Any glass cutters in here?

I guess I really don't even need a glass cutter, just somebody who knows more than I do which is probably most of you guys. It's kind of a long annoying story, but I have these three super cheap thin glass globes that I need to shave a lip off of. I need them to sit flush inside the housing and this tiny lip is in the way. I called a few local glass companies and they want way too much money, but one of them told me to try using sandpaper. I tried it but it seems to be taking absolutely forever so I'm just wondering if I could try a Dremel on a super low speed as to not crack the glass.

 

I know it's not the same kind of glass as you're used to working with but do you have any insight into this, @DLRIII?

 

I know less than nothing but my gut is telling me that a faster speed and less pressure would probably have less chance of damage if you decide to go the Dremel route. And use a respirator and goggles.

 

My concern would be the heat generated by grinding. Uneven heat would crack the glass. Keep the glass cool.

OP, what are you trying to accomplish? It may be easier to modify the other part(s).

 

The way we cut glass where I work is with an abrasive blade cooled with a water jet, similar to a tile saw. Without something like a saw like I described or a lapping table (large rotating abrasive disc with water jet) you'll have to make do. It needs to be cooled/lubricated by water while you cut or grind it down or it will likely chip or crack. Wet sanding will get it there, just slowly. I've never tried anything like an orbital sander or a belt sander but I could see that working if you can find a way to wet the grinding surface some.

 

Also, interestingly what you've got there looks just like a boiling flask with the neck cut off. I'd be curious what you're going to do with it after you get the neck ground down.

 

Dremel. Or equivalent

Diamond grit mini drum (well actually the larger on the 2-3 cylindrical heads). Wet. Build a slurry at the cutting surface. Not too fast, not too slow. The slurry of diamond grit and glass will remove material.



Be careful.

Gonna take awhile, that's why they wanted big $

 

That's what I've been trying to do now, was modify the other part but I don't think it's possible. I accidentally broke one of these glass globes from my roommates fancy lamp. And it's ridiculous, but pottery Barn does not sell the glass separately whatsoever and it is a very odd size. This is the closest thing I could find and it came from lowe's, it's a very cheap thin glass but it fits in the old lamp housing other than it won't sit flush because of the little glass lip. I was thinking of using some kind of spacer between the glass and the housing but if I could take down the glass it would be the best way.

 

No, it's a glass globe made for a lamp, at least that's how Lowe's sells it.

 

Damn. I was just hoping for a super quick fix so I can get this stupid lamp out of my house , it turned into a disaster. And thank you for the info, I was just going to use a Dremel with a regular sanding bit.

 

Thanks for the info, I had never even thought about it being wet. It's definitely some super cheap, thin glass so I feel like anything I do is going to chip it. I was just going to try a Dremel low and slow.

 

How in Rudy's name is it held in?

 

Can you modify the lamp base instead of the globe?

 

There is a separate piece that screws it down and just clamps the glass.

 

That's what I was trying to do yesterday but it's literally just a flat piece so I don't see how.

 

That one is the original globe which sits flush against the circular base and is much more high quality glass, but of course they don't sell replacements at all. They want me to buy a new lamp at over 200 bucks.

 

Ugg. Go thru the manufacturer, not the retailer

 

Post a picture of the roommate. TW will advise if you replace the lamp or the roommate.

e.g Replace the lamp.



Replace the roommate.

 

She's gone anyway, moved out a while ago but the lamp stayed behind and I ended up breaking it.