To: atm{at}shore.net
From: tkrajci{at}san.osd.mil
Reply-To: tkrajci{at}san.osd.mil


> From: "Frank Q" 
>
> Here's my suggestion at splitting the 3" thick blank into 2 x
1.5" thick
> blanks...
>
> Grind a groove around the cylindrical surface of the blank....
>
> Put the blank on a grinding table and put a length of thin wire in the
> groove.
> The wire should go around about 75% of the circumference - that way the
> operation takes less time and more importantly, it will cut through the
> blank
> exactly where you want.
>
> Put some tension on the wire, spin up the grinding machine, feed grit into
> the
> groove, turn off your brain etc etc etc....
>
>...Anyhow, that's my suggestion. I can see a few problems with it but they
> can be overcome with a little imagination....

As you cut with the wire into the glass (while the table is rotating)...you
cut a deep groove into the glass.  As the groove gets deeper, you have a
heavy, unsupported 'shelf' of glass, putting more and more stress on the
smaller and smaller section of uncut glass.  How do you support the glass
shelf, while also allowing the glass to rotate?  The wire and 'shelf
support' would interfere, no?

As I see it, you may have to keep the glass stationary, and move the wire
or other cutting blade in a back/forth motion.  Then you will be able to
support the growing 'glass shelf' without interfering with the wire/blade. 
Or is my imagination letting me down here?

Tom Krajci
Tashkent, Uzbekistan

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