found a good use for old windshields

[NicksTrix]

thought i'd share a good home grown how to:
i have a good size stack of used bronco glass. some of it is really good, some is scratched, chipped or delaminating from age... being i'm not one to waste anything i took a cracked windshield from a build and cut it into panels for my blast cabinet. the blast supplier gets about 20 bucks for a tempered piece. i got 2 useable panels out of the old windshield.
to cut laminated glass, you use your glass cutter(got mine from lowes). lube the wheel, roll it on your outline of the cut. turn the panel over and repeat the process. take the panel to your bench, holding the cut line just over the edge. snap it in both directions, use a razor knife to cut the laminate film.
if concerened about the edges, use a hand disc sander on them. higher the grit, smoother the finish. i knocked the rough edges off with some 60 grit on a 3" angle grinder. **don't forget your safety glasses**
viola~ clear viewing again in the blaster.

 

[deltarat]

Nick, you never cease to amaze.

 

[72_EB]

That's awesome, Nick. So does the viewing glass have a city sticker in the corner now?

 

[BicksBronc]

That is just good ol' fashion ingenuity!

 

[bax]

I got to get me a blast cabinet and try that!

 

[Michael Homan]

Great idea Nick.

Thanks for passing that along

 

[Steve83]

I didn't think tempered glass could be cut.

 

[ztoolman44]

I didn't think tempered glass could be cut.

Sides are tempered, front is laminated. Would be a real issue for rock chips if the windshield was tempered.

 

[phred]

Great idea Nick!

 

[Justafordguy]

That's a great idea, I just happen to have a cracked windshield behind the shop.;D

 

[Steve83]

Sides are tempered, front is laminated. Would be a real issue for rock chips if the windshield was tempered.

Duuuh! :-[ Brain fart - I knew that! %) Thanks for straightening me out! ;D

 

[Broncoholic1]

Time to fire up the blaster...

 

[JohnJohn]

Good tip Nick.
I have also seen guys put lighter fluid on the crack, light it then pull the pieces apart when the laminate melts.
i use plastic film on the inside of my blasting cabinet glass with peal and stick tape around the sides. They are cheap and you just replace them when they get messed up.
I got them from the company i got the blaster from but i am sure you could make them with stuff from youl local craft supply shop.
its like overhead projector film.

 

[NicksTrix]

john john, the shop that does my window tinting also does race car windshield tear offs. he's offered to do them for me but by that time the conversation comes around the glass is pitted enough i haven't worried about it.
it's a great way to stretch your useage for sure.

 

[Revelation]

Get some NASCAR windshield tear offs for the inside.....