Cutting a glass slide

[EddietheGreat]

I want to cut the end off this slide and was wondering what tool would be the best to use? Also could I use regular sand paper to smooth the cut edge down a little?

 

[bluebublelove]

I've heard an old trick for getting a glass to to break clean in an exact spot.....and it is to soke a rope in alcohol, wrap it around the tube and light it on fire and the pressure most often snaps it where the rope was....but I wouldn't see that as being very practical with such a small stem............maybe a tool like this would be your best bet http://www.scienceartandmore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1630

 

[cooked cook]

I've used a glass cutter (available at most home centers and/or craft stores), and just VEEEERY carefully go up and around a bunch of times, until you get a nice clean line up and around, then it's a matter of tappin it till it breaks at the line. After that, YEAH you can use sandpaper to sand it down. you may have to start with a fairly rough one like 80-100 grit, and then go with a finer paper. Also, be careful not to cut your hand through the sandpaper :wink:
good luck.
cc

 

[magoo]

A glass score or cutter will get the job done.

Be sure to score the slide all the way around (As straight and clean as you can), and then rub water into the score.

When breaking it off, use the edge of a table and lightly tap it all the way around until it snaps off. BE CAREFUL!! I wouldn't want to ruin that nice downstem!

 

[nolavolcano]

I used to have to do this with a nameless that I had, the roor downstems were to long. I would use masking tape, and then a triangle file, and file all the way around the stem and break it off, usually it would not be perfect but it worked well. and the downstem fit.

 

[DickAnubis]

small wet wheel on a dremel.

 

[EddietheGreat]

Thanks to all of you that replied. I tried scoring it with a simple hand glass scorer/cutter but it didn't seem to make a mark in the glass. So I went with the triangle file and after about an hour of filing it down in a circle I got too tired and decided to try and lightly tap the end on a table. I probably should have gone around it some more, because it didn't break completely even. I don't mind though, as it will still be just as use full.

 

[Guest]

for future reference, if you can get use off a bunsen burner setup for 5 minutes you can do this kind of thing extremely cleanly and smoothly, not only getting a nice cut, but then rounding off the glass at the end.
I imagine a handheld torch would accomplish the same thing, just be careful to hold the glass with some thick cloth or some leather (away from the flame!) so when the glass heats up you don't drip and shatter it

 

[cooked cook]

Eddie, you can still even that up a bit with sandpaper. Either use some sandpaper wrapped around a wood block, or you could even use a power sander if you're careful. I know this sounds crzy, but I actually have tried it. I bought a pull out stem from some cheezy head shop in florida which didn't fit the downstem because it was too thick, and sloppily blown out of round. The lovely proprietor was pretty much like "you're outa luck" Thanks buddy way to stand behind your product, so I decided I had nothing to lose, and started with hand sanding. After that was taking too long, I broke out the Mouse sander and let er rip. Evened it up real nice.
good luck.
cc