This is a two part question:
First, I am the new owner of some starphire plates with some damage. I'm contemplating getting them trimmed down, but in the past when I've ordered from glass shops in SF they don't guarantee the accuracy closer than 1/4". I'm looking for a shop that will cut down two 48"X24"X1/2" panels to 36"X24"X1/2" with enough accuracy that they could be used as front and back panels for a tank. I'd also need a bottom panel cut and (possibly) drilled, and possibly a black end depending on price. I'd want all pieces polished as well for a finished look. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a shop that would be willing to do this.
For the second part of the question, I'm wondering how someone learns these skills? I'm an avid DIY'er and I have lots of ideas for glass tank projects, and I've been playing around with cutting my own glass for a while. Unfortunately, I suck at it. I took a 29G and made a sump out of it with a bunch of custon cut baffles and mounting tabs, and I managed to turn an entire panel of a store counter that had been thrown away in the steet (about 48X30X3/8) into scraps to get it done. Add to that, as a finished project I'm glad it's something I keep behind closed doors.
I've never found a glass shop here in SF that has really ever impressed me, but I'd love to find an opportunity to "intern" or volunteer some time doing shop work to pick up some glazier skills from a good shop. Kind of throwing this out there on the off chance someone has any ideas. I've toyed with the idea of taking a class at Cradle of the Sun, but I'm actually more interested in the commercial side of things, not business details but larger panels with polished edges and such, instead of thin colorful small pieces.
-Gusty
First, I am the new owner of some starphire plates with some damage. I'm contemplating getting them trimmed down, but in the past when I've ordered from glass shops in SF they don't guarantee the accuracy closer than 1/4". I'm looking for a shop that will cut down two 48"X24"X1/2" panels to 36"X24"X1/2" with enough accuracy that they could be used as front and back panels for a tank. I'd also need a bottom panel cut and (possibly) drilled, and possibly a black end depending on price. I'd want all pieces polished as well for a finished look. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a shop that would be willing to do this.
For the second part of the question, I'm wondering how someone learns these skills? I'm an avid DIY'er and I have lots of ideas for glass tank projects, and I've been playing around with cutting my own glass for a while. Unfortunately, I suck at it. I took a 29G and made a sump out of it with a bunch of custon cut baffles and mounting tabs, and I managed to turn an entire panel of a store counter that had been thrown away in the steet (about 48X30X3/8) into scraps to get it done. Add to that, as a finished project I'm glad it's something I keep behind closed doors.
I've never found a glass shop here in SF that has really ever impressed me, but I'd love to find an opportunity to "intern" or volunteer some time doing shop work to pick up some glazier skills from a good shop. Kind of throwing this out there on the off chance someone has any ideas. I've toyed with the idea of taking a class at Cradle of the Sun, but I'm actually more interested in the commercial side of things, not business details but larger panels with polished edges and such, instead of thin colorful small pieces.
-Gusty