I have been doing some fun things with glass bottles lately and upcycling them. In this update, I wanted to show:
- My latest video that shows how to cut a glass bottle properly with a home made cutter.
- The idea of personalizing your cut bottle by etching designs into them.
- Then below you can download my free ebook plans which show how to make a durable cutter.
I primarily cut wine bottles with this, but it can also be done with beer bottles, glass jars, etc.
We now offer our own brand of bottle cutters under the name Upcycle EZ-Cut:
- Standard model on Amazon here
- Deluxe model with heat separation tool here
- Ultimate model with heat separation tool & Gloves
- View all Models
Video
Please watch my video which explains a little about the cutter that I made and it shows step by step how to cut the glass.
Note: Although this is minimal, it is recommended to wear eye protection and a dust mask.
Etched Examples
Below are some of the cut wine bottles that I have etched so far.
Download my Plans
Originally, I was going to post this for member’s only in the membership portal here, but I decided to give out a gift for all to use. You can download the ebook with the step by step below:
>> Download plans here!
I hope it helps.
Update: I have made a video which shows how to smooth the edges easily here.
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Hey Eric that is really cool! Just wondering if you could recommend a sand blaster that is not too expensive. I would love to try that. Have only been dabbling with the cream so far and would like to try sandblasting. Thanks.
I don’t know where you’re located, but take a look at Harbor Freight! If you’re on a small budget it’s a good starting point. They have small blasters on up to blast cabinets. Most of the stores have blasting media in small amounts which helps if you don’t have a supplier close or don’t want a whole 20 – 50lb bag.
MAKE SURE you sign up for the email ad! They send 20% off coupons about every other ad. If you have enough friends you can get everything 20% off.
Hopefully this will help those on a tight budget get started!!
Thanks, that was very informative.
Cheers
@ Penni-Jo, as Dan said, check out harbor freight. It depends on what you are looking to do. But it sounds like you’re into the smaller stuff, so I recommend you look at some of the hand held gravity feed sandblasters (such as SpeedBlaster). Just that is quite the step up in quality etchings from the cream. A step up from that is the pressure pot for sandcarved etches.
I like this idea thanks.
Hi
great vid off to maske one of those bottle cutters.
Can you tell me what was that stencil paper called and who can i buy it from.
Thanks again
George
Nice stuff.
Do have or could you do one on how to get the curves on the glasses to come out right ? By that I mean when I do like names they just don’t sit right on the glass/bottle extra. Waste alot of them do to that issue.
Thanks.
If you are referring to stencil applications on glasses that have a curve both horizontally and vertically, those are tough. You just have to get them level by marking your measured lines and cutting a slit in all the wrinkles.
Hi….I would like to know if it is possible to airbrush the flower designs on my glasses? Do you need to prepare the surface after the sandblasting and before airbrushing? How do I do this? and do I need special paint for the glass?
Yes, you can airbrush your sandblastings. I have been doing this lately with permanent glass paint, but if you hand wash your stuff, I am sure most types of paint will hold up since it binds to the etching well.
Dusting off the sandblasting and rinsing it off would be a good idea.
Thanks Eric! I have been cutting wine bottles (to make soy candles) with a wet saw tile cutter using a diamond blade for glass. However, my clean cut ratio is not that great. I will let you know how this works. Thanks for posting and sharing!
Hi. I am a bartender with access to lots of wine and liquor bottles. I loved your video but I’m not creative w the etching part. Could I just keep the labels on as the finished product?
Of course you can- just cut right above the label. The only bad thing is most labels are paper so exposing it to water too much might make it fall apart. Some bottles have a plastic label though which would be no problem.
Thanks so much for the videos on wine bottle cutting and sanding! I’ve been looking for something to do to make some extra money and this looks like it would be perfect! Thanks so much!
This is a great easy budget friendly fixture! Any idea on how to add something to make an angled cut on the bottle?
Hey Eric very cool jig, and thanks for posting the plans as a gift.
Fantastic. I just bought a soda blaster from Harbor Freight. Do you think that will work? I also used to work at a sign company doing weeding, etc. the best way to make sure your type is centered and straight is to run vertical lines at the center point with something that will wash out on your stencil and glass. Run horizontal lines to get your vertical spacing.
I’m going to the dump tomorrow with a long wooden pole with nail through one end to pull out colored bottles until the authorities catch me.
If you use the soda media, it will not work. I am not sure if you can substitute other types of media in those soda blasters. If you can, then it will work.
Hi there Eric, You are so, so cleaver,I’m a member of your etching etc group, however, I know it’s silly, but I should have known that a talented person like yourself would also cut your bottles as well, DER!!! must be old age getting through to me????
Anyway, I haven’t seen your plans for your cutter yet, but my man seems to think he can make it, which he will, as he is pretty clued up at designing!!! he’s got the gear so he will!!ONE DAY???
I don’t need to ask for the plans Tom has joined up with your site which is good as when I try to explain anything he can go straight to your site, then he will know exactly what I’m trying to explain LOL??????
I would like to thank you personally for your ongoing news letters they are so informative, I’ve tried out some of your idea’s & guess what!! I had a pretty good result WOW!! I won’t say I was perfect but I gave it a go??? Anyway Eric I would like say Thanks again for your help, explanation, most all your willingness to SHARE your INFO, for us that are less fortunate at being on a budget, but want to give it a go, or something???? Thank you again kind regards, Ree from Queensland, Australia. (Down Under!!!!)
Thanks Ree! That means alot and is much appreciated.
I meant to add these plans in the members area, but since they are available here, just make sure you share this link with him.
Thanks again!
your video was verry intresting & i shal be trying it out this weekend . i watched it in england
I got a nice little sandblaster at Tractor Supply, they also have some blasting sand usually.
Eric,
Thanks for sharing this. I have a friend who made some like this but the edges are very sharp. I am glad to see how I can get them smooth now.
Toni
The cutting part worked real good, but when I put the cold water on, I got cracks going 90degrees from the cut. How can I prevent this? Maybe different brand of bottle? Any help would be appreciated.
I have never seen this happen, Bart. I know thin bottles like beer bottles don’t work well, so you might want to try another bottle type. If that doesn’t help, you might want to experiment with water not too hot, creating cuts with less pressure, or a better glass cutter. I usually try to recommend people to use a quality cutter which was suggested in the plans.
I am guessing your problem is most likely due to using a cheap cutter, but I can’t tell what the problem might be without seeing your process. I hope it helps.
Hi, your video as are very helpful. I also cut wine bottles and polish them but I am trying to find a faster way to polish the inside edge. I saw your video with the large drum sander attached to a drill and would like to try that. Can you tell me where I can find those and how fine a grit I can get for the smoothest polish?
Hi, your video as are very helpful. I also cut wine bottles and polish them but I am trying to find a faster way to polish the inside edge. I saw your video with the large drum sander attached to a drill and would like to try that. Can you tell me where I can find those and how fine a grit I can get for the smoothest polish?
Hi, thank you for mind opening video , id really like to have some advice from on the variase designs I can make on my glass, and if you have info about about a machine taht does engraving design on glass
this was very helpful. Thanks so much for putting it together and making it public for us DIY-ers.
-Lynne
Is the bottle wedged in between the rollers or sitting on top of them. Thanks, great tool idea.
@Vetinvett, it’s a little of both, but mainly sitting on top on it.
I’ve been looking at buying a bottle cutter, the cheap ones don’t look well made, and the expensive ones, well, I’ve never done this before. Looks like you’ve done a great job, downloading the plans now.
Great video. Can you send some additional info on the glass etching that is how to either by or make stencils and exactly how to apply and what materials are needed.
Thanks so much
Great video, thanks. Made a jig today. Works well. When it came to the water part I was to lazy to boil water. I just ran the tap until it was hot, filled the bottle and let it sit while I turned the water to cold. I then emptied the bottle and put it under the cold water. Worked great.
Thanks again