One of the primary functions of glass shelving is to have a place to display heirloom plates. The first problem encountered after the shelves have been installed is how to make the plates stand up so visitors can admire them. While there are plate stands that serve as mounts, a more lasting way to secure the plates is to literally cut grooves into the shelf with a wet-saw designed to cut into the glass. Basically, the narrow grooves cut into the glass shelves by hand result in a much more stable display case.
The first thing to keep in mind when cutting glass is not to cut completely through the glass shelf since this will cause the shelf to break in two pieces. To avoid this disaster, it is important to practice cutting pieces with glass with a hand-held wet saw with a blade adjusted to no wider than one eighth inch. Additionally, it is important to clearly mark the line on the glass with a metal ruler and a marker that contains ink that can be washed off after the groove is cut into the glass. In order to hold the glass in place as it is cut, which is essential to creating a straight groove, it is best to clamp the shelf into place on a solid, immovable work surface. As always when working with glass of any kind it is vitally important to wear safety goggles.
There is no doubt that the light and air that can move through glass shelving is perfect from showing off collectible plates. By taking a little care and observing the safety rules it is possible to hand-cut grooves in the shelves that can easily accommodate the plates without the visual obstruction caused by wire plate holders that sit on the surface of the glass shelves.
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