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Glass Tips & TricksNewsletters from our past converted to fresh articles about stained glass.
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Cut Glass Using A Taurus Ring Saw
View the video of using a ring saw at http://youtu.be/un1aDQS7wug
When we designed this panel, we knew it had some difficult cuts. But we went ahead because we have a Taurus Ring Saw in our studio. It's not a "need" to have a ring saw, but once you get one you'll be thrilled.
Some of the pictures in this article are slightly blurry. Unfortunately, we just don't have the level of lighting for video in the grinder area.
Some of the pictures in this article are slightly blurry. Unfortunately, we just don't have the level of lighting for video in the grinder area.
It took me awhile to get used to the ring saw. Unlike a wood band saw, this blade cuts in all directions so I had to unlearn old habits. The ring is covered all around with a diamond surface.
Click for music clip.
Click for music clip.
I've already cut my leaf parts with a hand cutter leaving the radical curves to be cut with the saw.
I first run all the pieces across the grinder to remove sharp edges so I won't cut myself while working on the saw.
I first run all the pieces across the grinder to remove sharp edges so I won't cut myself while working on the saw.
I've got the water level up inside the saw basin and I begin to saw inside the curve.
The ring cuts in all directions, so I can run the edge along the ring to smooth the cut. I use very little pressure against the side so I don't push the ring off track.
The ring cuts in all directions, so I can run the edge along the ring to smooth the cut. I use very little pressure against the side so I don't push the ring off track.
I put on the auxiliary fence that is furnished when you purchase an Inland Wizard grinder. This lets me use both the 1" bit and the 1/16" bit.
The line washed off in the water, so Jeanne took it and dried it for me and re-marked the glass from the pattern. We often use a silver sharpie to mark glass, silver doesn't wash off as easily.
Some stained glass artists use either chapstick or beeswax lip balm to keep the line from washing away. I don't because then you have to wash that waxy mess away.
Some stained glass artists use either chapstick or beeswax lip balm to keep the line from washing away. I don't because then you have to wash that waxy mess away.
You could grind this curve using the 1/16" grinder bit. But it would take 4 or 5 times longer.
That's the way we did it for years and we were happy with the results!
That's the way we did it for years and we were happy with the results!
Here is the finished piece. I continued cutting on the saw and the smoothed the saw cut on the grinder. That makes it nice and smooth.
Here is another notch being cut out with the saw.
I smooth the cut on the grinder, as before.
You can see the edge is nice and smooth.
And you can see how nicely the finished leaves fit together.
Jeanne then puts pieces into place on the pattern.
And here is the finished panel. It took a little extra time, but the artistic results are worth the extra work.