glass edges

[Tphill]

Hello. I had a local hardware store cut some glass for baffles for a sump. They did nothing to the edges, so they are sharp. What can I do to these glass edges to make them less..dangerous? Thanks.

 

[jsker]

@NowGlazeIT, I have sanded them before, but I am call in someone who knows better:)

 

[Greybeard]

Sandpaper... I prefer emery cloth. Use a wooden sanding block... and be careful!

Professional tank makers generally have a dedicated edge grinding/polishing machine... us DIY folks have no such luxuries.

 

[Maggie321]

I just used my orbital sander with about 180 grit sandpaper.

 

[redfishbluefish]

This is something that takes skill, but they can also be flame polished. Need a torch to do this......and of course, the skill. :D

I've used sandpaper as well.

 

[Tphill]

Don't think I have the skill to do the torch, so I'll use sandpaper. Thanks.

 

[jsker]

Don't think I have the skill to do the torch, so I'll use sandpaper. Thanks.

There you go, @Greybeard has the idea, and so does everyone else. I like the woodblock best;)

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I just used my orbital sander with about 180 grit sandpaper.

This is the closest To what I do.
I have a belt sander with 120 grit for removal and 180-220 for fine polishing. When performing smaller task I won’t break out the belt sander but instead I’ll remove the belt and polish by hand just be sure to wear gloves and goggles should you go this route

 

[jsker]

This is the closest To what I do.
I have a belt sander with 120 grit for removal and 180-220 for fine polishing. When performing smaller task I won’t break out the belt sander but instead I’ll remove the belt and polish by hand just be sure to wear gloves and goggles should you go this route

See, this is why you call in the pros;)

 

[NowGlazeIT]

There you go, @Greybeard has the idea, and so does everyone else. I like the woodblock best;)

I think Greybeard has seen a lot of glass in his day

 

[NowGlazeIT]

See, this is why you call in the pros;)

Thanks man I’m just a Glazier who loves his job almost as much as this hobby

 

[Greybeard]

I think Greybeard has seen a lot of glass in his day

Enough to pay for a custom tank this time around

 

[Skydvr]

Use a wet sandpaper.
I clamp it to a table with a strip of wood across the top so the clamps are not on the glass and to keep even pressure on the glass. Have the glass overhang the table and use an inch and a half to two inch strip of sandpaper (lengthwise). I hold the sandpaper at both ends and work it up and down the edge like a shoeshine would in old movies, but with a bit more care to keep the paper flat against the edge. If you get too far out of parallel with the edge, the paper can tear.
Be sure to keep everything wet (throw a drop cloth or old towel/rags that you can toss when you are done so you don't make a huge mess). The water will keep the dust down (it will get in your lungs and do permanent damage for the rest of your life. Think asbestos) and keep the paper clear so you can get a nice finish.

Although if you are just trying to knock the edge off, a block will be a bit simpler. If you are trying to get nicer edges for the tops of the baffels, the above method works well.