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Posted by Chriscase on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 09:55:14 :
In Reply to: Glass question posted by copey on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 05:29:31 :
You need flat laminated glass, which is not so easy to find. It's not used for side windows for the last 40 years. The only things it's used for anymore are windshields on motorhomes, and trucks like step vans.
Score both sides with a glass cutter, pop the glass, bend it a slight bit, and cut the plastic inner layer with a knife. Then cut miters on the 'round' corners, and use a crescent wrench to pop the little bits. Use a wet grinder to smooth the corners and edges. I used a diamond wheel on my carbide grinder- the flat disc wheel. A round wheel would do a better job on the edges, but I didn't have one. So it made some little chips in places. You have to keep it wet and cool, or it flakes out. Don't push hard, let the grits do their work.
I've heard that after scoring and popping, some guys squirt a bit of lighter fluid on the line and light it, the heat softens the plastic layer. But one major problem with the laminated stuff is the bubbling around the edges, that I blame on too much stretching to cut the plastic. I don't know if heat would be better or worse for that. And you wouldn't know for 30 years.
Be sure to lay out your patterns so that your windows will re-use the etched certification where it is visible. Some jurisdictions require it for inspections. More important on windshields, I figure the laminations can be seen on the edges where visible.
I made my side windows and vent wings, about 20 minutes each. And my back window from some wire-reinforced stuff, though it isn't laminated. But I like the industrial look.
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