Cutting Table

Recently, I had a discussion with one of my students regarding adding laminated glass cutting as an additional service and a profit booster.  We talked about the glass cutter and all its options.  This post addresses an equally important item for glass fabrication, the cutting table or surface.

The cutting surface is an important piece of equipment for successful glass fabrication.  If your plan calls for a large amount of fabrication, a professionally designed table is recommended.  These tables can cost up to $6000 with many features to choose from.  However, if you plan to fabricate a small number of parts weekly or monthly, you can build your own for a fraction of the cost.

Photo courtesy of C.R. Laurence

A homemade cutting table starts with a supporting frame to reduce the chance of warping.  A good-sized table for auto glass fabrication is 4 feet by 8 feet.  Build a frame with two 2x4 inch by 8-foot boards on the long side and two 2x4 inch 4-foot boards on the short side.  Then support the frame with two center boards evenly spaced between the two short ends.  Nail all ends together.  It may be a good idea to dove-tail or screw and glue the connections together for a long-lasting joint.

For the top, take one-4 foot by 8 foot by ? inch piece of particle board and one-4 foot by 8 foot by ? inch piece of plywood and glue and screw them together.  The plywood should be the top surface and the particle board the underside.  Use a generous number of 1-1/4-inch flathead wood screws and a liberal amount of carpenter’s glue to attach the particle board to the plywood.  It is a good idea to drive the screws from the underside into the top. 

Mount the top to the frame with 2-1/2-inch or 3-inch flathead wood screws and carpenter’s glue.  Drive the screws from the top and countersink.  Place the screws in the corners and then evenly space them along the perimeter of the frame and the center supports.  Fill any of the countersunk divots with wood filler.

Cover the top with an indoor-outdoor carpet, once the wood filler is dry.  The color you chose is up to you, but make sure that the color will not hinder the visibility of a broken score.  The most popular color on professional tables is green or gray.  Attach the carpet to the side of the frame with screws and large washers and stretch the carpet as tight as possible.  Then attach the carpet to the opposite side.  Repeat on the remaining sides.  The beauty of this carpet attachment is that it can be easily replaced when worn or tightened when necessary. 

Place the finished top onto a sturdy leg assembly or base and you have a cutting table that should last you many years.

This simple design can also be downsized for mobile use (4ft. X 4ft.) or adapted to any mounting.  One shop mount it on a wall with hinges and had it stored up on the wall when not in use.

Good luck and happy cutting.

Bob Beranek is president and founder of Automotive Glass Consultants, Inc. and AutoGlassUniversity.com. Bob is also a blogger, is co-author of “The Complete Guide to Auto Glass Installation – A Textbook,” and is the editor of the Auto Glass Journal magazine. Bob started in the automotive glass industry in 1973 and was one of the first techs in the country to obtain the level of Master Auto Glass Technician. During his career as a consultant and trainer, he has developed and conducted training programs for some of the biggest names in the automotive and glass industries and is an active member of the Auto Glass Safety Council. This article was originally published with glassbytes.com.