One of the most popular videos we’ve ever shared on Make: (see below) is of Dan Rojas demonstrating how to cut a wine/beer bottle very cleanly using only a light score line and hot and cold water to stress the score and separate the glass. In that video, he uses a conventional glass cutting jig, which will cost you from $20-45. In the video, Dan talks about building a cutting jig in a future video, but as far as we know, that video never happened. There are a number of tutorials for building such jigs online. I like this simple adjustable one that I found on Instructables that uses only a few pieces of wood, some bolts, and the head of a glass-cutting tool that you can pick up for a few bucks.
I bought some beautiful recycled drinking glasses for a family member last Christmas. I was shocked at how expensive they were. With this rig and Dan’s technique, you can make lots of cool glasses for next to nothing.
9 thoughts on “Build an Adjustable Bottle Cutter for 30-Second Clean Cuts”
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How would one cut very thick glass such as a Johnnie Walker scotch bottle?
Chris, I think this technique should work on most wine, beer, soda, and whiskey bottles. You may just have to do multiple heating/cooling rounds. If you end up experimenting, let us know.
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what is the best grit sandpaper to use for a smooth “drinkable” finish?
I really love my G2 Bottle cuttter, comes ready to use, and cost me less than $25 from eBay – I don’t have a router to make such an item as this shows, and would spend way more than I did on the G2. It paid for itself in my first 2 wind chimes I sold ~
I have cuts that look that good but still have trouble getting a good edge.
Would love to hear some finishing techniques.
Nice woodwork! I bought a traditional cutter on Amazon and they have quite a lot for sale: http://amzn.to/1CpAB8p but I really don’t know the difference in quality. Anyway I still can’t make good cuts. Don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Maybe I’ve to build one myself… but I can’t make it as nice looking as yours I’m afraid :-)
I cannot find the instructions on how to make the bottle cutter stand. I have been cutting for over a year. With the cutter I score then dip in boiling water and then dip in ice water. Works good. Still have my share of ragged cuts.
so, you use some wet and dry on the edge?