Grinding

Grinding is the action of mechanically removing small bits of material from glass with an abrasive that is harder than glass. Most often done with a water fed Grinder. This does not include Ring Saws, Band Saws, Wire Saws or similar cutting devices. While they operate on the same principle by using abrasives to separate the glass into parts, they would be considered Sawing instead as the intention of the application is different.

The most common abrasives used are Bonded Diamond or Cerium Oxide with Bonded Diamond being the more expensive option generally. In the past there was even special sandstone wheels used to grind glass bevles though these have been replaced by modern materials.

Grinding glass works identically to using sandpaper with wood with the exception that glass is almost always ground wet to protect the worker, the glass and the abrasives of the tool. When glass is ground dry, tiny shards of glass are created which can irritate mucous membranes and other respiratory issues the worker may have. Glass ground dry generates a substantial amount of heat as it's a mechanical interaction, that heat will affect the abrasives on the tool along with the glass giving poorer results or burn up the tool. Water also helps the shards evacuate the abrasives so they do not become impacted and diminish the tool's life or quality of grind.