How do Wheel Glass Cutters cut glass without cutting skin?

Question

I think it has something to do with the notches cut in the back. (see Hyde Steel Wheel Glass Cutter)

Answer 1

the glass cutting wheel is hardened steel with tiny bits of diamond chips imbeded. it penetrates the surface of the glass and weaken it and then cracks easily.

as for the hand not being cut, its not a knife, its like the diamond you ware on your finger. you can't cut yourself with your diamond, but you can cut glass with your diamond because diamond is harder than glass....TRY IT!

Answer 2

The metal of the wheel is very, very hard steel - harder than the glass, so it can score it or scratch it. That tiny little scratch weakens the glass at that point by over 50%, I'm told, so it tends to break there. It doesn't always break there, of course, but most of the time it will if you get a good score-line.

The notches are there to grip the glass if you want to break off a narrow piece. Stick the edge of the glass into the notch, and use the glass cutter as a lever to break off the thin strip - hopefully, any way.

Answer 3

It makes tiny imperfections in the glass as you pull it across.
Glass will break along the line of least resistance.
Once scored, you put the glass at the edge of a table, place a piece of glass/wood/metal on the top and push down.
Since the glass is supported everywhere but along the score line, you should get a clean break.
The notches in the back of the cutter are designed to help you break off small pieces, that way you're not looking for pliers or a hammer...LOL

Answer 4

It's the little steel wheel that scores the surface of the glass. Glass will break along the score, much like drywall only has to be scored on one side to break cleanly. I think the notches on the back of the glass cutter are used for gripping the edge of the glass when you are breaking narrow pieces of glass.

Answer 5

. A glass cutter does not really cut glass. It makes a series of small fractures in the glass as the concentrated force on the little blade wheel is rolled over it. The glas must then be bent parallel to the series of fractures, with the fractures on the outside of the bend. Because glas fails in tension, the failure of the glass begins where the row of fractures has compromised the face which is subject to the highest tension, the outside of the bend.
. The glass cutter does not "cut" your hand, because you hand does not shatter.

Answer 6

I cut glass for customers every day, but could not cut that stuff. I'm puzzled as to why you've spent the money for the glass, but don't want to spend a few dollars more to have it cut at a glass shop.

Answer 7

scores the surface to give a clean break line. doesnt have to be sharp.

Answer 8

it scratches the glass and then you have to tap it to break it