How to Cut Glass for a Custom Picture Frame

Every now and then you find an amazing picture frame that has no glass because it has either broken or it just didn't come with one. So now is the time to learn how to do it yourself. With a few simple directions you can become a master at creating cut glass on your own.

Steps

  1. Image titled Cut Glass for a Custom Picture Frame Step 1
    1
    Make sure that your glass cutter is new and sharp. The glass cutter actually scores along the line of molecules.
  2. Image titled Cut Glass for a Custom Picture Frame Step 2
    2
    Lubricate your glass cutter with oil. Most oils will work. Motor oil, sewing machine oil, or stove oil will work fine.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Cut Glass for a Custom Picture Frame Step 3
    3
    Make a straight edge that you can control. Making sure that it doesn't move will ensure that you have a clean cut.
  4. Image titled Cut Glass for a Custom Picture Frame Step 4
    4
    Measure the inside of your picture frame. So you know the exact size of glass you need to cut.
  5. Image titled Cut Glass for a Custom Picture Frame Step 5
    5
    Place the glass on a hard surface. When cutting your glass place it on a hard surface. This way your glass will be easy to clean up in case your glass doesn't break right.
  6. Image titled Cut Glass for a Custom Picture Frame Step 6
    6
    Score the glass. Make sure when scoring your glass with your glass cutter that you don't take it off of the glass. If this happens you will not get a good score and this will result in bumps on your glass.
  7. Image titled Cut Glass for a Custom Picture Frame Step 7
    7
    Make your hairline cut. Once your hairline cut is made on your glass, it will be easy to snap this off at the cut.
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    What is the oil used for?
    T. Chinsen
    T. Chinsen
    Top Answerer
    The oil lubricates the glass cutter. If the cutter does not run smoothly in scoring the glass, the line will not be straight. With glass it is not possible to erase the line, so there is only one chance to get it right.
  • Question
    How do I snap the glass?
    T. Chinsen
    T. Chinsen
    Top Answerer
    Place the scored glass line over a straight edge, or on the edge of a steep surface. Keep one side of the scored glass is on a flat surface. Give a sharp tap on the scored line. This will cause the glass to break along the line. Some people will tap the line against the edge of a table to break it off.
Advertisement

Warnings

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Picture Frame
  • Glass Cutter
  • Gloves
  • Protective Eye wear
  • Ruler
  • Tape Measure - if you don't have a ruler
  • Lubrication

You Might Also Like

Transfer an Image Onto Glass
How to
Transfer an Image Onto Glass
Cut Wine Bottles for Crafts
How to
Cut Wine Bottles for Crafts
Make Glass
How to
Make Glass
Identify Waterford Crystal
How to
Identify Waterford Crystal
How to
Glue Glass
Smooth Glass Edges
How to
Smooth Glass Edges
Melt Glass Bottles
How to
Melt Glass Bottles
Identify Fenton Glass
How to
Identify Fenton Glass
Cut Plexiglass
How to
Cut Plexiglass
Paint Glass Ornaments
How to
Paint Glass Ornaments
Drill Holes Through Glass
How to
Drill Holes Through Glass
Fiberglass
How to
Fiberglass
How to
Dye Glass
Gelcoat Fiberglass
How to
Gelcoat Fiberglass
Advertisement

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 27,968 times.
3 votes - 67%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: November 29, 2020
Views: 27,968
Categories: Working with Glass
Advertisement