Tips for cutting a 4'' hole through single pane window

[Will Mcloughlin]

Ok, so any tips on cutting a 4 inch hole through a single pane window??
Buy a diamond tip Blade, Hole cutter?
Hire / Buy?
Cheers Will

 

[dan86]

just buy a diamond hole cutter. shouldn't be too expensive

 

[HandySparks]

Get your local glass supplier to cut you a replacement pane with hole already cut. Or maybe get them to do it in situ.

 

[iamelectric]

dont do it

 

[dan86]

yeah, do that instead! ^^^

 

[londonfire]

I got a right chewing from the missus for trying to cut large glass tiles the other day with a diamond blade on a grinder. I would go with a specialist!

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Hahaha don't do it I tried it in a **** it moment and smashed a full window!!!

 

[Broken handle]

Last time I had to do this I went to a specialist glazier and watched him break two pieces before getting it right on the third one - not even easy for the specialist!

 

[Guest111]

the way to do it is with a circular glass cutter,use this to make the required sized score then score across the inside of the circle in a criss cross pattern using a glass cutter,then start to tap out the pieces from the centre.
Vitrex Circular Brass Glass Cutter | NoLinkingToThis

 

[GLENNSPARK]

rite...

well for a start you dont want a diamond tip cutter as they dont go round corners very well...

you want a decent wheel cutter....

what you does is you plot the centre....then cut a template out of paper/card and place that where you want the hole...draw around it...then you get a smaller template...about half size will do and place that in the same place as the larger templatre...again draw around it

what you should have now is 2 circles roughly parrallel with each other...using the wheel cutter you (carefully) go round the 2 lines you have drawn....

then you link the 2 lines at regular intervals (again with the glasscutter)....

you will find that with care you can then tap the pieces out with the back of the glasscutter...

seeemples..

 

[HandySparks]

If you really want to do it yourself, then one of these is the tool:

Vitrex Circular Brass Glass Cutter | NoLinkingToThis

 

[PEG]

Glen has the method,but if it is in position and/or old,you will need a lot of luck.

 

[uksparks]

Ok, so any tips on cutting a 4 inch hole through a single pane window??
Buy a diamond tip Blade, Hole cutter?
Hire / Buy?
Cheers Will

Tip No.1: Cover the window first in cello tape, this will make it easier to pick the bits up when you break the glass!

 

[cloverman]

Personally speaking I would replace the single pane glass with one already done! It's cheap and less hassle !

 

[GLENNSPARK]

and dont forget that any little bits that stick out after cutting and thus preventing the fan or whatever from fitting properly can be removed carefully with some pliers to kind of "nibble" away at the glass.

its a method used by glaziers and them involved with stained glass and is called grozing

you can buy special grozing pliers but they are expensive and would be largely pointless just for one use only...

 

[uksparks]

I cut about 6 1 inch holes in a fish tank once and a couple of 3" holes in another, sounds bad but I used a dremel and a stone grinding bit thing on the end with the hose pipe on it. Gave me a perfect hole with smooth edges.

 

[PEG]

I cut about 6 1 inch holes in a fish tank once and a couple of 3" holes in another, sounds bad but I used a dremel and a stone grinding bit thing on the end with the hose pipe on it. Gave me a perfect hole with smooth edges.

Finally,i have a name to give crimewatch regarding those un-solved guppy thefts at Pets-at-home.....

 

[HandySparks]

Finally,i have a name to give crimewatch regarding those un-solved guppy thefts at Pets-at-home.....

I recon the 3" holes were for something a bit bigger. :smiley2: