Glass-Cutting Jig

REMOVES TOPS FROM BOTTLES

A top view of the
j i g with three-
cornered file in
place across the
cradle for cutting
a bottle as shown
in the photo at
the extreme left

How a bottle is
rolled on a file
is shown above.
The position of
the cut is fixed
by the backstop,
which may be ad-
justed back and
forth. A light-
weight bottle is
cut by rotating
fit in the cradle
In contact with
the broken end
of a file held
as shown at right
The cutting of a heavy
bottle is completed by

w
heating it with a string
soaked in alcohol and
lowering it in cold water

I T H this simple glass-cutting
jig, you can remove the tops from bottles
in order to make vases, flowerpots, chemi-
cal flasks, and any number of other con-
tainers.
The wooden base D is 8 by 15 in. On
it are mounted two uprights A and C,
¾ by 3½ by 6 in., which form a cradle.
The back stop B is ¾ by 4½ by 6 in. The
small blocks attached to these three parts
are about 2¼ by 3½ in. Upright A and
backstop B are adjustable by means of
bolts fitted in slots cut in the baseboard.
Slots are provided in A and C to receive
a three-cornered file, and A is also drilled
at the angle illustrated in another of the
photographs to take either a file or a
glass cutter.
A lightweight bottle can be cut merely
by rotating it in the cradle in contact with
a file that has been broken off short to pro-
vide a sharp edge. For glass tubing, place
the uprights close together and use the file
lying across them. After this treatment,
bottles having thin side walls will snap
apart cleanly and evenly with a, light tap.
Rather than chance breaking heavier
bottles or small square bottles with thick
corners, wrap them twice with soft string
at the file mark and soak the string with
a few drops of alcohol. Light the string
and, when the alcohol has burned away,
quickly remove the string and slowly low-
er the bottle, mouth up, in a container of
cold water. I t will separate into two parts
with an audible snap.