3 Easy Solutions to Glass Cutting Without a Cutter: Learn How to Do It Quickly and Safely

Using glass is so versatile and easy to work with, so it’s no wonder it is used in many craft and home projects. That said, it can be difficult to find the right tools to effectively cut and shape glass. A glass cutter is often one of the more underrated tools and you might not have one lying around your home. The good news is that you don’t need a traditional glass cutter to get the job done; there are three easy methods that you can use with common household items to cut glass without a glass cutter.

String

This is perhaps the easiest method to cut glass without a glass cutter and should be done with caution and safety first in mind. Before you dive in, make sure to collect the appropriate safety supplies, such as goggles and gloves, for your protection. Then, grab a bucket of water big enough to dunk the glass down to your elbow. Tie a sturdy string around the glass along the line you intend to cut and be sure to make it nice and tight. Then, light the string on fire with a match and as soon as it’s lit, submerge the glass into the bucket of water. To finish the cut, take a stick and hit the glass under the cut section nice and firmly while it’s in the water. The combination of the heat from the burning string and the cold water should create a nice break along the line of the string.

Wire

Similar to the string method, not to mention cost-effective, you can use a wire to cut glass without a glass cutter. You will again need to put safety first and make sure to have a bucket of water that can handle the entire piece of glass lying flat.Once you have safety covered, get a sharp tool to lightly score the glass cut line along your desired shape and length. Make sure to lock one end of the wire to secure it in the shape of a handle with a piece of wood. Heat up the wire until it glows red before you slowly lower it along the marked cut line. Immediately put the glass in the water to cool the wire down and effectively cut the glass into two even parts.

Scissors

Yes, you read correctly – scissors are one of the easiest tools to use to cut glass without a glass cutter! This might be the most direct and cost-effective method out of the three. Again, safety first and be sure to have a bucket of water that’s large enough to dip in the entire piece of glass. Mark the glass for where you want to cut with a sharp tool. Then, dip the glass in the water and cut along the marked line as if you were cutting paper. From here, the edges will not be very clean and you’ll need to use a whetstone to clean up the edges and get a cleaner cut.

Using scissors, string, and wire to cut glass without a glass cutter are all easy methods to get the desired outcome. It should also be noted that these methods are best suited to cutting thinner sheets of glass and thicker glasses can require more specialised tools. Whichever method you decide to use, make sure to practice safety measures and use a deep bucketful of water- ensuring that no flaming cloth or hot wire will end up in your eye or any other part of the body.