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 Saw|Ring Saws]], [[Band Saw|Band Saws]], [[Wire Saw|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 In the past there was even special sandstone wheels used to grind glass bevles though these have been replaced by modern materials.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.

Grinder

2025-10-06T21:31:31Z

Admin: 1 revision imported: Local to remote transfer.

Grinders are a simple glass working tool specifically designed for removing small amounts of material at once from glass via the action of [[Grinding]].

== Types of Grinders ==
Grinders can be broken up into a few groups, each with their own specialty and sub-groups. Though there's two main groups, Powered and Manual.

== Powered Grinders ==

=== Table/Bench Top ===
Table top grinders are what you will find in most glass studios. These are small plastic boxes that have a water reservoir and small motor to spin a shaft horizontally with a [[Grinding Bit]] attached. These can then be broken down into water delivery types.

==== Wicking ====
Wicking grinders rely on a sponge, brush or any other type of passive movement of water to the bit of the grinder.

==== Bit Feed ====
Grinders using a special [[Grinding Bit]] geometry that looks like threads and shroud in the work surface to force water up the side of the bit.

==== Pump Feed ====
Pumps that move the water from a reservoir to the bit.

==== Gravity/Drip Feed ====
Either a container of water or a directly plumbed line feeds small drips of water to the grinder bit.

=== Vertical ===
Vertical grinders are as the name implies, vertical. Rather than rotating horizontally the tool rotates vertically and allows the use of larger wheels and more freedom to work the part against the machine. These are made up of two types of grinder.

==== Pump Feed ====
Pumps that move the water from a reservoir to the wheel.

==== Gravity/Drip Feed ====
Either a container of water or a directly plumbed line feeds small drips of water to the grinder wheel.

=== Horizontal/Flat Lap ===
Horizontal grinders or laps are a more specialized type of grinder where a large disk is used to do the grinding. While these can be small they also can be very large. Often used bulk material removal or flattening of sides/faces they are a more precision machine than the others.

==== Slurry Drip Feed ====
These are very unique in that there isn't any grinding material on the head itself when bought but rather a large cast iron plate has a [[Cerium Oxide]] slurry dripped onto it that is then worked into the cast iron by use of the machine to make it abrasive. This is a rather old style of machine thus it's not very common anymore.

==== Pump Feed ====
Pumps that move the water from a reservoir to the disk.

==== Gravity/Drip Feed ====
Either a container of water or a directly plumbed line feeds small drips of water to the grinder disk.

== Manual Grinders ==
Manual grinders is mostly made up of man made materials and isn't really used for much as the effort required is extremely high.

=== Pads ===
Grinding pads are typically made with [[Bonded Diamond]] attached to a single face.

=== Stones ===
Grinding stones are typically made with [[Cerium Oxide]] mixed with a binder and shaped into a brick or stone shape.

Glass Types

2025-10-06T21:31:31Z

Admin: 1 revision imported: Local to remote transfer.

There's lots of types of glass thus this page lists all the types of glass there are and a simple description with an example image. Refer to each page for more information about specifics about that glass.

This page does not contain any [[Glass Coatings]], [[Glass Manufacturing Methods]], [[Glass Textures]] or [[Glass Product Names]] provided by manufacturers. Refer to the individual pages for those.

* [[Cathedral Glass]] - Typically single color see through glass though sometimes people will refer to anything see through as cathedreal.
* [[Opalescent Glass]] - Glass that partly to mostly blocks the view through the glass but still transmits light.
* [[Opaque Glass]] - Completely or near completely blocks the light from passing through the glass.
* [[Ring Mottled Glass]] - Also commonly referred to [[Ring Mottled Glass|Mottled Glass]] this glass is named after the colored rings and mottling that forms during the cooling process.
* [[Aventurine Glass]] - Simply glass that has glitter like metallic flakes within the glass, does not contain mica.
* [[Drapery Glass]] - Glass that has been rolled flat and then scrunched back up to look like folds of cloth.
* [[Wikipedia:Lead glass|Crystal]] - Can also be called [[Lead Crystal]] or [[Leaded Glass]] Specifically clear glass with a high lead content.
* [[Stipple Glass]] - Semi-transparent glass with a waxy look to it.
* [[Collage Glass]] - Bits of very thin glass added to the top of a base glass and pressed into it to attach them. Can also be called [[Streamer Glass]], [[Fracture Glass]] or [[Streamer-Fracture Glass]] depending on the specific glass bits attached.