Glass pendant lights provide light without cluttering up your ceiling.
Glass pendant lights can be made from any type of glass, as long as the lighting fixture fits properly into the itself. Cutting glass for pendant lights is a simple process but must be done with the correct tools to prevent the glass from cracking or shattering. Before cutting glass for pendant lights, assemble all of your supplies, including the necessary safety ware, to prevent injury. Glass-cutting tools can be purchased at home and garden stores as well as hardware stores.
Tools
Cutting glass pendant lights require glass-cutting tools that are designed to prevent the glass from becoming damaged during the crafting process. Glass-cutting knives are used to slice lines -- or scores -- in the glass. Scores are cut lines left behind by the glass-cutting tool that allow the glass to break cleanly along the seams. Once the glass is scored, gloves and flathead pliers help break the score apart. The glass cutter can also be used to tap the sheet of glass free from the scored line as well.
Safety Supplies
Glass-cutting safety supplies are also necessary when working with cutting glass for pendant lights. Safety glasses should be worn to prevent shards and chips of glass from damaging your eyes. Gloves should be used to protect hands and fingers from injury, such as lacerations, when breaking apart the scores. A moist sponge can be used to clean up the area after the project is complete to prevent small glass shards from being breathed into the lungs or becoming embedded under the skin.
Technique/Method
There are two methods to cutting glass for pendant lights. The tapping technique is used after you score or cut the seam into the glass and is performed by standing the glass up on the work surface and tapping the glass just to one side of the scored line. The second method uses flathead pliers to break off smaller pieces of glass from a larger section. However, just as with tapping, the grip of the pliers should be relatively close to the score cut in the glass for a clean break.
Considerations
Glass cutting is a project that should only be completed under the supervision of an adult. Never cut glass using makeshift tools or tools not specifically designed to cut glass to prevent damaging the glass or becoming injured. Additionally, some glass includes lead particles that are toxic if inhaled or ingested. Never eat or drink while cutting glass and wash hands thoroughly before eating after working with glass to prevent glass particles from getting caught in food and becoming ingested.
Tags: pendant lights, glass from, glass pendant lights, cutting glass, glass pendant