Do you want to learn how to make your very own drinking glass from the bottom of a bottle? This project shows you how to build a wood jig that will keep your glass cutting tool steady as you make a continuous, tidy score line around bottles, making for a straight break and less sanding.
Next, see Glass Cups 2 of 2: Making the Cup to use your jig to make a customized drinking glass. Create a matching set for your cupboard, or personalize them for your friends, family, or roommates!
This two-part glass cup project introduces working with rough or sharp materials safely through the building and use of jigs and templates. Many tradespeople rely on custom jigs for efficiency, accuracy, and safety, such as glaziers who utilize advanced manufacturing processes to fabricate specialty glass products.
Teachers can use this jig as an example idea for a design challenge for students: give them a glass cutter and the tools and materials you have on hand, then have THEM come up with a jig that supports the cutter and bottle to allow for a consistent score line at a specific height on the glass. This could also be a way to avoid the need for a table saw if you don't have access to one.
Check out Fenestration Association of BC for more information on glazing careers. Special thanks to Zana Gordon for the inspiration and support for this project!
Explore Related Trades Careers: Glazier
Next, see Glass Cups 2 of 2: Making the Cup to use your jig to make a customized drinking glass. Create a matching set for your cupboard, or personalize them for your friends, family, or roommates!
This two-part glass cup project introduces working with rough or sharp materials safely through the building and use of jigs and templates. Many tradespeople rely on custom jigs for efficiency, accuracy, and safety, such as glaziers who utilize advanced manufacturing processes to fabricate specialty glass products.
Teachers can use this jig as an example idea for a design challenge for students: give them a glass cutter and the tools and materials you have on hand, then have THEM come up with a jig that supports the cutter and bottle to allow for a consistent score line at a specific height on the glass. This could also be a way to avoid the need for a table saw if you don't have access to one.
Check out Fenestration Association of BC for more information on glazing careers. Special thanks to Zana Gordon for the inspiration and support for this project!
Explore Related Trades Careers: Glazier
Tools & Materials
Material List
- 2"x4" x ~20" SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir)
- ~4" x 4" plywood scrap, or similar
- six 3" wood screws
- masking tape
Optional
Tool list
- safety glasses
- ear protection
- work gloves
- measuring tape
- pencil
- speed square
- back saw or crosscut saw
- rotary glass cutting tool
- table saw
- cross-cut sled for table saw
- hand drill
- twist bit, same diameter as wood screw shaft
- c-clamps or similar
- vise
- mitre box
- screwdriver
Optional:
Procedure
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Safety glasses and ear protection must be worn for the entire process.
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Measure, layout and cut two 2” x 4” x 10” with a mitre saw or a cross-cut hand saw. If using a hand saw, make sure you transfer your cut line on the face and one edge of the board, with a speed square, to ensure your cut is square
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Angle your table saw blade to 45 degrees and lower it until the blade tip is about 1” above the table. Set the fence so that the cut ends at the midpoint of the 2"x4". Cut this angle into one of your 2" x 4" x 10" pieces. -
Turn your board 180 degrees and cut in the opposite direction to complete the “v” cutout. -
Secure the 2"x4" with the “v” cutout in a vise, then place the ~4” x 4” piece of plywood on the end. Drill two pilot holes with the twist bit, then put wood screws in with the drill and driver bit or a screwdriver. -
Put a bottle in the "v" cutout with its bottom on the plywood, and place your other 2"x4" alongside as shown. Decide approximately how tall you want your glass cup to be: this will be where you score the glass with the glass cutting tool. Mark this on the second 2"x4" and extend the line on the edge and face with your speed square. -
Set the height of the table saw at ½". Use a crosscut sled to make a ½" deep groove at your marked location. Carefully widen the groove with more passes until the glass cutter handle fits snugly. -
Clamp the two 2"x4" pieces together as shown, making sure that the groove for the glass cutter will be exposed at the “top” of the jig (to the left in this picture). Secure the clamped 2"x4"s into a vise. -
Insert the twist bit into the drill, and make two pilot holes, approx. 2” in from the ends. -
Use a screwdriver or the hand drill with driver bit to insert screws into both pilot holes. -
Your jig is ready for use! Check that the glass cutter fits securely in the groove(s) without wiggling side-to-side. Wedge it in place if needed by wrapping some masking tape around the handle. -
Head to Glass Cups Part 2 of 2 to make your very own drinking glass!
Jig Bottom
Extension Challenges
- Adapt the jig so it can be screwed into a tabletop or secured in a vise while being used to cut the bottles.
- Add more grooves in your upper 2"x4" as necessary if you want to make different glass sizes on the jig (leaving at least ½” of wood between the grooves for stability).
