Chopping a top

Originally Posted by 64Ragtop

I'v helped my brother do 3 chop tops and you usually get rid of the vent window for a one piece side window. we made cardboard templets and brought them to a glass shop which cut the tempered safety glass to size. We've only done pre 48 cars and never had to deal with a curved windshield the only problem we had was a 48 chevrolet we had to use a two piece front windshield that was beveled and glued together in the middle. that car was done over 15 years ago and still has that window and it dosen't leak. My advise is to go to and old glass & window shop not one of the newer replacement window places.

I don't think tempered glass can be cut. Was it flat safety glass like
that used in a windshield?
Fred

Humphrey... you read it right. "Back in the day"...., the common trick with laminated glass was to lightly score it, on both sides, at the desired trim line and then pour/burn alcohol on the section to be trimmed off (to soften the laminate film between the layers) and then carefully nibble it down to the score. From there it was usually clean-up with a water cooled grinder. Water cooled grinders were also sometimes used to sloowwlyy and carefully trim down tempered glass. No guaranteed results... and be sure to have spares on hand... but it often worked.
Another trick, depending on the car/body lines and type of chop, was to sink the glass down into the tracks/frame.

I kinda miss the "ole" days, sometimes. More often than not, it was strictly/solely up to the abilities, talent and ingenuity of the individual... not a catalog and credit card.

"Ole"DutchD
(Kevin)