Glass problems...

[lawrieh]

I recently bought 20sheets of standard 2mm float glass, from the same supplier that I have bought from for a few years. I have 2 problems with it.

1. I often make batches of standard sized frames that are 915x700 and 915x522. The recent batch of glass is 920mm wide which means I have to trim 5mm strips of glass, for me its not easy and very time consuming.
2. the glass has, as someone else has recently described "leopard spots" on the glass is very difficult to clean using microfibre cloths (as bought from the same supplier of the glass) and Nilglass.

Does anybody else have these problems. I have pre cut around 30 frames to take 915 glass so I cant just make the sides a fraction longer.

Can anybody recommend a glass supplier with consistent product?

Thanks

Lawrie

[Jamesnkr]

I have pre cut around 30 frames to take 915 glass so I cant just make the sides a fraction longer.

It's no help to you to point out where you went wrong...

I don't have (too much) trouble taking 5mm of a piece of 2mm glass. I score it on my Excalibur and I use a pair of running glass pliers on it.

https://lionpic.co.uk/p/8277/Fletcher-T ... 0mm-%2f-6-

[IFGL]

I have noticed it coming through at 920 for about a year now, 5 mm should not be too difficult to take off.

[Roboframer]

....the glass has, as someone else has recently described "leopard spots" on the glass is very difficult to clean using microfibre cloths ....... and Nilglass.

Does anybody else have these problems...................
Can anybody recommend a glass supplier with consistent product?

The patterns on the glass I am familiar with look more like mackerel skin and they are formed by creases in the interleaving paper, probably when damp - even if ever so slightly.

I find it almost never a problem when the paper is white, smooth and shiny, almost like greasproof paper; more likely when the paper is grey and absorbent. I've even had it on TruVue UV glass which is interleaved with brown paper but never ever on artglass, which is interleaved with polythene.

As for consistency I think all suppliers like a bargain and will change things as it suits, my current batch of standard glass is pretty minging, covered in thick deposits of dust, almost like it was powdered float (can you still get that stuff?) then they changed their minds!

.

[IFGL]

i think lots of it has been poor lately, it happens on occasion

[pramsay13]

I would order another 20 sheets and ask them to check they are 915mm before sending.
I could take 5mm off easily enough but for 30 frames it's a bit of a faff.

[prospero]

Better than cutting 920mm frames only to find the glass is 915.

Yes, I have done that.

[Roboframer]

It's supposed to be 3 x 4 ft and 3 ft is actually 914.4mm, not 915 and if you're actually getting 920 you're getting more for your money

It's never exact, nor are backing boards or mount boards, you cannot expect your supplier to ensure their stock is so consistent that you can depend on not having to make adjustment. You have the option of buying much larger sheets or even having them cut to size.

[Steve N]

I'd be more if it came in at 910mm instead of 915mm

[lawrieh]

Bugger, it looks like something I am going to have to live with. I was hoping to make everything in bulk (by my standards) and leave unassembled until needed as my workshop is so small each step is a shag and hassle setting for each stage of the frame making process. It would appear this isnt the way to do it!

I will invest in some glass pliers and see if that makes the job easier (I currently use a T-square, although I am on the lookout for a wall cutter if anyone has one they are selling) even if it does it's still a few hours trimming glass that I didnt have to do before.

Which companies sell glass in the UK? Is variable sized glass something to be expected from them all?

[Roboframer]

It's not something most would pay much attention to, my current batch from Centrado is 920.

[IFGL]

I am pretty sure ours only comes 920 now, like I mentioned earlier it's been that way for about a year

[dreckly]

Glass delivered today from Wessex 915

[IFGL]

I got 99 problems but da glass ain't one.

[Graysalchemy]

Your so gangsta darren.

I use wessex glass and haven't had any problems some times i could put pictures straight in without cleaning ( i wouldn't).

[IFGL]

I am actually sippin patrone as we converse.

[lawrieh]

Well its Wessex I get my glass from and its a real, real, real pig. I have spent 40 minutes trying to clean 1 sheet of glass. Its got leopard spots, its got huge circles from the suction cup touched it, its got tiger stripes, its 920 not 915, its got everything wrong with it, towards the end of 40 minutes of cleaning I noticed scratches whilst I was holding it up to take pictures to send Wessex, the scratches are not from my cleaning and not of my making. ARGHHH

If people are getting glass coming in at 915mm from Wessex I suspect its old stock, just wait....

As an alternative supplier I have heard Centrado mentioned on this thread and I just found KC Glass in a google search, KC look like they specialise in picture framing glass but perhaps only the pallet load and perhaps not to London. Who else can I try for order quantities of around 30 sheets of 36" x 48" 2mm float??? (delived to London)

Thanks

Lawrie

PS. thank you James for the mention of running pliers for slivers, mine have arrived and they do help a lot.

[IFGL]

I used to use KC glass, very good but minimum of a case (250 sheets is), trouble is we are using less and less of normal float.

[Not your average framer]

This might seem obvious when you think about it, but whenever temperatures start to drop, people start talking about glass problems. If you are trying to cut glass a lower room temperature does make cutting glass more troublesome and glass cleaner also works better above a certain temperature.

Cutting and cleaning glass straight after delivery is asking for trouble on a cold day and it also takes longer than you think for a large stack of sheets of glass to warm up to room temperature.

[Steve N]

I would not use "microfibre cloths" to clean glass, I use tork wipes from Lion, but even a old pillow case would be better than "microfibre cloths" IMHO