Trimming/grinding toughened glass?

[markharro]

Well, with any self build you soon become used to the F^%k up after F&^k up that happens and its almost becomes notable when something goes without incident. So we ordered a panel of 8mm toughened glass about 5 weeks ago for a shower door. I spent about 2 hours measuing and cutting a template for it from ply.

 

The top and bottom needed to be slightly different widths to fit the tiled enclosure.

 

Despite the template and the clear measurements written on it for the 2 widths the company was got the top out by 2mm and the bottom out by 5mm. Maybe doesn't sound a lot but it means the panel will not fit into the space we have! Honestly, why do I bother!

 

Anyway, I suspect I know the answer to this already but I take it that its not possible to cut or grind off the small sliver we need removed from toughened glass and that we will need to order a brand new piece?

[JohnMo]

You may be able to polish it back, but be prepared to end up with a thousand pieces, if you go to fast or get unlucky. You will need a diamond coated disc.

 

But if they got the measurements wrong take it back. If you got them wrong...

[Conor]

Take it back to the supplier, get them to cut it to the right size. Though you might find somewhere in the small print saying their tolerances are something like +/- 5mm....

[markharro]

Yes they definitely got it wrong...what I dont understand is how because surely the cutting will be done by a machine and they programme the dimensions in and its accurate? 5mm out of 800mm is not an acceptable tolerance I am afraid.

 

One issue is that the supplier is miles away so I think I will need to find a new (local) company....I dont fancy trying a DIY grind - would a local company be persuaded to attempt this do you think?

[craig]

It’s unlikely that they have, unfortunately, it will be within acceptable tolerances. You’ll need to ask what those are and whether they accept any liability. I suspect not.

 

Don’t try and cut it, it’ll end up in disaster.

Edited Sunday at 11:24 by craig

[Nickfromwales]

My local glass shop works to 2mm tolerance. 
 

Crazy that they got this so far out.
 

Have you spoken to them yet, or just that you fear they won’t resolve this?

[gaz_moose]

i used to work next door to a double glazing glass place and they cut/ground a few car windows to size for me over the years. i know that car screens are laminated but the sides and back are toughened. 

 

can you not knock the walls around?

[SteamyTea]

We have all missed a trick here.

Should have suggested that a normal glass cutter would have done it.

 

Was the company called Poster's Glazing, based in Bristol, by chance.

[Adrian Walker]

3 hours ago, SteamyTea said:

We have all missed a trick here.

Should have suggested that a normal glass cutter would have done it.

 

Was the company called Poster's Glazing, based in Bristol, by chance.

Yes, use normal glass then get it

toughen. 

[markharro]

I have flagged up that I may need to reject it. Will speak to them tomorrow. My point is that I was asked to make a plywood template to get it spot on which I did. I then drew on the precise measurements onto the ply so there could be no error - or so I thought. There was no mention of tolerances when I ordered. 

 

I assumed cutting glass would be done by a calibrated machine and would be a simple task of plugging in the measurements and then pressing go. Anyway, I will see how I get on tomorrow.