WINDSHIELD CUTTING

[01Lambiero]

It's a hard river to row.  Even after you ruin two windshields and finally get the third one cut to fit,  you drop it in and then you realize that the bow in the glass is 2" more that was required or you have a 1" gap in the center top of your glass on the top.  It's a battle no matter how you look at it.  But like the rest of our journey in this hobby, we try, back up, and try again.  Then some day we'll sit around the campfire and laugh with tears streaming down our faces.

[minihawn]

thank u for taking the time

[minihawn]

1st pic:: i took the measurements from my APG windshield, roadster(cracked)

2nd pic:: diablo coupe windshield

[01Lambiero]

I don't know why businesses with a water jet don't do more custom windshield cutting.  It looks like money to me.  Does it involve more that setting the glass on the bed and programming the nodes for the jet height and path?  Back to cutting your own.  I checked with a rod shop and they wanted $300+ to cut my glass and no fault if it breaks.  A win, win for them.  I drove over to my local U-pull it and took a few measurements that may help a few of us low budget builders as well as the cost of the windshields.  I didn't have time to measure the outward bow and will do that later as well as the other missing measurements below.  If you are looking for a custom sized windshield, maybe these numbers will be of help.  There are 3 or 4 nice YouTube videos to watch but remember that these guys know what they are doing.  (Well not the guy with the 3" dewalt grinder anyways) All of my measurements are approximate as most had trim installed and bottom trim also.    Jim

[minihawn]

i may just go to a shop that specializes if i can't do it myself.

[SchulzeA]

I've cut a lot of glass on a water jet. That's the best method for sure.
A diamond grinder bit will do it, but there's a MUCH higher chance that you will fracture the glass.

[minihawn]

Do u offer this service?

[DUBUC SLC]

I did mine waterjet...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aMPctTRT2I

[FauxDiablo]

It is absolutely possible to cut a laminated windshield with a sandblast gun.

It is next to impossible to cut tempered safety glass with a sandblast gun.

[minihawn]

RT::

Thank you, as always great advice. What about the Honda Accord windshield?

[RT]

If you must cut a windshield and don't feel confident in yourself to do it, go to a glass shop.  Tell them what you  need done and ask them if they will/can cut it for you.  They have experience with glass but will probably also tell you they will not guarantee it will not break.
Cutting windshields is not an easy job.  You will have to mark where to cut it.
Windshields are made with laminated glass.  Tempered glass can not be cut.
Early in the Diablo replica history they used a cut down Chevy van windshield.  Initially they could be cut with good success.  Later the windshields were not made in the USA but shipped in from overseas suppliers.  There was something about them that made it very difficult to cut without breaking.  If you have a windshield you need cut, check to see where it was made.  It might be it still can be successfully cut but I would be wary.

RT

[Tusabes]

Make a cut in the fiberglass where ikr picture shows


If you try to squeeze the windshield in without space it will crack the first time you go over a bump

[minihawn]

?

[italianknightrider]

what are you install the windshield in, if it,s a G28 CUT A POCKET on each corner ,for the glass to fit through and have 1/8" above it at the pocket area ,you still need a good metal frame support on the inside of the windscreen surround.  96 Nissan maxima

[pparker]

Has anyone on this site cut a windshield without it cracking immediately or shortly thereafter?