Glass Cutters

[Anne]

I'm using a Toyo pistol grip cutter which I really like.  Have used this type of cutter for 13 years. I replaced the head on my cutter a couple of years ago and it immediately started to leak.  I talked to my supplier about it and they just replaced it with a new cutter.  That cutter leaked worse than the one that had been replaced, so they sent me another new one.  That one has worked really well for about 2 years and it's recently started to leak again. Frustrating.   I'm sure there are probably other pistol grip cutters out there with more 'lasting ability' but I haven't done any investigating - I thought I'd ask for feedback here.

What do you use/recommend??

[Becki]

I wish I had some suggestions for you,Anne.  I have a Toyo pistol grip and a Toyo stick cutter...I've never put oil in them.  When I use oil I just put a few drops in a jar lid and run the wheel through it.

[meaco]

I use a Gryphon Studio glass cutter and I love it.  I keep oil in it and have never had a problem with it leaking.  When I'm not using it I put it in an old coffee mug with a little bit of oil in it.  Hope that helps!  :)

[JoanFrances]

I have never filled my glass cutter either.  I read a thread on some board that other people were having the same problem with the cutters leaking too.

[Stephen Richard]

When you think about the design of the pistol grip cutters, it is no wonder they leak.  A great deal of pressure is transfered from the horizontal to the vertical (handle to shaft holding the wheel).  Leaks are bound to start where the material flexes.    I have often wondered why these were not made from metal - the plastic just isn't up to the stresses imposed.

By the bye.  I feel the reason pistol cutters are held fondly is that most people using them are trying to press too hard into the glass.  That is if they used less pressure, a pencil style cutter would be better suited.  Of course, there are a number of people with various hand probems which make the pistol cutter better for them.

Still, most people press too hard when scoring the glass.

steve

[Barbara]

I also use the Gryphon studio cutter and love it.  I do keep oil in it and it hasn't leaked yet but I still do roll the cutter on an oiled piece of cloth. may be overkill but is a habit

[Graham]

I wish I had some suggestions for you,Anne.  I have a Toyo pistol grip and a Toyo stick cutter...I've never put oil in them.  When I use oil I just put a few drops in a jar lid and run the wheel through it.

Becki:
I don't know whether you knew it or not but you're a "Dipper". This is an honourable group of persons, who for one reason or another can't be bothered with cutters that may or may not leak, but work just as well without the dribbling or potential dribbling of an oil-filled cutter, of whatever brand.

The first thing to do with a Toyo, in my view, is to take off the head, get rid of that damned spring, and put the head back on, so that the set screw can be tightened, and the thing stops swiveling. That's my opinion anyway.

[Graham]

When you think about the design of the pistol grip cutters, it is no wonder they leak.  A great deal of pressure is transfered from the horizontal to the vertical (handle to shaft holding the wheel).  Leaks are bound to start where the material flexes.    I have often wondered why these were not made from metal - the plastic just isn't up to the stresses imposed.

I disagree. The leaks are not from too much pressure, and the leakage doesn't take place in the plastic portion, but in the brass oil delivery system that holds the cutting head.

By the bye.  I feel the reason pistol cutters are held fondly is that most people using them are trying to press too hard into the glass.  That is if they used less pressure, a pencil style cutter would be better suited.  Of course, there are a number of people with various hand probems which make the pistol cutter better for them.

Still, most people press too hard when scoring the glass.

steve

Jeez! I have to disagree again. I think that people like the pistol grip because it's a tad easier on the hand. I for one, switched about 15 years ago when my hands started to get a bit arthritic. Having switched, I found that I had a better view of where the cutter was going than I ever had with the pencil grip.

My wife uses a pencil and I use a pistol. Our students always had sevearl models to choose from (all Toyo) and about 60% chose the pistol grip, 20% pencil and the other 20% a mix of Thomas Grip, Custom and plastic pencil.

The majority of people asked me to remove the spring and stabilize the cutting head.

Maybe that's just because that's what the instructor uses - so it must be the right thing - I don't know, but that's what happened.

[Anne]

You're right Graham, that's exactly where  my cutter is leaking from (the brass oil delivery system).  Like you I also use the pistol grip as I have some arthritis in my hands, and you're right (again) you get a good idea of where the cutter is going. I'm ok with the head moving but don't like the oil on my fingers.  Maybe I'll drain the oil out of it and use the dipping method, see how that works for me.  I really like this cutter, it would be a shame now to have to try change what works.

Thanks everyone for your feedback, I do appreciate it!

[JoanFrances]

hi all fellow dipper club members from a fellow member  


right from my very first glass score I have been using the pistol grip and wouldn't even know how to handle the pencil style.  At my age it is hard to change lol

[Glassic]

I have a 7 yr old Toyo, it still cuts fine and has never leaked. I also have a pencil Fletcher that cost more than the Toyo and it leaks..   
I lightly roll an inch backwards on my cutting surface to promote the oil flow before scoring the glass.

[Kev]

I've used a Fletcher pencil grip with a Toyo cutting head and love it. It is not a self lubricating, though I have a pencil self lubricating swivel head cutter and hate it. I have a little plastic jar that I placed cotton balls in the bottom of and added oil..I'm a dipper too...always have been, always will be.

[ct4mom]

Dipper here too. I used to use the gryphon cutter but changed to the toyo thomas grip when I broke my wrist and the gryphone was hard to control. I use a small plasyic glass with cotton balls soaked in oil and have had no problems.

[Audrey]

I started out with a pencil, but shortly switched to a pistol after reading comments about them. I have had my Gryphon "Studio" pistol for about 14 months, keep oil in it, and have had no problems so far.  I really do love it.

[Rebecca]

I have several Toyo cutters (for the shop) and put oil in them and have never had a leaking problem.  The one that I use the most is a Toyo Thomas grip that I have had for about ten years and have always used oil with no problem.

I agree with the part of Steve's post that says most people use too much pressure.  I can barely see my score and have consistently beautiful breaks.  Often people come into the shop saying that their cutter is no good and when I get them to demonstrate they score so deeply that chips of glass are flying everywhere.  That's why their breaks go everywhere.

Rebecca

[Becki]

Just curious...does anyone ever cut dry?

[nansea121]

Just curious...does anyone ever cut dry?

I use a toyo pencil cutter that is filled with kerosene and I never make a dry score line.

[PiscesGlass]

Yes Becki, I bought a Toyo pencil cutter that is intended not to be used with oil...I actually like it quite well. I don't use oil w/it and it's still cutting great.
I started out with your basic hardware store glass scorer, which actually worked great for me for many years (hence my propensity for dipping..), but when I stopped working with glass for awhile, they all got rusty and rather than replace them, I bought pistol grip cutters, Toyo's for the most part.  They've always put more cutting oil down than you really need, or the wicks misteriously came out and got lost..so I dip with them also.  Which works for me.
I also agree that most people, at first, or until shown better, tend to press too hard with pistol grips.

[Becki]

I also have a Toyo dry wheel cutter. I like mine too.

[nansea121]

I should also add that I've had my cutter for 8 years and never had a leak problem or excessive oil on the glass. Could be that I was lucky and got a good one:)