There are 2 messages in this issue.

Topics in today's digest:

      1. Deep etching thick glass.
           From: p.stevenson@xxxxxx.xxx
      2. Re: Deep etching thick glass.
           From: "Glassman" <glassman@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx


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Message: 1
   Date: 2 Dec 1999 08:31:11 -0000
   From: p.stevenson@virgin.net
Subject: Deep etching thick glass.

Dear Friends,

Someone asked me to etch a shower partition; 10mm thick,
600mm wide and 1.2mtrs high.  When installed, supported
at the bottom edge and one vertical side only (no frame).

My question is, if I use laminated glass, when I get as
deep as the laminate 'sandwich' layer, will this resist
the abrasive effect, same as the stencil?

and also...

If I use tempered glass, will the glass allow me to get
that deep and then once it's done, will the etched areas
of the panel become weakened and therefore dangerous to
use in a public place because of the deep engraving?

The glass doesn't *have* to be 10mm.  What would you use?

Your thoughts and ideas would be appreciated, thanks.

Belated happy St. Andrew's day and bye from sunny UK,

Paul Stevenson.

www.artemisglass.co.uk


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Message: 2
   Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 04:38:04 -0800
   From: "Glassman" <glassman@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx
Subject: Re: Deep etching thick glass.

Hi Paul,

Nice to make your acquaintance, my name is Arthur Montpetit.  I recv'd this
email and would be happy to help you with some advice.

First, your question regarding laminated glass...I would suggest that this
type of glass be used in surface etching only.  Any deep cutting of this or
even tempered glass are in my view dangerous.  If you managed to deep cut
the laminated glass without problems such as cracking or exploding
(depending on the type of laminated) I did try some laminated glass at one
point in my carreer and it was a disaster...Once I got to the plastic
lamination, I was able to sandblast thru it using fairly course sand...but
that's when disaster struck.  The glass was for a sun roof...once in the sun
the heat caused the glass to virually explode...

Your question on tempered glass,  for public and safety this glass is made
for its durability and it's non sharp pieces when broken...but if
sandblasted as a deep cut then this glass become extremely unstable and
unpredictable therefore I highly recommend that you never deep cut this
glass.

I can recommend a light shade etching for this tye of glass...I have pics of
this on my web site if you care to visit.
http://westwood.fortunecity.com/lacroix/789

I hope that I was able to shed some light on your principal questions
relating to deepcutting tempered and/or laminated glass.

My thoughts on the type of glass to recommend would be to provide your
customer with a shower door that is shade etched and using the tempered
glass as the canvas.

I would not suggest regular plate glass as this is and would be a dangerous
glass to use in this situation.  Unfortunately, your choice for glass will
be limited but your customer need not be disappointed...a design that is
surface etched and or shade etched would be sufficient for the tempered &
laminated glass still giving your client the design they want and the
knowledge knowing that safety was never comprimised...

I hope that I was able to give you some ideas or suggestions.  I just
recently added a glass discussion board/forum to my site and if you should
have any more questions please visit and add your question there, I would be
please and happy to see this board get up and running....hope this will be
of service to you in the future.

Thanks for sending your questions...I was pleased to be able to make
suggestions.

Sincerely yours,

glassman

Arthur Montpetit

http://www.ontarioeast.net/~glassman
http://westwood.fortunecity.com/lacroix/789

email: glassman@ontarioeast.net