. Instead, take a propane or MAPP gas torch (a mini torch would work perfect) and heat it until the glass starts to melt - it will smooth right out. It should only take about 15-30 seconds of direct heat. Then cut the flame and let it cool naturally at room temperature. Seriously, it will work like a charm. That's how we "polished" the ends of glass rod and tubing in the chemistry lab, except we usually used alcohol burners instead of torches. That’s the first thing I thought of as well. Wouldn’t this subject the glass to severe thermal shock? Only if you dunk it in water to cool it. It's how it's done every day in chemistry labs throughout the world. Do you think I pulled this method out of my a$$? Last edited by Triggernosis; 02/19/20.

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? Triggernosis #14585969 02/19/20
Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 3,327 The swamps of SW Wyoming B BayouRover Campfire Tracker
BayouRover Campfire Tracker B Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 3,327 The swamps of SW Wyoming	Originally Posted by Triggernosis Originally Posted by Poconojack Originally Posted by Cheesy Originally Posted by Triggernosis Don't sand it, don't grind it. Instead, take a propane or MAPP gas torch (a mini torch would work perfect) and heat it until the glass starts to melt - it will smooth right out. It should only take about 15-30 seconds of direct heat. Then cut the flame and let it cool naturally at room temperature. Seriously, it will work like a charm. That's how we "polished" the ends of glass rod and tubing in the chemistry lab, except we usually used alcohol burners instead of torches. That’s the first thing I thought of as well. Wouldn’t this subject the glass to severe thermal shock? Only if you dunk it in water to cool it. It's how it's done every day in chemistry labs throughout the world. Do you think I pulled this method out of my a$$? Maybe........... It's official. I missed the selfie deadline so I'm Maser's sock puppet because rene and the Polish half of the fubar twins have decided that I am. ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ μολὼν λαβέ

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? BayouRover #14586083 02/19/20
Joined: May 2010 Posts: 7,349 The West Mountain P Poconojack Campfire Tracker
Poconojack Campfire Tracker P Joined: May 2010 Posts: 7,349 The West Mountain	Originally Posted by BayouRover Originally Posted by Triggernosis Originally Posted by Poconojack Originally Posted by Cheesy Originally Posted by Triggernosis Don't sand it, don't grind it. Instead, take a propane or MAPP gas torch (a mini torch would work perfect) and heat it until the glass starts to melt - it will smooth right out. It should only take about 15-30 seconds of direct heat. Then cut the flame and let it cool naturally at room temperature. Seriously, it will work like a charm. That's how we "polished" the ends of glass rod and tubing in the chemistry lab, except we usually used alcohol burners instead of torches. That’s the first thing I thought of as well. Wouldn’t this subject the glass to severe thermal shock? Only if you dunk it in water to cool it. It's how it's done every day in chemistry labs throughout the world. Do you think I pulled this method out of my a$$? Maybe........... Huge difference in the thermal properties of the borosilicate and quartz glassware used in modern chemistry laboratories and the glass used in 19th Century decorative glassware. "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson

IC B2

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? simonkenton7 #14586143 02/19/20
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 69,329 Filer, ID Rock Chuck Campfire Kahuna
Rock Chuck Campfire Kahuna Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 69,329 Filer, ID	Before you put that kind of heat on it, you'd better know what you're doing. You could shatter the handle. A little touch up with a wet diamond grinder is quick, easy, and safe. “In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? Poconojack #14586408 02/19/20
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 86,187 In the shadow of the Kenai Mtn... ironbender Campfire Oracle
ironbender Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 86,187 In the shadow of the Kenai Mtn...	Originally Posted by Poconojack Originally Posted by Cheesy Originally Posted by Triggernosis Don't sand it, don't grind it. Instead, take a propane or MAPP gas torch (a mini torch would work perfect) and heat it until the glass starts to melt - it will smooth right out. It should only take about 15-30 seconds of direct heat. Then cut the flame and let it cool naturally at room temperature. Seriously, it will work like a charm. That's how we "polished" the ends of glass rod and tubing in the chemistry lab, except we usually used alcohol burners instead of torches. That’s the first thing I thought of as well. Wouldn’t this subject the glass to severe thermal shock? This is likely soda lime glass - plain, ordinary, glass. Laboratory glass is borosilicate glass and has much better thermal shock resistance. The lamp will almost certainly crack/shatter with the application of a torch. If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. --Pat Parelli American by birth; Alaskan by choice. --ironbender

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? simonkenton7 #14586441 02/19/20
Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 14,206 Marshall NC S simonkenton7 OP Campfire Outfitter
OP simonkenton7 Campfire Outfitter S Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 14,206 Marshall NC	As best I can figure this lamp was made about 1890. It says on the glass ACME trade mark LEAD-FLINT. I think they added lead and flint to the glass in those days. Also says MADE IN THE US of AMERICA.

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? simonkenton7 #14586506 02/19/20
Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 29,851 Burns/Hines, Oregon, USA 1minute Campfire Ranger
1minute Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 29,851 Burns/Hines, Oregon, USA	I'd side with leaving as is. The grind is the easy part. Polishing even with the surrounding terrain is the challenge. 1Minute

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? 1minute #14586675 02/19/20
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 69,329 Filer, ID Rock Chuck Campfire Kahuna
Rock Chuck Campfire Kahuna Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 69,329 Filer, ID	Originally Posted by 1minute I'd side with leaving as is. The grind is the easy part. Polishing even with the surrounding terrain is the challenge. The sharp edge is inside the top of the handle. There wouldn't be any need to polish it unless it has a high collector value. Just smooth off the sharp ridge a little. “In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.

IC B3

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? simonkenton7 #14586727 02/19/20
Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 18 C Cal H New Member
Cal H New Member C Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 18	I would try polishing with cerium oxide polishing compound. This is what glass working shops and mirror plants use. Keep the glass wet with the polishing compound and take your time, it will work fine, put a torch on 1890s glass and it will probably explode. Amazon has cerium oxide powder. I'm not an expert but I worked in the mirror industry as a chemist for a while. Cerium Oxide actually has a solvent effect on glass.

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? simonkenton7 #14586759 02/19/20
Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 17,094 OldmanoftheSea Campfire Ranger
OldmanoftheSea Campfire Ranger Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 17,094	What Cal-H said. Cerium oxide is the paste/abrasive I was thinking of.... Having cracked more than one item trying to heat polish a sharp edge thinking I could treat it like lab glass. I would stay away from the torch. Differential heating is a pain in the tookis.. and the more complex the shape, the harder to control predict. Just when you think you did ok it starts to cool and then craack... whoops Last edited by OldmanoftheSea; 02/19/20. Reason: Auto incorrect -OMotS "If memory serves fails me..." Quote: ( unnamed) "been prtty deep in the cooler todaay " Television and radio are most effective when people question little and think even less.

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? simonkenton7 #14586857 02/19/20
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,319 Eastern N.C. Triggernosis Campfire Tracker
Triggernosis Campfire Tracker Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,319 Eastern N.C.	Don't effing polish it! Just hit it with a torch for 20 seconds and you're done!

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? simonkenton7 #14586955 02/19/20
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,099 NC K kelbro Campfire Regular
kelbro Campfire Regular K Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,099 NC	You could wear gloves if it hurts that much.

Re: How Do You Grind Glass? simonkenton7 #14587005 02/19/20
Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 14,206 Marshall NC S simonkenton7 OP Campfire Outfitter
OP simonkenton7 Campfire Outfitter S Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 14,206 Marshall NC	Thanks for all the advice. I am a log builder I have thousands of dollars of tools. I have 2 of the 7 inch disc grinders, a DeWalt and a Makita. I have a real nice Makita belt sander. All kinds of expensive drills etc etc. But I don't have a dremel tool. Never used one. I went down to Lowes and bought this dremel grinding stone for $3.50. It fit right in to my DeWalt cordless drill. This thing worked great! I knocked out that little rim in about 7 minutes. Thanks for all the advice. I did buy some 80 grit and 120 grit sandpaper and was going to wrap it around the ramrod to my Kentucky rifle, and duct tape it on. But it didn't come to that the home-made dremel tool did the job. Easy.

Page 2 of 2

Moderated by RickBin

Link Copied to Clipboard

AX24

638 members (10Glocks, 01Foreman400, 17Hunter, 007FJ, 1936M71, 10gaugeman, 61 invisible), 2,644 guests, and 1,323 robots.

Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod

April
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30

Forum Statistics

Forums81

Topics1,191,602

Posts18,473,637

Members73,941

Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023