Glass cutters cut sheet of glass of varying thickness according to patterns or specifications received from supervisors. They are generally employed by glass manufacturing or processing companies. The demand for glass cutting is greatest in the commercial sector, but glass cutters also do residential work, such as cutting glass for windows, doors, glass roofs, and skylights. They may also cut more specialized or custom-made pieces, such as car windshields, table tops or decorative components for building exteriors and interiors. Glass cutters' salaries vary quite a bit since they may work in small scale, specialized workshops, on factory production lines, or on construction sites. Generally they are paid hourly wages according to their level of experience.
Automation is increasingly common in the glass industry. Glass cutters often work in modern factories with state-of-the-art equipment. You may have to learn how to operate automatic cutting tables which employ hydraulic lifts and surface air cushions to lift and move large pieces of glass.
Despite automation, you may still do much of your work by hand since hand cutting work remains fairly common and is often required for special assignments. In certain areas, glass cutting retains many of the features of an old-time craft.
Whether the work is manual or automated, the basic procedures are the same. Before cutting, you must first study the plan of pattern and then carefully examine and measure the glass to be used. If you detect any flaws, you have to decide how best to cut the glass without wasting any of it. If you are working manually, you hae to select the tools best suited for the task at hand.
You must have good eyesight and the hand-eye coordination necessary to cut the glass correctly. Glass is both fragile and expensive and employers hire cutters who make the fewest mistakes. Glass can also be quite heavy and you will need sufficient strength to lift and position glass sheets as required.
Whether you work in a shop, factory or on a construction site, you may have to contend with the distractions caused by continuous noise and activity. You have to learn how to work in these conditions and not let them affect the quality of the final product. Also, there is always the ever- present risk of being cut or gashed by sharp or broken glass.
Despite these drawbacks, glass cutting is a job you can be proud of. It is a craft that requires special and unique skills, especially for the hand-cut and customized items. Each project is different and each assignment offers a stimulating challenge.
Glass cutting will likely appeal to those who prefer to work alone and without supervision. You may occasionally discuss aspects of a particular project with a supervisor or architect, but you will have little contact with any one other than you immediate co-workers.
You will do well at this job if you are a methodical individual who does not mind paying attention to details. Since you have to be careful not to brake the glass or waste it by cutting it incorrectly, you must be able to plan you work well. A keen visual sense is essential to help you determine how to tackle some of the problems you may encounter.
This job requires dependability, patience, and intense concentration. You must be focused enough to produce high quality work consistently. The work can occasionally become fairly repetitive and requires self-discipline to follow instructions, patterns or procedures accurately.
Other Related Careers