While many fantasize about working in a glass office on the top floor, some of us would rather make that office. Seeing how you’re here, you’re probably one of the latter, or you’re at least trying to become one.
On your journey to becoming a glazing professional, you’re going to have to learn a lot of things and jump through many hoops before you can call yourself a pro.
One of the things you’ll have to learn is which tools you need in your arsenal because there’s only so much you can do with your will, determination and two hands. And, seeing how there are so many tools you could use, we wanted to narrow down the list to five essentials.
So, to prevent you from combing the world wide web trying to figure out which ones you need and which ones you don’t, we’ve decided to do it for you. So, without further ado – here they are.
1. Safety Tools
The first thing you need in your toolkit is the safety tools. This includes things like protective glasses, gloves and a helmet.
You might be thinking, “I don’t need a helmet, I’m not going to be working on a construction site.” But trust us, you’ll want to have one handy just in case something falls and hits you on the head.
As for the gloves, they’ll come in handy when you’re handling glass or other materials that could cut your hands. And the last thing you want is to get a nasty cut that could potentially ruin your whole day.
The same thing goes for glasses. You might not think you need them, but one tiny piece of flying glass could ruin your day (or worse). So it’s better to be safe than sorry.
2. Essential Hand Tools
Now that we’ve covered the safety tools, let’s move on to the essential hand tools. This includes things like a glass cutter, hammer, tape measure, putty knife, block lever and window scraper.
A glass cutter is a must-have if you want to be able to cut glass without chipping or breaking it. And while you can find them at most hardware stores – we recommend getting one that’s specifically designed for glazing.
A hammer is another essential tool because you’ll need it to drive nails or apply pressure to other materials. And, as with the glass cutter, we recommend getting one that’s specifically designed for glazing.
A tape measure is also a must-have because you’ll need it to take accurate measurements of the windows you’re working on.
A putty knife is another essential tool because you’ll need it to apply putty to the window frame. Putty is used to seal gaps and cracks in the frame so that the window can withstand bad weather and other elements.
A block lever is another tool you’ll need because it’s used to apply pressure to the glass when you’re putting it in place.
And, last but not least, a window scraper is also an essential tool because you’ll need it to remove old sealant and putty from the frame.
3. Glazing Robot
A glazing robot, also known as a vacuum lifting robot, is a must-have for any glazing professional. It’s used to lift and move heavy pieces of glass you wouldn’t have been able to move otherwise. Not only does this make the job easier, but it also reduces the risk of injury. And, as an added bonus, it can also help you get the job done faster. A lot faster.
However, there are a lot of these things – all of them designed for different kinds of use. The cpslift.com alone supplies a range of glazing robots to UK customers, for indoor to outdoor use, so why not look at one of their models and see which features are essential when choosing a glazing robot for outdoor use.
For example, you’ll need:
- The robot should have a particular number of suction cups, preferably six. This will give it the ability to lift up to 1000kg.
- The pressure gauge should be located on the detachable remote control handset, so the operator can keep an eye on it at all times.
- There should be an emergency stop button located on all glazing robots, but especially on the cordless remote control handset.
- The robot’s arm should be articulated, so it can reach and place glass panels in difficult places.
- It should be easily operated and maneuverable, so the operator can position it close to the work area.
4. Circular Glass Cutter
A circular glass cutter is a must-have for any glazing professional. This type of cutter is designed to cut perfect circles in glass and can be used to create everything from decorative elements to functional windows and skylights.
The best circular glass cutters are made from high-quality materials like tungsten carbide, which ensures a long cutting life and precise cuts. Look for a cutter with an easy-to-read scale and a comfortable grip, and be sure to get one with a powerful suction cup that will hold the center of your circle steady while you cut.
5. Glass Drill
Depending on what it is that you do, a glass drill may or may not be one of the tools that you need. If you work with a lot of glass, then it is an essential tool.
A glass drill is specifically designed to drill through the glass. It is different from a regular drill bit because it is made out of tungsten carbide or diamond dust. These materials make the drill bit more durable so that it can withstand the hardness of the glass.
The glass drill also has a sharpened tip which helps it to penetrate the glass more easily. The tip is also coated with a lubricant which helps to reduce friction and heat build-up. It is also critical to use water as a lubricant. This will help to cool down the drill bit and prevent it from overheating. It is also important to go slowly at first and increase the speed gradually.
Glass drills are available in a variety of sizes. The size that you need will depend on the thickness of the glass that you are working with. If you are not sure which size to get, it is always better to err on the side of caution and get a larger size.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a few essential tools that every glazing professional needs. And, while we may have led you on in the beginning by saying there are just five of them, you’ll agree that some of these just don’t work without the others and there’s no way you can only work with five tools.
Hope you found this useful, and feel free to contact us if you need any help in choosing the right tools for your business!