Running Pliers: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 09:22, 23 April 2024
Running pliers are a simple tool for breaking or starting a Break, also known as a "Run" on a Score line. These pliers are an alternative to using your hands while also increasing the force applied via leverage.
There's many similar tools and methods to these pliers, if you want to learn more check out How to Break Glass.
Tool Design
All types of running pliers have identical jaw structures.
- The top jaw is concave or notched so it applies force on either side away from the center. Some will be marked with a straight line down the center.
- The bottom jaw is convex, a single point or bar in the center that meets the center of the top jaw.
Some runners will have a screw in the handle side of the head to set a stopping point so you can't crush the glass with them.
Runners will come in two head material types. Either plastic or metal with rubber covers. DO NOT REMOVE THE RUBBER ON METAL ONES!
Tool Anatomy
Temporary list, like the rest.
- Handles
- Pivot/Fulcrum
- Stop Screw
- Top Jaw
- Bottom Jaw
- Rubber Cover (Do not remove)
- Direction Line
How it works
Runners apply an upward force below the Score placed in the glass while applying a downward force at the edge of the jaws, Think like breaking a stick. Because of this runners have a minimum width of glass required to work, if the glass does not reach both sides of the top head they will have diminished effect or not work at all. In those cases using a Combo Pliers or Breaking Pliers would be a better option.
This force is also applied in a perpendicular line, this can cause the resulting break to wander to whatever is the weakest point in the glass and not necessarily the score line. Changing the angle that the pliers are applied can change how the break forms or moves.
Due to the score being a weak point in the glass the pressure applied will "open" the score up, thus breaking the glass in two instead of smashing the glass into many bits.
Tips, Tricks, FAQ
- Runners with long handles are better than runners with short handles as it allows you to change your grip on the handles to change the leverage applied. Holding closer to the end will require less force from you to apply the same force at the head!
- When breaking out complex shapes, starting the break on either side of the line can be help greatly.
- Runners work at any point in the glass as long as the glass isn't touching the back of the jaw. Don't be afraid to get it on there deeper!
- My metal runners are missing the rubber covers! What can I do?
- You can get away by wrapping them in some masking tape if you need them right now, otherwise you can buy new covers from most glass shops!
- My metal runners have holes in the rubber covers! What should I do?
- If metal is touching the glass it's time to flip them or buy replacements. Most glass shops carry new covers!
- The glass is just shattering!
- Make sure you are using the runners in the correct direction. If the head has a line on it, make sure it's on the side of the glass with the score. Also make sure that line is lined up over the score.
- My break won't follow the score!
- Glass is a very complex material with internal Stress we can't see and all sorts of other Defects or features like Textures that change how the glass reacts. Ultimately the glass is always going to break in the easiest, weakest path posible related to the force applied. Thus if you are trying to break a tight curve, there's a good chance it will jump off the score at some point and snap the other part of the glass. Refer to How to Cut Curves for more detailed instructions.
- Even if I squeeze hard the glass won't break!
- If you have a line on the top jaw make sure it's lined up so the score is right in the middle of the runners! They won't work otherwise. If you did that and it still won't break you could have a Bad Score or the glass is thick and will be more difficult to break.