Diamond or roller glass cutter. Glass cutter

Hello everyone! Any major overhaul in the house is not complete without glass work.

That is why it is very important to choose a quality tool for working with this material. Next, we will look at how to choose a glass cutter for your home so that you do not regret purchasing it in the future.

There are several types of glass cutters on the modern market - tools differ in design, working element and cutting method.

This allows you to make the best choice of glass cutter for home or professional use.

Diamond glass cutter. This is a professional tool.

It uses a diamond crystal as a cutting element, which is firmly fixed to the working part with silver solder. The natural diamond tool is suitable for working with glass up to 1 cm thick.

If synthetic diamond is used, the cutting thickness will be no more than 5 mm, such a tool is much cheaper.

Depending on the type, diamond tools have:

• Curved cutting edge. The cutters are installed in line with the axis of the glass cutter, which makes it easier to work with it.

  This option is convenient for inexperienced carvers and is suitable for home use.

• Quadrangular pyramid cutter. The incisors are fixed at an angle of 20-22 degrees relative to the tool axis; working with it requires skill. It is a professional tool for experienced craftsmen.

With frequent use, the diamond crystal becomes dull, and the cutter requires sharpening on a cast iron disc or using a bar covered with mastic with diamond dust.

Sharpening is carried out until the glass cutter begins to draw a thin line on the glass.

Roller glass cutter.

A common option, actively used in everyday life and by professionals. The cutting part is carbide rollers, most often based on cobalt and tungsten.

Manufacturers offer glass cutters with a different number of rollers - 1.3 or 6.

The more cutting elements in the tool, the better it works and the more expensive it costs. Each roller with a diameter of 6.6 mm is capable of cutting glass with a thickness of up to 4 mm, and is capable of making a total cut of 350 meters.

A blunt cutting element is replaced with a new one by loosening the fastening clamp and turning the drum.

If there is no new roller at hand, the old one can be sharpened with a mechanical sharpener or using a fine-grained abrasive disc.

Oil glass cutter. A relatively new development, which is a classic roller tool equipped with a lubrication system for the working area.

How to choose a good glass cutter for your home

Lubricating fluid is poured into the tool handle and flows to the cutting edges through a special wick. Due to the lubrication, the friction force is reduced and the wear of the working part of the glass cutter is reduced.

An oil glass cutter usually has several replaceable heads for working with glasses of different thicknesses:

• for cutting glass up to 1 cm thick, rollers are used, the sharpening angle of which is 135 degrees;
• for work with glass with a thickness of 1 to 2 cm, roller elements with a sharpening angle of 150 degrees are used.

In this case, the resource of each head reaches 5-6 thousand running meters.

In addition to stationary heads, rotating heads are also used, they allow you to cut according to a template. Heads that have exhausted their resource must be replaced.

An oil glass cutter is a serious professional tool, it is irrational to buy it for simple one-time work around the house, but it makes sense to purchase it if you have a large amount of work or cutting according to a complex pattern.

Circular glass cutter. A specialized glass cutter that allows you to cut circles and ovals.

The design includes an adjustable scale, thanks to which you can set the required cutting radius, a suction cup that fixes the tool on the glass surface, as well as the glass cutter itself (usually oil type).

To obtain an oval, a special system of two rods is additionally used. Before cutting, you need to correctly select the radius on the measuring scales.

How not to be mistaken with the choice?

When deciding which glass cutter to choose, first of all, you should focus on the amount of work to be done and the characteristics of the material. If you have to cut glass with a thickness of 1 to 2 cm, the choice is made in favor of an oil tool.

For thinner glass, diamond and roller glass cutters are suitable. Roller models are the cheapest and have a limited working life. This is an option for one-time work with glass of small thickness. If there is a lot of work ahead, a diamond tool is the best choice.

Having decided on the type of glass cutter, pay attention to the ergonomics of the tool handle.

Preference should be given to a wooden handle - it does not slip in the palm of your hand when working. The polymer handle should have a rough surface, the metal handle should have a notch. The special shape or notches on the handle help to hold the tool tightly.

When buying a glass cutter, check its work - the seller provides glass for control cutting.

When testing the roller model, pay attention to the line (it should be thin), sound (characteristic crackle without squeaking), movement (the roller should not dangle). When checking a diamond and oil model, pay attention to the thickness of the line - the thinner it is, the sharper the tool.

A properly selected glass cutter will help you to independently carry out all work related to cutting this material.

Video on how to choose a glass cutter:

What glass cutters are and how they differ

A glass cutter in a household is not an essential tool, but when you need to cut glass and have nothing to cut, this is already a problem. Therefore, it is advisable to have this tool in the house. How to choose a glass cutter, what it will pay attention to, what types are - read in this article.

Roller

The vast majority of DIYers use roller glass cutters.

They are inexpensive (if you take household, and not professional), they cut glass perfectly, although some cannot take glass more than 5 mm, and some even cut a centimeter glass.

The cutting element here is a carbide roller, with which the glass is cut. Most often, the set includes 6 rollers, 1 working, 5 spare. Many do not even know that if the cutter roller is dull, then it can be replaced with a new one, for this it is enough just to unscrew the bolt and move a new one to the place of the old roller.

With wooden handle.
The most common, homemade, with its help you can easily cut glass with a thickness of up to 5 mm, the five is really already cut very badly. Ordinary window glass 3-4 mm can be cut without problems. The cost is 60-80 rubles.

2. Cheap Chinese models with a plastic handle and six rollers.
Completely the same, they cost about 60-100 rubles, they also take thin glass.

3. A large tool of the "Profi" series, it is certainly not professional, but it cuts thicker glass.

The declared thickness of the cut glass is as much as 10 mm, but in practice it was difficult to cut 6 mm glass.

If you do not want to use cheap models (70-100 rubles) and you are not satisfied with the quality of glass cut, then I advise you to pay attention to the glass cutters of the company "kraftool" - a German company that produces quality products.

All their goods are a high-quality tool, the most important thing is that their prices are very low (when compared with other professional firms).

4. Kraftulovsky is already more expensive.

For home, there are 2 options - with 1 roller and with six. The one with the green handle comes with one roller, it costs more. How is it that 1 video is more expensive than 6?

Everything is simple here - the resource of this one video is 8 km (you can cut 8 km of glass).

The cost at the moment is 250 rubles - a small price for a really high-quality tool. The thickness of the glass to be cut is also small, up to 5 mm, however, the five cuts just fine, the cut is straight, without chips (unlike cheap household options).

The second option - with an orange handle, has 6 rollers, also excellently cuts glass up to 5 mm.

The price is 200 rubles, the resource of one video is 1 km.

For myself, I made a choice by buying myself a glass cutter for 250 rubles with 1 roller.

How to choose a glass cutter

In households, it is rarely necessary to cut glass thicker than 5 mm, but a couple of times I had to deal with 6 mm glass - the green "Kraftool" coped without problems, although I had to spend more time tapping the cut.

Of all the inexpensive options, it is Kraftlovsky that is optimal, because it has successfully shown itself in action.

5. Oil glass cutter

Oil can also be attributed to roller, since the cut is due to a roller made of carbide metal. The only difference is that when cutting, oil is added, which makes cutting glass much easier, moreover, the cut quality is noticeably higher.

If you take an inexpensive oil for your home, then it will cost about 180 rubles (firm "Stayer").

When compared with Kraftlovskiy one can say that it is very good.

Diamond models

Many craftsmen cut only with diamond glass cutters, because they consider them to be the best. By and large, they are right - diamond ones are designed to cut glass and no roller can be compared to a professional diamond one.

What is a professional diamond glass cutter?

This is just a super tool, it cuts even a centimeter glass absolutely without tension, even in my youth I worked for several days on a glass cutter and was shocked with what ease you can cut glass 1 cm thick. Of course, the price of such a tool is decent.

The glass is cut due to diamond, which is, of course, harder than any hard alloy.

Diamond glass cutters for the home are not as easy as they seem. To cut off at least something for the first time, they will have to work hard.

The whole difficulty arises because when cutting, you need to observe a certain angle of inclination when the diamond facet begins to cut.

My first attempts were unsuccessful, but I firmly decided to learn and after a while already knew how to cut with such a tool. And I'll tell you that he cuts really cool, like clockwork. The only thing is that you need to cut along a metal ruler, the thinner the ruler, the better.

How to use correctly

A few simple rules:

• Do not sweep several times over the cut, you need one pass with the desired pressure.

• Tap the glass cut carefully, along the entire length of the cut.

• The pressure must be chosen correctly, do not use all your power on the 3 mm glass, otherwise you will simply crush it.

• Drive the glass cutter slowly, take your time.

Many owners try to make repairs on their own. This allows you to both save your budget and do work at a convenient time, without adjusting to the schedule of outside workers. However, performing repairs solely with your “bare” hands in the literal sense of the word is sometimes difficult. And if folk craftsmen can carry out some work with improvised means without buying specialized tools, then such a trick will not work with cutting glass. Going to the store, it is better to know in advance how to choose the right glass cutter. Cutting glass or mirrors is a delicate, almost surgical, robot, it is almost impossible to correct flaws. Therefore, a mistake in choosing the right tool can cost you a completely damaged glass sheet. Our article will tell you how to choose a good glass cutter and avoid such troubles.

What glass cutters are there?

At the moment, the market for cutting devices is not very diverse. However, despite this, for each type of glass it is better to choose “your” instrument, based on the following parameters:

1. Scope of work - the number of cut glass meters.
2. The technical problem is smooth or curly cutting.
3. The thickness and structure of the material to be cut.

It is especially important to accurately determine these factors before choosing a professional glass cutter, but for household use on small volumes, you can buy so-called universal models.

Based on the design and material of the cutter, manual glass cutters are divided into the following types:

• diamond;
• roller;
• oil;
• victorious;
• circular.

Each type of tool is distinguished by its wear resistance, sharpening method and application features.

Diamond glass cutters

Even from school, everyone knows that diamond is a super-durable natural material. It is this stone that has long been used for cutting glass.

Advantages:

• allows you to make an even and neat groove;
• cuts rather than scratches glass;
• durable material - service life up to 10 years.

Disadvantages:

• use requires some experience;
• high price.

Important! If the edge of the diamond bit becomes dull, it can simply be turned to another edge. Also, a diamond is sharpened with a cast iron disc or a bar covered with diamond dust and mastic.

Device

Structurally, diamond models consist of:

• wooden or plastic handle;
• steel or tubular frame covered with an anti-corrosion layer;
• a metal hammer, which has slots for breaking glass and fixing minor cutting flaws;
• directly the diamond cutter itself, securely fixed with a special solder with silver;
• connecting screw.

Besides glass cutters with natural diamond, there are also options with artificial stone. Such tools are much cheaper, but practically not inferior to their predecessors.

Important! The model with natural diamond can cut glass up to 10 mm thick, and with artificial one - up to 5 mm.

Types

Diamond glass cutters are of two types:

1. With an edge in the form of a tetrahedral pyramid - has a slope of 22 degrees relative to the tool axis;
2. With a curved edge - no tilt from the axis.

Important! If you are thinking about how to choose a glass cutter for your home, it is better to stop at the second option - it is easier to work with such a tool if there is not enough experience.

Roller glass cutters

Craftsmen and ordinary users also make extensive use of roller glass cutters. Unlike diamond, the cutting part here is a special rotating roller with a diameter of 6.6 mm, made of a tungsten-cobalt alloy.

Advantages:

• inexpensive;
• easy to use;
• if the roller is blunt, it can simply be replaced with another one.

Disadvantages:

• small amount of work - 300-400 meters of glass;
• not neat enough groove.

Important! Some people think that in glass cutters with replaceable rollers there are discs on the holder for cutting glass of different density and thickness - this is not at all the case. The rollers are the same size and are designed to replace blunt ones.

Tool quality check

To make sure the roller is working, make a test cut in a small piece of glass. If you get a thin line, it means that the tool is ready for work, but if a thick groove with small glass chips comes out, replace the roller.

Important! Before choosing a good glass cutter in a store, you definitely need to check it: the rollers should spin freely, but not dangle.

Types

Depending on the thickness of the glass, you need to choose rollers with different sharpening angles:

1. For 1-5 mm glass, a tool with a sharpening angle of 100 degrees is suitable.
2. For glass up to 10 mm thick, use a cutting disc with an angle of 100-140 degrees.
3. A tool with a sharpening angle of 160 degrees can handle glass up to 20 mm.

Important! The sharpening angle of 138 degrees is considered universal. These will be the very best roller glass cutters for home use.

Oil glass cutters

Oil glass cutters have appeared on the market relatively recently. In fact, they are an improvement on the roller tools described above - the handle also serves as a reservoir for lubrication.

Important! If, when working with a roller tool to improve the cutting line, you need to constantly lubricate the roller with oil yourself, then lubrication is supplied automatically. It happens in this way: oil is poured into the handle cavity, which then, through a special hole, the grease enters the roller axis and its cutting edge, as well as the cut line. Thanks to this, it is possible to significantly reduce the friction of the roller on the material, thereby increasing its wear resistance.

Advantages:

• able to cut a large volume of glass meters;
• durable;
• cut glass evenly;
• independently supplies oil from the reservoir to the cutting line;
• convenient to work with.

Disadvantages:

• more expensive than a conventional roller.

Important! The oil cutting tool is capable of processing up to 5000 meters of glass and up to 20 mm thick. After this, the entire head must be replaced.

Types

Oil glass cutters are sold with replaceable heads and rollers. The latter, depending on the sharpening angle, are intended for cutting glass of different thicknesses:

• 135 degrees for canvases up to 10 mm thick;
• 150 degrees for glasses up to 20 mm.

Also oil glass cutters can be:

• with a fixed head - standard;
• with a rotating head - used for cutting glass according to a template.

Victory glass cutters

If you are faced with the task of choosing the cheapest glass cutter for glass, pay attention to a tool with a victorious cutter. This option is also suitable for one-off work.

Important! It is unsuitable for a large volume of cutting, since the cutter becomes blunt very quickly and must be constantly sharpened.

Advantages:

• cheap;
• suitable for simple one-time jobs.

Disadvantages:

• requires constant sharpening;
• poor-quality groove, which sometimes leads to glass cracks;
• the cut line is not very neat.

Circular glass cutters

The best glass cutters for cutting holes or shapes in the form of a circle and an oval are circular. They greatly simplify such a complex and painstaking work. They are often used by professionals.

Device

A circular glass cutter has the following components:

• glass cutter, as a rule, this is an oil model;
• a suction cup that secures the entire instrument to the glass;
• adjustable scale with which the required circle radius is set.

Advantages of circular glass cutters:

• allow you to cut complex shapes and holes in the canvas;
• can work with thick glass;
• facilitate work.

Important! The angle of sharpening of the cutting element of the circular glass cutter allows working with glass up to 20 mm thick.

Disadvantages:

• price;
• require substantial experience in cutting glass.

Important! To obtain an oval made of glass, a design of two rods is used, which are placed perpendicular to each other and to the instrument itself. The main thing is to choose the correct radius on the scales.

To make the work of the master as comfortable as possible, in the improved models of glass cutters, the handle is hollow and has a wick for supplying oil. If you are thinking how to choose a professional glass cutter for curly cutting, while the amount of work will be significant, take a closer look at this option.

In order to choose the best glass cutters available in the store, you need to look not only at the type of tool, but also at the workmanship itself.

Here is a list of additional points to look out for:

1. Glass cutters with a wooden or rubberized handle will not slip in the hand.
2. The presence of grooves on the handle of the tool will allow better control of the cutting process and provide more comfortable use.
3. In roller glass cutters, the roller should rotate well by inertia, while not making a “figure eight” when rotating.
4. During the test cut, the tool should make a characteristic crackling sound without squeaking.
5. For straight cuts, choose a model with a fixed, straight, thick head.
6. For shape cutting, you need a tool with a moving or thin head.

Important! A universal option is a glass cutter with a rotating head, which can be fixed if necessary.

As you can see, even a beginner, following our advice, will be able to understand exactly how to choose a glass cutter for home or professional work. Summarizing briefly, we can say that a lot here depends on the amount of work and budget:

• To cut several glasses and mirrors with your own hands, you can safely opt for a roller model.
• Answering the question of how to choose a professional glass cutter, you should pay attention to the diamond and circular tools.
• But if work with thick glass is planned, the masters recommend oil models.

Skillfully cutting and breaking off glass seems to be a difficult skill to comprehend only at first glance. With a good, and most importantly - suitable glass cutter in your hands, along with basic theoretical skills, you will easily cope with the task, although it is very likely that not on the first try.

Types of glass cutters

There are two types of manual glass cutters. Rollers are the most popular because of their low cost and ease of use. A sharply sharpened roller made of silicon carbide, tungsten carbide or a special steel alloy, fixed in a mandrel with a small handle, pushes a sufficiently deep and wide groove in the glass, along which the glass sheet is very easy to break with the formation of a direct chip.

Roller glass cutters have a short service life and are often unpredictable: a fragile roller can crumble with excessive force, but it must be high enough. On the other hand, such a glass cutter is very easy to use: even a beginner will master this tool after a few workouts.

In diamond glass cutters, the cutting organ is represented by a crystal of artificial or real, but illiquid diamond. The crystal is firmly soldered to the massive block, on the back of which the handle is screwed. The diamond glass cutter leaves behind a very thin (sometimes almost indistinguishable), but perfectly even furrow with practically no chips at the edges.

The fracture after a diamond glass cutter is much cleaner, but the tool requires a certain skill. This tool is exclusively professional grade, it is very durable (natural diamond can be used for decades) and each piece is unique in its own way. More indicatively, a diamond tool is a straight razor, while a roller tool is a disposable razor.

Cutting methods

For precise cutting of glass, it does not need to be sawed through its entire thickness. This material is quite brittle, and its hardness is high as long as the structure is homogeneous. But it is enough to make a small incision, and the glass will burst exactly on it with the slightest effort. Making such an incision is called marking.

The mandrel of the glass cutter has a beveled edge. If you attach one of the inclined edges to the glass, then the conditional line of its surface will pass exactly a few micrometers above the edge of the cutting roller. In other words, it is enough to simply press the glass cutter with a mandrel against the glass in order to obtain a cut of sufficient depth without having eye contact with the working body itself.

This is more difficult in diamond glass cutters. The cutting crystal in them is hidden behind an even more massive head, and although the direction of the cut is quite easy to control, the real position of the diamond is hidden from view. In addition, any diamond has only one or two cutting edges; they need to be found, as they say, by touch. At the same time, the markings are applied without any effort at all, the glass characteristically sings loudly under the diamond.

Marking

The scoring line should be a shallow but even scratch. Roller glass cutters do not cut the groove, but push it, which is why gentle chips are formed along the edges. Because of this, the fracture line may later “wiggle” or a rough chip with many sharp edges may form. Marking is done in just one stroke - this partly expresses the difficulty of cutting glass.

In practice, any cutting precision may be required. For example, glass for wooden windows can have a deviation of 1-2 mm, and the quality of the ends is not particularly important. In this case, the glass cutter can be guided by hand along the line drawn by the glass-recorder. Instead of drawing a line every time, you can display it on the cutting table or place paper tape under the glass.

To cut double-glazed windows, it is necessary to guide the glass cutter along the attached strip. The result will be a straight line that, when broken, forms a smooth edge without chipping or sharp areas.

There are also special cases where the glass cutting must be perfectly accurate and the cut must be perfectly processed. In this case, a cutting bar is used, on which a support carriage with a glass cutter is fixed. Only in this case will the quality of the cut be guaranteed to be high. Processing of the ends can be carried out with special stripping machines, removing a thin bevel, as on glass of aquariums and mirrors.

There is also artistic glass cutting, usually done with a diamond glass cutter. It is quite difficult to cut a curved figure out of glass, for this you need, firstly, to apply precise markings without double scratches, and secondly, very carefully tap along the entire cutting line with a mandrel or a glass cutter head until a through crack forms. If the part is cut in the center of the sheet, the edges will have to be divided into several thin pieces. For shape cutting, exotic methods such as spot overheating with a soldering iron or cutting with a pendulum saw are also used, in any case, the cut is almost never perfect and requires subsequent processing.

Breaking glass

The above-mentioned tapping of the notch is relevant not only for curly cutting. This is a fairly common technique to increase the likelihood of successful breakage and a quality edge. Strikes should be short and precise, but not necessarily strong.

As for directly breaking glass, this can be done in completely different ways. The first and the simplest one is to put the glass on the edge of the table and press on the protruding part of it. If the crack on the glass is even enough, the glass will safely break exactly according to the markings, but this method is not suitable for long cuts.

It is interesting that glass is not only hard and brittle, but also quite elastic in structure. It can also bend, so if you sharply raise it by one of the edges parallel to the cutting line, and then sharply raise and lower the blade, as if creating a wave, the overload will evenly fall on the damaged area and the glass will crack along a straight line.

There is another way: a low triangular glazing bead is placed just under the furrow on the glass. If you put a cut glass on it, it will crack even under its own weight. Even if a similar load is applied only in one place, the crack will expand evenly along its entire length.

Why jagged faults are produced

When working with glass, it is very important to have a firm hand, at the same time, when cutting, it is unforgivable to be rude in handling the material. The best way to master the art of cutting is to understand how the mechanics of glass cutting work by first practicing on old or unwanted glass.

Remember that not all glass lends itself to hand cutting and breaking. Tempered glass, for example, disintegrates into many small fragments at the slightest structural damage. There are also intermediate options: glasses of poor quality or with a broken structure will give their own pattern of cracks, regardless of the applied markings.

If the break line goes to the side, pay attention to the cutting technique and the condition of the glass cutter. Perhaps you are not applying firm enough pressure, or perhaps the chipped edge of the cutter wheel is to blame, leaving small bridges.

A glass cutter is an essential tool in the home workshop of any owner, because you never know when glass cutting will be needed.

Today, in every city there are many services that offer this service, which will quickly and efficiently cut a glass blank according to the dimensions required by the customer. But regardless of where the event for cutting glass of the required size will take place, a glass cutter is used.

Varieties of glass cutting tools

Today, on the shelves of most shops selling tools, you can find glass cutting devices at various prices. But before choosing a particular model, it is important to understand the varieties, the principle of operation and the features of the glass cutter device.

To this end, it is advisable to consider popular instrument models for cutting glass in more detail.

Before you go to the store to buy a tool, you need to understand its types. At the moment, professionals are considering the following types of glass cutters suitable for independent use:

• roller construction product;
• tools with a diamond cutting edge;
• oil type glass cutter;
• cutting device for cutting complex geometric shapes;

More convenient in terms of use are considered glass cutters with wooden handle... Such a tool does not slip out of the hands during work and it is quite comfortable to hold it. It is also desirable that the handle has finger recesses.

Diamond type glass cutter

A device for cutting glass with a diamond cutting edge has been used by both professional craftsmen and amateurs for many years, having established itself only on the positive side.

A feature of this tool is miniature diamond crystal, located at the end of the working part of the glass cutter and securely fixed using silver-based soldering.

A diamond cutter works equally well for cutting thin glass and material of centimeter thickness. But it must be borne in mind that if the cutter is equipped with artificial diamond, then the thickness of the material to be cut should not exceed 0.5 cm.

Such a device is perfect for home use, as it has a relatively low cost with good enough quality.

Despite the fact that a diamond crystal is considered the hardest natural material, but in the process of constant work, it can become dull. Therefore, the tool must be sharpened at regular intervals, for which a cast iron disc or special whetstone based on diamond dust.

Sharpening the cutting edge of the glass cutter is carried out until a thin line remains when holding the tool over the glass. When choosing a diamond glass cutter, it is important to know that there are several types of tools:

• With a curved type cutting edge.
• With a pyramidal four-edged cutting edge.

The first type is better to give preference if a person first encounters cutting glass. In turn, the cutting structure of the second type used by professionals... The main difference between the pyramidal cutting edge and the curvilinear analog is the location of the cutters at an angle of 20 degrees relative to the central axis.

In turn, the curved cutting edge of the tool is located in line with the axis of the glass cutter, which greatly simplifies the process of cutting glass.

Oil type glass cutter

This type of tool is a novelty among glass cutters and is similar in principle to a standard roller tool, but with automatic supply of lubricants... The reservoir that stores the oil is built into the handle of the tool. The lubricant is supplied to the cutting edge using a wick.

The use of such a glass cutter allows you to reduce the friction of the working surface on the glass, which increases the service life tool. The glass cutter also moves more easily through the oil, which makes cutting easier.

Such a tool is most often used for cutting sheet glass no thicker than 20 mm and is able to cut up to 5 thousand meters of material until the glass cutter is completely dull.

After the product has completely exhausted its operational resource, a complete replacement of the working head, since not only the roller mechanism is subject to wear, but also its sidewalls, as well as the mounting axis. The oil type glass cutter can be equipped with the following types of rollers:

1. Cutting material up to 1 cm thick requires a roller with a sharpening angle of 135 degrees;
2. If it is required to cut glass, the thickness of which ranges from 1 to 2 cm, the sharpening angle should be 150 degrees.

Oil glass cutters can be either fixed or rotating head... The last option is intended for cutting glass along smooth lines of the template.

Also, this type of glass cutter has the ability to fix the head in a fixed position, that is, such a tool can be classified as a universal type.

Roller Glass Cutting Tool

The roller glass cutter is the most common type of glass cutting tool. The cutting part of this tool is movable roller, made of special hard alloys, usually tungsten and cobalt.

High quality glass cutter models have up to six rollers. The quality of cutting the material and, of course, the cost of the tool depends on the number of such mechanisms - the more such elements, the higher the cost of the glass cutter.

A single roller mechanism is designed for cutting glass with a thickness of less than 4 mm. Standard tool-mounted rollers are 6.6 mm in diameter and have a cutting edge that sharpens at 100 degrees.

If the cutting edge of the glass cutter is blunt, it easily changed by a new analogue, for which the fastening mechanism is simply loosened (usually a screw), and the drum roller is pulled out by turning it 60 degrees.

Naturally, instead of replacing the cutting element, it can be sharpened with a mechanical sharpener or manually using a conventional abrasive disc with fine grain.

Curved glass cutters

Very often the question of how to choose the right high-quality glass cutter arises when it is necessary to cut out of glass complex geometric shapes in the shape of a circle or oval. For this purpose, a special cutting tool is usually used, which in its design resembles a compass.

Such a structurally difficult tool consists of a main part (usually an oil glass cutter) and a special suction cup for attaching the device to the surface of the material being cut. Also the instrument has adjustable scale, thanks to which you can set the specified parameters of the radius of the circle.

In order to cut a geometrically correct oval, a complex system of two rods is used, located perpendicular to each other and directly to the cutting mechanism. The main thing, set the parameters exactly radius using scales.

If you are planning to choose a high-quality diamond glass cutter, then you need to understand that such a tool differs depending on the installed cutter: curved cutting edge and a tetrahedral pyramid.

Choosing a roller type of glass cutting device, the consumer should take into account that there are two types of tools:

• with a movable head design;
• fixed cutting mechanism.

A tool with a rotating head is suitable for inexperienced craftsmen if it is necessary to cut geometrically simple patterns along smooth lines.

More difficult to use glass cutter, which is used mainly by experienced craftsmen, is considered compass instrument, with which you can cut ovals and circles from glass of different thicknesses. At home, such a tool is practically not used.

Features of cutting glass with a glass cutter

For cutting glass, it is important to prepare perfectly flat and clean surface... The workpiece itself for cutting must be dry and absolutely clean. The presence of moisture and various kinds of contamination leads to the rapid dullness of any tool.

The diamond glass cutter should be placed in the hand like a ballpoint pen, that is, it should be gripped at the base. Cut line is drawn in a clear movement without undue pressure.

If all actions are performed correctly, it will listen crackling sound... The result of all manipulations should be a slight, barely noticeable scratch on the glass surface.

In the case of using a device with a roller mechanism, a certain pressure must be exerted on it. The result of correct cutting will be a deep, pronounced line along the cutting contour.

But regardless of the tool used, in no case is it permissible to carry out several times along the same line. Also important release pressure on the cutting mechanism 5 mm before the edge of the workpiece.

After getting acquainted with the features of the device and the use of a different type of tool for cutting glass, everyone is able to decide which glass cutter will be the best in a particular case. By choosing a quality tool, even a beginner can handle glass cutting.

Updated: 19.09.2019 11:10:36

Expert: Savva Goldschmidt

* Review of the best according to the editorial site. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Unlike metals and wood, glass has increased fragility, so it cannot be cut with abrasive means. For cutting such materials, glass cutters have been developed that scratch the top layer. After that, by pressing on the plane, you can gently break off the glass or mirror, exactly along the cut line. You can cut with such a tool both shapes with smooth edges and arbitrary ones. We have compiled a rating of the best glass cutters, dividing the models into categories. The experts analyzed user reviews and product characteristics, so the review will help you navigate and buy the right model for the upcoming tasks.

Rating of the best glass cutters

Best diamond glass cutters

Diamond is one of the hardest materials on earth, therefore it is effectively used in glass cutters for straight and curly cut glass and mirrors. A piece of carbon is fixed in the holder with silver solder and remains stationary. With the help of a diamond tool, you can lead a cutting line up to 10 km with a cut material thickness up to 10 mm. Therefore, having spent once, the buyer receives the goods for many years. But for the price it is superior to other types. According to the shape of sharpening, two options are used: pyramidal and oblique. The first is chosen by professionals, the second is better suited for beginners. As the diamond wears down, it is ruled on a diamond grinding wheel.

The first place in the rating among diamond glass cutters is occupied by the goods of the domestic company Brigadier. The model is made with a combination of materials: the holder is cast from tool steel, and the handle is turned from noble hardwoods. The cutting element is made of synthetic diamond soldered into the head. The tip of the handle has a nice curvature to prevent the tool from falling out. So that the wood does not lose its appearance, it was varnished. The total length of the model is 180 mm. Masters in the reviews share that it is convenient to hold the glass cutter by the very tip, pressing from above, in the case of cutting a large surface. In general, the handle is ergonomic and fits well in the hand. The fingers do not get tired even after prolonged use.

Our experts have included the glass cutter in the rating of the best due to the thin head of the model, which allows you to draw wavy lines along the mirror for cutting decorative elements. The turns are not difficult and the craftsman retains a good view of the cut line. The product also has four grooves for breaking off small cut segments. Each groove has its own width for a different section of the material.

Advantages

• the diamond is firmly soldered into the holder;
• cuts through glass the first time;
• easy to make a straight or wavy line;
• working with it is easy for a beginner to master.

disadvantages

• high price compared to other models;
• slips in hand due to varnish;
• sold without a container (on a cardboard in mica), so there is nothing to store and transport.

Russia 87225

The second place in the rating is taken by the glass cutter Russia 87225, made in the shape of a hammer. The metal part is chrome plated and will not rust when used or stored in a humid environment. A plastic handle is provided for holding, but unlike the leader of the rating, it is of a simple shape, gradually turning into a flat one. The holder is equipped with two slots for breaking glass. One is designed for a cross section of 3 mm, and the other for 5 mm. The cutting element is industrial diamond, which is characterized by increased strength and long service life.

Our experts put the model in the rating because the glass cutter weighs 300 g and is shaped like a hammer, which is convenient for tapping the material to deepen the crack. Although, according to its characteristics, it is designed for a glass section of up to 5 mm, in practice they will be able to cut off 8 mm by knocking on the line passed. The masters agree with this in the reviews and the product is recommended specifically for thick materials.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• weighty - you can knock;
• high strength industrial diamond;
• long service life.

disadvantages

• because of the large head, the cutting line is poorly visible;
• more suitable for straight cut (for curly cut it is difficult to manipulate a large holder);
• clumsy look;
• sold without a cover.

Fit 16930

The third place in the rating category belongs to a Canadian brand that manufactures goods in China. The glass cutter is equipped with a beveled diamond and is designed for a material section of up to 5 mm. After the head there is a brass insert with forks for breaking glass. The element contains four different lug spacings to fit tightly to any material thickness and break without chipping. The handle is made of solid wood and has a comfortable grip. The model is suitable for both straight cuts for a ruler and curly cut. The diamond used in the construction is characterized by increased wear resistance. The product retains its attractive appearance for a long time thanks to stainless metals and varnishing.

This model is included in the rating by our experts, as it is a replica of the tried and tested Brigadier. For a price two times lower, you can get a completely identical instrument. We recommend this glass cutter for beginners who want to master a variety of glass cutting techniques, including shape cutting.

Advantages

• stainless steel head;
• ergonomic handle;
• attractive price for a diamond model;
• four grooves for breaking material.

disadvantages

• sold in a blister;
• it is impossible to cut a section of more than 5 mm;
• some users quickly lose the diamond.

Best Roller Glass Cutters

Roller glass cutters are cheaper than diamond cutters because the cutting element in them is a cobalt-tungsten alloy. It is used to cast and sharpen circles that scratch the glass surface for cutting. Depending on the sharpening angle 138 or 160 degrees, it will turn out to cut through the material section of 4-8 or 9-19 mm, respectively. There are tools with one, three or six rollers, which affects the ease of use and the frequency of sharpening the equipment. The working life of the roller glass cutter is 350-50000 m of the total cutting line and depends on the quality of the cutter. The rating of products in this category contains both professional and amateur models.

Stanley 0-14-040

The first place belongs to an American glass cutter produced at a plant in Germany. This is one of the highest quality products in the category. The tool is equipped with six numbered rollers at once. When one is dull, you can turn the drum and immediately proceed to further cutting with the others. This configuration does not require the distraction of sharpening, even during the whole day of operation. The holder is nickel-plated to protect the steel from corrosion. The solid wooden handle of the classic shape has a thick varnish layer. The masters in the reviews like the product with a sharp sharpening and a long service life. Experts compare it in quality with glass cutters from the USSR and say that this one is even better. Thanks to the sharpness of the rollers, the beginner can easily cope with the cut of fragile glossy material.

Our experts have awarded the tool the first place in the rating due to its cutting ability. In addition to glass and mirrors, they will be able to cut high and medium soft ceramic wall tiles. This is very convenient for curly cutouts around communications, window and door openings, sockets and electrical boxes.

Advantages

• accurate fault line;
• the glass does not crumble along the cut, the tips do not break off;
• 6 cutting elements;
• presentable look - can be bought as a gift.

disadvantages

• high price;
• nothing to tap the cut line with;
• moisten the roller in oil before work manually, in a container.

Kraftool Silberschnitt 33677

The second place in the rating is occupied by a German product. Its cutting element is made of tungsten carbide alloy and is designed for 50,000 m of the total cutting line. The head is nickel plated to prevent oxidation of the metal. The handle is cast in brass and has notches to prevent slipping in sweaty hands. In the place where the fingers are gripped, the tool is narrowed for ease of support. The end part is unscrewed along the thread and oil is poured into the handle, which is automatically supplied to the roller. This makes it easier to guide and helps to maintain sharpness.

We ranked this glass cutter as the best for professional work when working with thick materials up to 12 mm. Most analogs are not able to cut such a section and are limited to a 5 mm limit. The masters in the reviews share that it is very convenient to hold it in the hand and does not require strong pressure to cut the glass. The model is also supplied in a case, so if you frequently change the workplace, it is convenient to store and carry it with you, without fear of accidentally blunting the roller or getting dirty with oil.

Advantages

• there is a built-in oil supply;
• rubber seal so that grease does not leak out when the tool is turned over;
• narrow head for shaped cutting;
• reliable and durable case;
• long service life.

disadvantages

• very high cost;
• only one cutting roller;
• it is not visible how much oil is left in the pen;
• no grooves for breaking glass.

FIT IT 16921

The third place in the ranking belongs to another professional glass cutter from the Canadian brand Fit. The model is made in black. The head is constructed of blued steel and equipped with a screw for fixing the position on the axis. The fingers have a brass sleeve with ergonomic cutouts for a comfortable and secure grip. The tail of the handle is plastic and also painted black for stylistic unity. The cutting roller is single and sharpened at an acute angle of 135 degrees. The tool is designed for cutting glass with a cross section of up to 8 mm.

Our experts included the product in the rating due to the presence of a plastic flask through which you can clearly see how much oil is left. This design allows you not to carry a container for dipping a glass cutter and always monitor the presence of grease through transparent walls. But users in the reviews advise not to press hard on the handle, since the plastic thread can easily break off. In this case, you will have to find a new handle, because the head is simply rearranged by unscrewing the screw.

Advantages

• pipette for filling with oil included;
• materials are not subject to corrosion;
• automatic supply of lubricant to the roller;
• cuts a section up to 8 mm;
• ergonomic finger-rest cutout.

disadvantages

• sold in a blister - there is nothing to store and transport;
• it is inconvenient to tap the line;
• no fork for breaking;
• the head dangles (backlash);
• only one cutting element.

Truper CV-5 12953

The fourth place in the ranking is occupied by a product from a Mexican manufacturer. This is an original glass cutter made entirely of metal. It does not have an axis for attaching the head, so the tool is especially durable and will withstand any pressure from an inexperienced user. A roller with a diameter of 6.5 mm works as a cutting element. Three grooves are made next to it for breaking off small pieces of glass. The model is small - 12.7 cm, so it is inconvenient to work with large glazing areas. This product is suitable for domestic use (replace the glass in the window, make your own aquarium). Due to the thin specific design, professionals in the reviews advise holding it between the index and middle fingers, and not in the classic way.

In our opinion, the glass cutter earned a place in the ranking thanks to the large ball at the end of the handle. It is designed to gently tap the cut line to reinforce scratch cracks and ease glass separation.

Advantages

• three grooves for breaking off the material;
• does not break when dropped due to solid construction (no threads, connections);
• affordable cost per category;
• easy to tap.

disadvantages

• inconvenient to hold due to the thin body;
• lightweight, not felt in the hand;
• sold in a blister;
• short - 12.7 cm.