Get Crafty

Besides the unique Bottle Cutting kit, what else will you need ?

 ·         A waterproof working surface (waist height), a standard kitchen sink will work just fine.

·         A waterproof tray to hold/catch excess water.

·         A pressurized or trigger spray bottle for cold water (this is for directing cold water at the score-line).  Please DO NOT us the pump-action spray guns (Windolene type), as the spray is not consistent enough.

·         A plastic funnel and jug.

·         Boiling water, slightly cooled.

·         Gloves or oven mitts. 

Now you are ready to begin …  

Practice makes perfect.  As bottles are made from a range of different materials, some cut more cleanly and easier than others.  A score-line on the round shoulder or curve of a bottle will give you problems!  “Score” only on straight vertical sections.  With “soft hands”, a good ear and a bit of trial and error, you will soon achieve 90% success in separations.  Yes, you must expect to discard at least 10% due to bad breaks.  With practice you can get close to 100%.  As Gary Player once said, “The more he practices the luckier he gets”.  The same applies to bottle craft.

Step 1

Washing your bottles

Soak your bottles in water to remove labels.  Hot water is quicker although soaking overnight in cold water works just as well.  Ensure that outside of the bottle is totally clean of residue or adhesive glue. 

 Step 2

Making the score-line 

Ensure that your bottle is positioned on a smooth surface and that the cutter is mounted securely on the tope of the bottle.  Steady the bottle cutter with one hand whilst rotating the bottle evenly with the other.  Listen for the soft grating sound of the cutting wheel on the glass whilst you make an even score-line around the bottle, making sure that you do not double over the start of the line.

 Step 3 

Separating the two components 

After you have made your score-line you are ready for the separation process.  Put on your protective gloves or oven mitts.  Better to be safe than sorry. 

Boil your water and then add a bit of cold water to bring it to the desired temperature.  The ideal temperature is between 95 and 98 degrees.  DO NOT USE BOILING WATER, as this could result in the bursting of the bottle.  Use the funnel and slowly pour water in the bottle to just above the score-line.  Hold the bottle by its neck and direct a fine jet of cold water onto the score-line until you see the separation beginning.  When this happens, chase the “run” by rotating the bottle until the run meets its starting point. 

The separation line should now become more visible until the two sections actually separate.

Step 4 

Smoothing and polishing 

In your kit you will find a length of silicone carbide, wet process abrasive cloth, in 150 grit.  Fix your abrasive sheet to a smooth, stable surface.  A flat piece of glass or wood is ideal and provides a smooth flat finish.  Ensure that the cloth is always wet.  Use a circular motion and gently polish the face of the separation until the edge is opaque or smooth. 

Cut off a piece of cloth, wrap it around a short piece of a broomstick (or a similar round object) and polish the inner and outer edges. To complete the lip-surface (part that goes into your mouth), the surface is polished with a P600 silicone carbide abrasive cloth/paper. This process gives it that polished – glossy surface.

 Step 5 

Gluing the components 

The two separated components can now be glued together using the special UV (ultra violet) Cure Adhesive provided in your kit.  This special adhesive “glue” is used to secure two pieces of glass together.  The glue is activated by ultra violet light.  You can use direct sun light, which usually works well.  Be sure that your use direct rays during the hottest part of the day.  Midday is normally a good time to glue. 

You could also purchase an ultra violet lamp, which would be handy in bad weather conditions; however, this could be a little costly.  Apply a thin, smooth layer of glue to one surface only.  While indoors, position the sections to be glued before placing the glued component into direct sunlight.  Glue sets within 15 seconds when exposed to ultra violet light.  Up to 70% of the strength of the bond is activated with the first 15 seconds.  So do not change your mind in mid-process.