Through The Looking Glass

How thick (or thin) is 0.007 inches?  Not very darned thick.  How much effort does it take to break a piece of glass 0.007 inches thick?  Not very darned much.

During the convention last week, I spent more time teaching than learning, but I still managed to pick up a new "trick".  Not so much a trick really, more of a "I didn't know that existed!" thing.  Jimmy Simmons from Monster Model Works tipped me off to the use of REAL GLASS for model windows.  I've always used some sort of clear plastic or clear cellophane for my windows, but no more!  After seeing one of Jimmy's models that uses real glass in the windows, I came straight home and ordered some for myself.

For just under $7, you can get 55 pieces of glass, 1" wide, 2 inches long, and 0.007" thick.  You don't realize how delicate this stuff is until you have it in your hands.  Sneeze, and you've broken it.

It cuts just like normal-sized glass.  There is a miniature scribing tool which is used to scribe a line in the glass, and then you just snap it off.  Seems easy enough, right?  After utterly destroying the first two pieces that I tried to cut, I was finally able to cut out the pieces to finish this model.

So what's the big deal?  Look at the reflections in the windows.  Just like "real" glass.  You can't get that effect using plastic.

I'll get lots of practice at cutting this stuff, because the next structure I build will be the Lakeside Inn and its 57 scratch built windows, each using real glass.