Thread: It's that time of year again..... Home made gift season

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Originally Posted by firebird77clone

I have tried cutting bottles, no bueno. What's your technique?

I use a good glass cutter, held firm on a solid spacer on the bench, and rotate the bottle against the cutter to score a stress concentration/cut line all the way around - important that you do not go over the line more than the initial score. Holding the bottle over the sink, bottom just above the drain I slowly pour boiling water on the stress line, rotating the bottle, one of two times around, then turn on a small stream of cold water and follow the line again. Repeat, and it will suddenly pop off into the sink. I sometimes start by pouring about 1/2" of hot water into the bottle, swishing it around gently, and then pour it out before the cold water part. Generally a 90+ success rate.

So a light score (deeper isn't better) then temperature inversions. Cool, I need to try it

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

So a light score (deeper isn't better) then temperature inversions. Cool, I need to try it

No, like cutting any glass, the deeper the score (the stress concentration) the easier the break, but going over a score a second time dulls your cutter and creates competing stresses. Press hard, once around. The bottle wall is 1/8" to 1/4", you'll not break it pressing against the cutter. Also, you don't ever want to score glass and set it aside for an extended time, coming back to break it later. The stress concentration will dissipate, leading to better chances of an off-line break.