Technical Chopped windshield help

Hey guys, I need a little help here. I just finished the shop on my 54 bel air and need to cut my windshield down. I've already been through the original and a second one without any luck. I've watched all the YouTube videos, tried the glass cutter method, order some glass cutting discs for an angle grinder (those seem to work on the test glass) but I'd rather not have to keep buying windshields, haha.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

Make a template of the cut you want.....take it with another windshield to an auto glass shop.

 

.... and they will attempt the cutting, but will most likely not take any responsibility for failures.

 

Guess that's a possibility.....but if I'd went through the original and a spare myself, I'd sure check on having it done at a shop. I would have no hesitation with my glass guy.

 

Cut the glass first then fit the metal to the glass.

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...her-glass-update-with-new-windshield.1228814/

 

There’s a sandblasting alternative to cutting. I believe you duct tape what you’re keeping and cut the exposed with the sandblaster.

 

I have a buddy that chopped his car and “Sunk” the glass into the dash/firewall. That way he could get a replacement glass installed should the windscreen be broken. It may not work in all situations but it’s did on his square body Chevy pu.

 

Like @BJR said, the glass should have been cut first, then you build the metal around it.

Do you have any pics to share so we get get a better idea of exactly what is not working out?

 

I agree totally with your suggestion to take it to a professional. That is really good advice.
I also think that most "glass guys" will not cover the cost of a failure while doing this sort of job.
How do I know this...??? I am one of them-there glass guys you speak of.

 

I don't think this would be a good method. Maybe an abrasive water-jet would be a better idea....
And all of this is****uming it is laminated annealed glass. If it is toughened or tempered glass, forget it.

 

I watched the local glass guy cut the originl windshield for a 1950 Mercury, it came out perfect, a few weeks later he was cutting a windshield for a 52 Chevy custom, he broke the original windshield he also broke the second & third, he finally succeeded with the forth one and yes the customer had to pay for all of them, that was made clear before he cut the first one. HRP

 

Yeah, agree.....experienced shop. My guy specializes in customs and hot rods....I'm spoiled.

 

BTW, I was in the picture frame business for more than 40 years and cut plate glass,mirror and automotive flat glass for friends, one of the guys that I cut flat automotive glass for was replacing his curved windshield and gave me his old one to see if I could cut it, I didn't have anything to lose so I tried my luck, my first and second cut went better than I expected but the third cut the glass cracked when I tried to snap the excess. HRP

 

Glass can be a fickle mistress, especially older glass. It gets more and more brittle with age.

 

I’ve cut several doing the cut off wheel method, use plenty of lubricantion like pb blaster or something similar. , bump the cit off wheel. If you hold it to long or two fast the glass will glow orange then it will crack, if it starts to glow though. Stop. ,keep flipping it over back and forth. Be patient it’s time me consuming. , but it works

 

save yourself grief! cause ur not gonna save urself $$$ and take the job to a glassman.

 

This is from a post on All Metal Shapers Forum from Jim Slabe who had to cut an MGB windscreen.

I found a glass guy in Vista (about 20 miles away) who cuts windshields for chopped cars all the time, he has been doing it since 1965. Just the kind of experience I was looking for. I took the windshield in to him at lunch today and he had the needed 3/8" sanded off in less than 10 minutes and I was on my way. He had a big 4" wide vertical belt sander that ran in water with rollers in front so he could roll glass back and forth and keep control. I wish I had my camera with me. When I got home it was really hot but I wanted to see it in the frame and in the car. I installed the rubber on the glass and then mixed up a batch of Dawn and water. Once everything was nice and slippery I could gently press the frame over the glass. When I tried the bottom rail I discovered that it didn't want to go on in a couple places. I measured the width of the slot and found it to be too narrow in a few areas and I will have to massage them out. Not tonight though, did I mention it was hot.

Doesn't sound too hard to replicate.

 

Thanks for all of the opinions and advice. I would happily take it to a glass guy if there was one who was willing to cut it, that's not an option here, none of them cut curved glass anymore. My attempts to cut it were not to cut cost but out of necessity.

Thanks for the help and please keep it coming.

 

Linishing (or sanding) versus cutting............... big difference.

 

what neck of the woods are you in..? I'm sure someone on here knows of a glassman that can cut your curved windshield...

 

I'm in Virginia and so far the closest I've found is out in Riverside hahah

 

Try contacting***** Rodwell in Salt Lake who makes the Wanless laid back windshield for a 32 Ford. If I remember he has a glass shop that makes 2 of his windshield glass's out of 1 early 50's Chevy windshield. Maybe his glass cutter could give you a few pointers?

 

Might be worth contacting......it's a little less than 200 miles from Richmond. My guy is 160 miles. Good luck on whichever way you go.

 

I've talked to these guys and they were the closest I've gotten. I'll have to circle back to them

 

Where in Virginia are you?

 

Good evening. Just got my windshield and side glasses done..56 Mercury Monterey 4dr sedan..3 windshields cracked..The corners are the hardest because that's where the stress is. My buddy in Smithfield Virginia did mine

 

Richmond

 

Try bobs classic auto glass. I bet he’ll make you one instead of you buying and cutting. I’ve been to his place and ordered class. The set up is no joke and the fit was perfect. Really nice guy too.
https://bobsclassicautoglass.com/contact-us/

 

On Bobs web site it states that they do not cut curved glass, just flat glass.