Cutting Thin Glass

[FUBAR62172]

Hey Guys
I need to machine a profile out if a microscope slide pc of glass?

#1 What is best way to hold it because of how thin it is?
I was thinking double sided tape but what would be best way to remove it afterwards? Or some kind of vacuum set up

#2 Should I cut it in a water bath? Or just with coolant?

#3 I'm machining it on a Bridgeport retrofit and do not have high speeds will that be OK?

#4 I What would be the best tooling to use? I'll need appx a .062 corner rad

Thanks for your help

Mike

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[LeeWay]

I don't have a clue really, but none of what you just said sounds right.
I suppose you will be using diamond bits?
If you have enough spares, I would say this will warrant a bit of testing.
I am interested in the results.
Hot glue may work too.

[FUBAR62172]

I don't have a clue really, but none of what you just said sounds right.
I suppose you will be using diamond bits?
If you have enough spares, I would say this will warrant a bit of testing.
I am interested in the results.
Hot glue may work too.

Yes I'll be using a diamond bit But I'm not sure what type or grit I should use
as far as holding it down I've gotten the following suggestions
Flake shellac
#9 wax
cyanoacrylate glue

[LeeWay]

Glass is cheap.
Give it a whirl.

[BobVanDyke]

I'm sorry, but don't bad things happen to people that breath in tiny glass chips? I would certainly protect myself.

[aarggh]

Normally glass would be manually shaped on a grinder spindle, if it's a simple profile your after that can be followed along an outline manually, maybe setup a grinder or abrasive bit in the mill quill lowered down, and guide the glass along the pattern?

Machining glass requires absolute rigidity, anything less and it will break.

cheers, Ian

[awerby]

You might try scribing the glass with a single-point diamond tool and breaking it to the profile. That would go a lot quicker than trying to rout it. Double-sided tape would work to hold it down, or a vacuum pod. Some lubrication would be advisable. The spindle speed wouldn't matter, since you wouldn't be spinning the tool. A spring-loaded toolholder might help.