Glass Bed- Jig for cutting corners by Spacecat66

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

I created this little jig so that I can consistently cut the corners off of the glass that I'm using for my printing surfaces. I'm using cheap picture frame glass that I recover from broken picture frames I find discarded (usually 2-3mm thick). I've never attempted to cut borosilicate, so your mileage may vary.
Use of this jig requires a glass cutter. I also recommend using some cutting oil (kerosene, 3-in-1, Mineral Spirts, and others work too), and a pair of pliers for breaking the corners of the glass away (running pliers or breaker grozers are what a glass cutter would use, but I find regular old pliers to be fine). Always break in the direction opposite the score-side of the glass. You can sand or file the cut edges of the glass to eliminate any shards. Wear safety goggles throughout this process.
I found it easiest to rest my palm on the glass while holding onto the jig's top handle in my fingers.
Hopefully the photos can guide you through the process. I've cut glass for both my Monoprice Select Mini v2 (pictured) and my Monoprice Maker Select Plus. I'm guessing most other varieties of print beds have a similar screw configuration.
Notes: This jig was designed for a Toyo-brand glass cutter, but I imagine most glass cutting heads are about the same dimensions. I'd recommend watching a video or two about glass cutting (also look for stained glass cutting videos- there's tons of them), and try it out a few times on some glass that you can afford to lose.
If you're cutting with the right amount of pressure, you should hear a satisfying ripping sound. Make sure to go from one edge of the glass to the other without lifting the cutting wheel or going backwards. Do not attempt to score over an existing score (doing so will make a really ugly fractured break and will usually create a lot of little shards).