More windshield cutting/chopping/trimming

I've been reading the various posts concerning cutting laminated glass, because my bullet nose studebaker is going to need a windshield soon. For what it's worth, I spoke to a guy in Kentucky, who said he could cut any type of windshield glass for my Studebaker, but the downside, was he wanted $1500.00.

The wife and I were at Lowe's the other day, and I ran across a wet-saw for tile for $80.00. I bought it and tried it on a sample of laminated glass today. WOW!!! Worked great!! Yea, you get a bit wet, but it cuts like butter, and it's actually a quick cut. The saw looks like a minature skill saw, with an attachment for a garden hose. It makes a clean cut (will still need the edges sanded) without splintering. Also has a laser beam to help you stay on your marked line.

There you have it. I figure that I can do my windshield in a few hours at most (taking my time, etc.), then have the local glass shop sand the edges. I'm sure with curved glass, i'm going to have to take it slower than I did with my flat "test piece". My test piece was a 14" straight cut, which took less than a minute to do. This saw seems to be very forgiving. Stu

 

Keep the saw as flat to the glass as posible, even a small lean will break the glass like a wedge. Don't ask why I know.!!......OLDBEET

 

aren't windshields tempered glass and not laminated?? I think it's a differant process between the two.

 

If it was that easy everyone would be doing it.

 

Keep us updated! Somehow I think it's not as easy as it looks...

 

Windshields are "laminated" i.e., a layer of plastic between two layers of glass, for safety purposes. Tempered glass will "explode" rather than crack or break. Typically, tempered glass (side glass, and rear windows) doesn't want, or "like" to be cut, because it will turn into "popcorn" glass.

Older cars with flat glass, is usually all laminated and can be cut by various means. Stu

 

hells yeah! lets us know how the curved glass works out. i gotta cut the windshield for the 53 before long......

 

Keep us posted, I gotta get my front glass cut very soon.

 

post some pics when you cut a curved piece

 

There was a young lady on teh hAMB who cut her own windshield with an angle grinder and a very thin cut off wheel....

Worked great..think it was a 53 or so Chevvie..

-Abone.