Cutting narrow strips

by Brenda Nelson
(Clearwater, Florida)

Hi - wow - great site! I do fused glass, but refer often to stained glass info, and I love your site. My problem is being able to score and break very narrow strips. I've wanted about 1/4", sometimes narrower, but usually 1/4" will do. The piece breaks off short, usually I can only get 3 or 4 inches length, sometimes longer, but not much more. Any hints for breaking off longer/narrower strips? Is there some breaking plier specific for this that I've missed? Thanks for your help and keep up the great ideas!
Brenda Nelson

Answer

Hi Brenda,

Cut a 1" strip, then cut it in half and break it off with your running pliers. Then cut the 1/2" piece in half and break with your runing pliers.

The reason the glass breaks off short is because you are trying to break off a narrow strip from a wide piece of glass. The running pliers must hang over both sides of a narrow strip equal distant, that's why you start with a wider strip, then cut it in half, then half again. You can't have the pliers covering one side of the glass and hanging over the other edge. You'll have problems every time.

Have a look at me running pliers page. there are instructions as well as a video showing how to use them and how to cut strips. You'll find it at Using Running Pliers