Appreciation post: The old timer who told me to use vinegar on my glass cutter wheel was right

I had a job last month in Phoenix where I was cutting a lot of heavy, low-iron glass for a big storefront. My cutter was dragging and leaving a weak score line, even with a fresh wheel. An older guy I know from the supply house said to dip the wheel in plain white vinegar before starting. I thought it was just a weird old trick, but I tried it out of frustration. The vinegar cuts through the light oil residue from the factory that you can't even see. My scores were clean and the glass broke straight every time after that. I went through about 40 linear feet of material with the same wheel and it still felt sharp. Has anyone else found a simple trick like this that actually works?

2 comments

2 Comments

christopher_hunt10d agoMost Upvoted

Ever try a drop of lighter fluid on a stubborn wheel?

the_nathan10d ago

Yeah that "light oil residue" thing is real. My buddy had the same issue cutting mirror backs, and an old glazier told him to wipe the edge with rubbing alcohol first. It worked like a charm and saved him a ton of hassle. Those old-school tricks are solid gold sometimes.