Whether you are a seasoned professional or a novice hobbyist, a glass cutter is one of the most important tools to have in your collection. Almost every project that you undertake will involve using a glass cutter and the quality of which will greatly affect the final product. If you use a subpar glass cutter then you might have to spend more time finishing and fine tuning the piece.
If you are just starting off, it is recommended that your first few projects are made using pre-cut glass. Not to worry, you will be able to move on to cutting your own pieces so that you can have more creative freedom. No matter what, they are relatively inexpensive tools so it might not be a bad idea to pick one up sooner rather than later.
Read more below as we outline the different types of stained glass cutters and what to keep in mind when making your purchase. Different styles are used for different jobs, so it is important to know what to use and what to look for when equipping yourself to properly cut stained glass.
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Stained Glass Cutter Buyer’s Guide
While the name implies that it actually cuts glass, a glass cutter doesn’t do that in the traditional sense. Instead, it creates a very fine crack in the glass enabling it to break along the line, kind of like a fine perforation.
There are many different types of glass cutters each suited for different jobs. This means that you will have to buy several different types to have on hand when you are working with stained glass. The main things to keep in mind are the following:
Type of Handle
This dictates how much pressure to apply when using the glass cutter. Generally, the smaller the handle, the less pressure you should use when working with it.
Pencil grip is shaped like, you guessed it, a pencil. It is simple to use, just like its namesake. This style of glass cutter requires the least amount of pressure to be applied and comes in several different sizes, depending on the thickness of the glass that you are working on.
Custom grip glass cutters are similar but not to be confused with the above mentioned pencil grips. These have a small area for the thumb to rest on in order to apply a little more pressure. These are great if you have arthritis or have sustained injuries to your hand or joints.
Pistol grip glass cutters allow for the most pressure. By having a grip similar to a pistol, these let you use the strength in your palm to push harder. These are great for thicker pieces of glass and are also more comfortable and less stressful on your fingers.
Blade Material
Glass cutters can be made from a number of different materials ranging from steel and tungsten, all the way to diamond. The material that the blade is made of will affect the quality of the cut and how much smoothing that will need to be done when the cut is made. Cutting glass also can produce a lot of heat if you are using a power cutter. The best material to use in this situation would be tungsten or a diamond tipped blade.
Lubrication
In order to cut glass effectively, a special oil is applied to the surface. This oil reduces the friction caused by the blade to give you a cleaner cut so there will be less smoothing required later on. Keep your eye out for glass cutters that automatically lubricate the blade while cutting. These are very handy for doing two jobs at once.
Price
For such a specialized set of tools, it is surprising how inexpensive glass cutters are. Most of the best quality cutters are around $30. These often provide the most comfort and are made of better quality materials than their cheaper counterparts. While there might not be anything wrong with the cheaper ones, it is best to consider whether you will be replacing them as often as the more expensive tools.
Hopefully with the above information you will be able to make a more informed decision when purchasing your stained glass cutter. There are many different factors and elements at play when choosing glass cutters, so make sure that you do your homework and make the right purchase to help you create something unique and beautiful.
