After many requests regarding, how I go about cutting a curve or arch in the door strut, I put together this brief guide.
I hope that you will find this helpfull.
As an added note, this process can also be used to cut most curves in glass. ;-)
Cutting an Arched Glass Door Strut
These are instructions to cut an arched glass door strut, in a European style vivarium. This same method is used to cut the arch in the back panel of the vivarium when installing a false base.
In order to be able to cut the same curve or arch constantly, it is advised that you use a template.
As I construct vivariums of different widths, I could cut a separate template for each new width vivarium that I construct, but that would cost me a lot of wasted time.
I designed and made a template that I could adjust to the required width.
This template is constructed from 6mm Phenolic sheet stock, so it very stable and will warp or be affected by temperature or humidity.
You may choose to make a one-off template, if you are only going to construct a single vivarium or a few of the same size.
A template for a one-off can be made from 6mm MDF, which easily cut and sanded to shape.
CUTTING THE ARCH
You will need to work on a stable and flat surface; if the surface is not flat the glass may not shear or be cut as desired.
Cover the work surface with several layers of newspaper. The newspaper serves two important functions.
1. It protects from scratches and stops the glass from sliding around with working.
2. The papers also provide just enough give under the glass, to be able to carry-out this Cutting procedure.
Carefully place your template on your glass strip.
The template should be aligned in the centre from left to right
Press down on the template firmly but gently, to ensure the template does not move.
Use your class cutter to score a single continuous and consistent line on the inside of the template.
N.B. DO NOT TRY AND SCORE THE LINE TWICE
You should be left with a single continuous arched line, as below.
Turn the section of glass over, so that the scored line now is located on the under side.
Ensure that there are no foreign objects under the glass or newspaper before proceeding.
N.B. DO NOT RUSH THE FOLLOWING STEP
Wear gloves.
Use your thumb and use a firm pressure to push down in the centre of the line. (see location of red dot in diagram below)
Remember the un-scored side of the glass should be face upward; this is the surface you should applying pressure to.
The glass will start to split along the score line.
Slowly push down on the ends of the split and follow the line away from the centre in the direct of the arrows.
As you work away from the centre, the split will run to the edge of the glass.
When the split ahs run the entire length of the line, carefully turn the glass, back over.
Repeat the above process on the score side of the glass.
The waste section should now be free of the arch.
Using emery cloth or silicone carbide sandpaper, buff all the raw edges of the glass just enough to take off the sharpness
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