View Full Version : DIY Glass edge polishing solution
The Grizz
03-26-2013, 02:04 AM
So I am working on a certain tank ATM & was a little unhappy the way the edges where finish by the glass cutter as they where sanded by a coarse hand belt sander.
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/300%20gal%208%20footer/D4B932F4-F3E9-4F9C-972C-590C9E182627-6927-00000AA766068CFC_zpscba26a63.jpg
I have been trying to find a way to polish out the edges without having to do it by hand & take forever. I just happen to have to go to KMS Tool for another matter & asked my buddy David if he had any ideas.
He took me to what he thought would work & we discussed the best procedure to accomplish my goal. This is similar to what he suggested, I didn't buy this pack but bought 4 individual disc's.
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/300%20gal%208%20footer/a8838fa9d91d0c6fd2673679873a0a32_zps9c52f0b4.jpg
These disc's have a hook & loop backing & require a backing pad with the same. I used this tool with the backing disk & started with the 400 grit to remove all the rough surface. Then went right up to the 3000 grit just to see what the results would be
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/300%20gal%208%20footer/c316ec7868071c4748921089ef431d31_zps856705cf.jpg
And this is it..........
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/300%20gal%208%20footer/799E4EFB-4A86-4207-857F-446C8A828855-6927-00000AA76C90F474_zps6be5d27a.jpg
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/300%20gal%208%20footer/73B71AB6-21D0-4923-B8B6-E0E9DF0400AB-6927-00000AA773891559_zps16073e5c.jpg
This side is 24" long & took about an hour & a half.
sphelps
03-26-2013, 03:52 AM
1.5 hours at a welders rate... Should have ordered glass already polished ;)
Nice job though.
The Grizz
03-26-2013, 03:59 AM
1.5 hours at a welders rate... Should have ordered glass already polished ;)
Nice job though.
Still cheaper this way :lol:
spit.fire
03-26-2013, 04:02 AM
1.5 hours at a welders rate... Should have ordered glass already polished ;)
Nice job though.
They charge by the inch
The Grizz
03-26-2013, 04:14 AM
They charge by the inch
That & now I can do it myself on any glass edge now that I have a system.
sphelps
03-26-2013, 04:40 AM
They charge by the inch
Yes about $1 an inch, give or take.
The Grizz
03-26-2013, 04:49 AM
Not to mention its not the easy to haul 3 - 8' pieces of 3/4" glass all the way to the big city & back. I didn't expect the cuts to be so rough on some pieces but when it got delivered it was they way it was & I wasn't about to have the hassles of getting it re cut or polished.
sphelps
03-26-2013, 01:30 PM
Hense the "should have" and the ;)
reefgirl189
03-26-2013, 03:01 PM
They use a very similar system to polish granite countertop edges. Equipment isn't cheap but it sure makes all the difference. Nicely done!
The Grizz
03-28-2013, 02:50 AM
They use a very similar system to polish granite countertop edges. Equipment isn't cheap but it sure makes all the difference. Nicely done!
These pads are actually made for granite so I though.......what the hell give it a try. I did try it out on a scape piece of glass before I went anywhere near my big pieces.
The Grizz
03-28-2013, 02:53 AM
Hense the "should have" and the ;)
If you knew what I paid for these large pieces of glass ( one is starphire ) you might understand plus edge polishing was not an option with the glass supplier.
spit.fire
03-28-2013, 04:07 AM
Do you think you could bevel them using the same method?
The Grizz
03-28-2013, 04:18 AM
Do you think you could bevel them using the same method?
Yes deffinately I am giving all edges a nice 1/8" bevel & it looks awesome! I will update with some more pic tomorrow.
The Grizz
03-28-2013, 03:11 PM
As promised here is a shot of a finished edge on one side.
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/Nano%20tank/72F75C58-EE6D-467A-8266-9F0F8196FECB-9499-00000DE8EA682A4B_zps653c63bf.jpg
sphelps
03-28-2013, 03:35 PM
Looks good Greg! People will be calling you to buff out their scratches soon enough.
reefwars
03-28-2013, 03:42 PM
Looks good Greg! People will be calling you to buff out their scratches soon enough.
:mrgreen:
Did you free hand it or create a jig worthy of Norm Abram?
The Grizz
03-28-2013, 05:19 PM
Looks good Greg! People will be calling you to buff out their scratches soon enough.
OH HELL NO!!!! Personally I don't think it would be a good system to use on a viewing surface. Only reason I did this to the edges to to get rid of the sanded rough surface so that the silicone would bond properly.
Did you free hand it or create a jig worthy of Norm Abram?
All free hand, Ross & who the hell is Norm Abram?:biggrin:
All free hand, Ross & who the hell is Norm Abram?:biggrin:
Norm Abram is a "Master Carpenter" that makes a Jig for everything you possibly could make a jig for.
http://www.newyankee.com/
spit.fire
03-28-2013, 06:53 PM
Looks awesome
I think I'm gonna have to buy some of those pads....
And steal my compressor back from my dad :D
The Grizz
03-28-2013, 07:38 PM
Norm Abram is a "Master Carpenter" that makes a Jig for everything you possibly could make a jig for.
http://www.newyankee.com/
OH that dough head!!:lol: Master jig build is more like it IMO:twised:
scubadawg
03-28-2013, 08:29 PM
Looks really good, Alot of time involved
I'm happy my tank was bevel edge and polished at factory including the weir for the over flow:)
gregzz4
03-29-2013, 03:07 AM
Nice work Greg :smile:
I hate sanding ... I lose patience after about 10 mins
The Grizz
03-29-2013, 04:14 AM
Looks really good, Alot of time involved
I'm happy my tank was bevel edge and polished at factory including the weir for the over flow:)
I really can't go wrong with having to do this for my own satisfaction considering I only paid a fraction of what I should have.
Nice work Greg :smile:
I hate sanding ... I lose patience after about 10 mins
Thanks budzz :biggrin: I hate painting ( walls that is ) more then sanding.
Ram3500
03-29-2013, 04:50 AM
I used to use diamond polishing pads for sanding and concrete countertops to a glass like finish. I never new they would work on glass but way not its just another form of stone . Nice work !
JmeJReefer
04-02-2013, 04:02 PM
So I am working on a certain tank ATM & was a little unhappy the way the edges where finish by the glass cutter as they where sanded by a coarse hand belt sander.
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/300%20gal%208%20footer/D4B932F4-F3E9-4F9C-972C-590C9E182627-6927-00000AA766068CFC_zpscba26a63.jpg
I have been trying to find a way to polish out the edges without having to do it by hand & take forever. I just happen to have to go to KMS Tool for another matter & asked my buddy David if he had any ideas.
He took me to what he thought would work & we discussed the best procedure to accomplish my goal. This is similar to what he suggested, I didn't buy this pack but bought 4 individual disc's.
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/300%20gal%208%20footer/a8838fa9d91d0c6fd2673679873a0a32_zps9c52f0b4.jpg
These disc's have a hook & loop backing & require a backing pad with the same. I used this tool with the backing disk & started with the 400 grit to remove all the rough surface. Then went right up to the 3000 grit just to see what the results would be
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/300%20gal%208%20footer/c316ec7868071c4748921089ef431d31_zps856705cf.jpg
And this is it..........
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/300%20gal%208%20footer/799E4EFB-4A86-4207-857F-446C8A828855-6927-00000AA76C90F474_zps6be5d27a.jpg
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/300%20gal%208%20footer/73B71AB6-21D0-4923-B8B6-E0E9DF0400AB-6927-00000AA773891559_zps16073e5c.jpg
This side is 24" long & took about an hour & a half.
About how much we're those discs? Do they have the ability to "round" out the edges a little more? Either way, it is a great idea.
The Grizz
04-02-2013, 04:12 PM
About how much we're those discs? Do they have the ability to "round" out the edges a little more? Either way, it is a great idea.
The discs where $17.99 for each grit & you could round out the edges more if that is what you want but if its for bonding edges you want them as flat & square as possible. You also need a 4" hook & loop backing disc that is around $40.
JmeJReefer
04-02-2013, 04:25 PM
The discs where $17.99 for each grit & you could round out the edges more if that is what you want but if its for bonding edges you want them as flat & square as possible. You also need a 4" hook & loop backing disc that is around $40.
Perfect. Much appreciated. Have the tools. Just need dem discs!
vBulletin® v3.7.3, Copyright ©2000-2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.