How To Build A Jig To Help In Cutting Bevels

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Glass Artists Newsletter - July 2008

You can read our current newsletter here on-line each month, free of charge. We hope you will take the opportunity to let your stained glass artist friends know about the newsletter and if you have students, encourage them to read it.

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In the meantime, we welcome your input and support. Let us know if you have tips and techniques or product information you'd like to share.

Sometimes I just can't believe that the time just slips by so fast. We wait patiently for the weather to turn warm enough to plant the garden and before you know it, it's Fall!

That's kind of the way I've felt about June, it's just slipping by so fast.

It's so fun to build the glass and create designs. We got a call from people in New York who were very happy with the stained glass we shipped to them, it's rewarding, but where did the month go?

We don't just make stained glass! Jeanne is in love with our newest grandchild, #12.

And here's Sarah with Ammon. It seems that she really likes him too!

Last month we showed how to cut glass with a t-square glass cutter. So this month, the next step is how to build a jig for use with your t-square cutter.

How To Build A Jig To Help Cut Bevels

When creating stained glass, it comes in handy to be able to use tools to cut multiple pieces so they are uniform each time. It's quite easy to create a jig for cutting beveled stained glass, and it can be used for years. A jig is a fixture that can be used to speed up repetitive tasks.

	Start with a small board and a piece of wood strip for the strip cutter edge. It should be the same size as the strip you install on your work bench, only shorter (the length of the board for the jig). The cleat is approximately 3/4" X 1-1/2". Put some glue on the strip before attaching the strip.
	Staple the cleat to the board. You can see that I left mine a little long (out of laziness)
	Then cut two strips of wood to hold the pieces of glass in place. Cut a corner off the wood strips so the strip cutter can get in tighter to the glass to be cut.
	Use the bevel or item to be cut to determine where the wood strips should be placed.
	Draw on the strip to mark where to cut off the wood strips so they won't be in the way when cutting the glass.
	Use the strip cutter, first on one side of the bevel and then the other to insure that the cut will be straight.
	Being careful not to move anything, you can mark the spot on the board where the strips are to be placed permanently.
	Then nail them down. When I got done with the jig, I cut the cleat off to the same length as the jig. (since I had been too lazy to do it when I started the project)
	When cutting, mark the length that the bevel needs to be cut off.
	Then set the length of the strip cutter.
	After scoring the glass, rock your hands apart to break the bevel.
	When cutting very small pieces, remember to mark the piece and (as always) turn the bevel upside down and score on the flat side of the glass. Hold it firmly while scoring the glass so it doesn't get tipped over. I have to use pliers to break the small pieces. Rock them apart in the same direction as when using your hands. With the score on top, rock the two pair of pliers away from the score.
	Once you master the art of fixture building, you can build an assortment of jigs for every purpose! Click here to order a strip cutter or pliers for breaking glass!