I ran into a fellow at a swap meet who told me he's had tempered glass side windows cut by sand blasting. Said it was done as a place that engraves monuments and tombstones. Anyone heard of this?

I've of etching glass like that, but not cutting it.

I doubt that you can do it. When glass is tempered, it actually shrinks the outer surface (including the edges) of the glass. It delvelops so much tension that the glass becomes very tough - as long as the tension remains balanced around the glass. But If you cause an imbalance in the tension by chipping it or cutting it, the whole piece crazes and crumples very quickly. It is possible that a glass shop can have the window annealed so it could be cut. I on't think it could be re-tempered. Laminated glass is much easier to cut and when most cars used laminated glass for the side windows, cutting them down was easy. Tempered is not.

I guess I getting ready to find out as I have already chopped the top on my 77 Elky. I didn't think I would have any problem with the windshield or back glass since they are laminated. I was going to takle the problem with the tempered side glass when I came to that bridge. I'm fairly certain someone at a glass shop can do this. I do have a spare set just in case... if it doesn't I guess I'll be going to Lexan !!!

You can cut it with a water jet. We cut it all the time-some of it is over two inches thick! We use it in our bombproof's and recovery vehicles. The water jet uses an abrasive ( crushed ceramic/ruby etc ) and the extremely high pressure 40 thousand plus psi cuts it like butter. You just have to find a shop that has one and a competent operator. These things aren't cheap. Ours cost us $124,000.00 !!!

Repeat :mad:

Three peat :x

Thanks Heatsoaked, for all 3 responses!!
I do have connections to a waterjet, I had some motorcycle accessories I was vending cut out by a local outfit here in Orlando. I'll check with them when I get a chance. I don't know if the machine will compensate for the curvature of the glass, but I'll ask.
Haven't had an opportunity to contact the monument carving people yet either. I'll be sure to update when I find out.
951Redrocket, let me know how you make out too.

We have a waterjet cutting system here at work. I talked to the operator and he said he can cut "nontempered" glass only. The tempered glass will shatter.

Thanks for the info MOX-CT.
I still think the sand blast cutting might work, I just have to get the time to contact some monument engravers.

i have worked in the glass business for the last 18 years and there is NO way to cut tempered glass. I have ground about a 1/16 of a inch off of tempered glass with a water cooled belt sander. You might get alittle more if your lucky and take your time grinding it.