How to Cut a Mirror – Cutting mirrors is useful whether you’re crafting, cutting mirror tiles, or cutting a wall mirror for interior design. Requiring only a few unique, low-cost equipment, cutting a mirror is a two-part operation that begins with scoring and ends with breaking. Mirror cutting is a quick and simple technique that takes only a few minutes.
Using the appropriate pliers, you must use a glass-cutting instrument to score the glass and snap off any excess. Follow these steps to learn the specifics of securely cutting a mirror.
- It is necessary to score the mirror before cutting. It takes a glass cutter to score the mirror. A glass cutter is a portable instrument that scores mirrors by rolling a tiny carbide wheel over its end.
- Grip types for glass cutters differ. Basic versions have a ball at the top of the handle, similar to a pencil. Some glass cutters have easier-to-hold pistol or T-shaped handles.
- Running pliers are required for cutting the mirror, but only for small, straight cuts or mild freehand bends. The curved head of running pliers grips both sides of the score line, causing the mirror to break apart.
- When cutting a straight length of more than 18 to 24 inches, it is better to divide the mirror by placing something long and thin beneath the glass. For this, a thin board, a straightedge, or the table’s edge will do.
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How to Cut a Mirror
1. Get the workspace ready.
If you’re using a piece of plywood on a table or the ground, make sure it’s totally firm before proceeding with the mirror installation. Cover the work surface with a light blanket or other covering of cloth. The cloth helps smooth out any surface defects, but it’s not required.
2. Clear the Mirror
Wipe the mirror on both sides with paper towels and glass cleaner. Mirror side facing upwards, place it on the work surface.
3. Draw a line through the cut.
Using a grease pencil, mark the planned cut line’s two ends. Place the straightedge on the line or close to it. Glass cutters have a centered cutting wheel at the end of the instrument, as you can see. Therefore, there will be a 1/16- to 1/8-inch offset. Make the necessary adjustments to the straightedge.
4. Grease the glass cutter.
Drizzle the cutting wheel with a few drops of cutting oil. Certain glass cutters come with an attached chamber that can be loaded with cutting oil, allowing the tool to lubricate itself.
5. Get a point for the mirror
Hold the glass cutter so that the mirror’s cutting wheel is facing you. Firmly press. Score the mirror end to end with a single stroke. A characteristic whining noise will indicate that the mirror is being scored correctly. Use the same scoring technique from one end to the other end to get a softly curved freehand score without the straightedge. In order for the mirror to split at the score mark, you should strive for a curve that veers off the straight path by no more than two inches in any direction.
6. Cut the Mirror
Regarding Bends and Short Cuts
With the running pliers, you may trim short or curved scores.
- Raise a corner of the mirror.
- Position the mirror’s edge in between the pliers’ heads.
- Align the end of the score line with the central groove on top of the pliers.
- Squeeze the handles gently until the mirror splits apart at the scoring line.
For Linear Extended Cuts
Lift one side of the mirror cautiously.
- Place a thin object beneath the mirror, such the straightedge. It is best to align the object slightly below and parallel to the scoring line.
- Use clamps to hold down the mirror’s far end, or ask someone else to do it for you.
- Push the waste side of the mirror down with a single, forceful stroke. On the score line, the mirror ought should shatter.