Red Seal Glazier Practice Exam

What tools are commonly used for cutting glass?

1. Glass shear and jigsaw

2. Diamond-tipped saw and laser cutter

3. Glass cutters and score-and-snap methods

4. Utility knife and scissors

The correct answer is: Glass cutters and score-and-snap methods

The use of glass cutters and score-and-snap methods is foundational for cutting glass effectively and safely. Glass cutters have a hardened wheel that scores the surface of the glass, creating a weak line along which the glass can be easily broken. This scoring process is critical because it allows the glass to break cleanly and along predetermined lines, which is essential for achieving precise cuts. The score-and-snap technique involves scoring the glass with the cutter and then applying equal pressure to both sides of the score line until the glass breaks along the line. This method is widely practiced in the glazing industry due to its efficiency and simplicity. It requires minimal tools and skills but yields clean, accurate cuts, which is crucial for installing glass panels in various applications. Other methods and tools mentioned in the other responses may not be as suitable or effective for routine glass cutting. While diamond-tipped saws can indeed cut glass, they are typically used in specialized contexts and not as commonly as glass cutters in everyday glazier work. Similarly, laser cutters are more advanced and used in industrial settings rather than for standard glass cutting tasks. The use of a utility knife and scissors is inappropriate for glass, as those tools are designed for softer materials and lack the precision needed for cutting glass.