OK guys, i'm building a cherry china cabinet and the front of it is curved. The upper doors, like most china cabinets are to be glass panels. I'm comfortable with the wood bending process, but is there a way to bend the glass? I'm guessing heat and bend in a form, but surely it's not that simple. Any tips? At worst, I can contract it out, but a new challenge is always welcome.
"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it." -Theodore Roosevelt
That's what I was afraid of. Thanks for the quick response. I was hoping for a new challenge, but it's not the glass tubing we could bend w/ the bunsen burner in school haha.
"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it." -Theodore Roosevelt
trytobehandy, As Nona already advised bending glass really is a specialty that needs to be left to the professionals who have the right equipment and experience doing it.
Just a couple of tips for your project;
1) Be sure to build the doors first then match the cabinet and glass to that curve. Trying to match the curve of the glass or cabinet is much more difficult because of spring back on the thinner components of the doors...so build the doors first, cabinet next and then match the glass to that curve.
2) When ordering your glass be sure to give them a very accurate template or better yet would be the actual doors to prevent any mistakes.
3) Be sure to order Tempered or Safety Glass only. Regular glass is less expensive, but it can break much easier and if it does it will be much more dangerous, so this is not where you want to save money on your project. You may even want to consider using Lexan as a slightly less expensive alternative.
4) When installing the glass be sure to use Space Balls. The Space balls act as a cushion between the glass and frame as well as hold the glass more firm so it doesn't bang or rattle when you open or close the doors. Space balls are available from most woodworking suppliers, but if you have any problem finding them you can make your own from 100% silicone (I do this all the time). Just lay out a few 1/4"-3/8" beads on some wax paper. When they are dry/cured, just peel them off the wax paper and use a scissor to cut out little balls or small strips that will fit into the grove of the frame.
But this is just my opinion, I hope it helps.
Good Luck! Work Safe & Have Fun!! Goldenwood
Posts: 1643 | Location: Staten Island, NY | Registered: Sep 27, 2003
