Chopping a top

I've seen and read many articles about chopping the tops on cars. But one thing all the tech stuff I've read seems to lack is how do you cut the glass...side windows, windhsield, etc..

Most of the stuff I've read, they usually replace with Lexan, or already ordered their glass...but I am very curious, what is the prefered method of the Ford gurus here that have chopped their tops themselves?

I did once read where a guy was cutting down the glass by scoring a line where he needed it to cut, and then using lighter fluid (I think that was the flammable of choice) to burn through the lining that makes it safety glass...this just seems a bit dangerous to me (aside from the fire part, what effect does it have on the glass strengh afterwards...would the lamination of the layers in the safety glass be compromised)?

My friend said he though he once read where some old timers would use a sand blaster...they would just protect what they needed to save, and then blast away slowly at what they wanted to remove. Sounds to me like it would work...but would be very time intensive.

So what is the thoughts here....anyone have a tip they would like to pass on to the other do it yourselfers here? Not planning on chopping a top anytime soon...just wanting to expand my knowledge base.

Mike

Dunno man, I don't chop chit....

If I did though, I'd take it to a glass chop and let them chop it on their chopping machine, ju know what i'm saying man?

There is a guy south of the border from here that uses a water jet machine to cut glass. I have also heard of sandblasting to cut the glass.

side roll up windows aren't done, just don't get rolled up in the tracks all the way. I've only heard the sand blast way. onr tip which made sense to me was to make sure you do the glass first, then match opennings to fit the glass.

Originally Posted by Humphrey351

I've seen and read many articles about chopping the tops on cars. But one thing all the tech stuff I've read seems to lack is how do you cut the glass...side windows, windhsield, etc..

Most of the stuff I've read, they usually replace with Lexan, or already ordered their glass...but I am very curious, what is the prefered method of the Ford gurus here that have chopped their tops themselves?

I did once read where a guy was cutting down the glass by scoring a line where he needed it to cut, and then using lighter fluid (I think that was the flammable of choice) to burn through the lining that makes it safety glass...this just seems a bit dangerous to me (aside from the fire part, what effect does it have on the glass strengh afterwards...would the lamination of the layers in the safety glass be compromised)?

My friend said he though he once read where some old timers would use a sand blaster...they would just protect what they needed to save, and then blast away slowly at what they wanted to remove. Sounds to me like it would work...but would be very time intensive.

So what is the thoughts here....anyone have a tip they would like to pass on to the other do it yourselfers here? Not planning on chopping a top anytime soon...just wanting to expand my knowledge base.

Mike

I collected a lot of the early Rod n Custom, CarCarft (it started out more oriented to custom cars, not the horsepower sister of Hot Rod that it turned into). Those were the old .25 cent magazines, came in a at about 1/3 the size of most magazines today. There was an art to finding matching glass or at least something that could be cut down so it would fit. If I remember correctly, many times they just found a rear window that would fit the curves better that many fronts.

I think they used every thing from grinders to diamon dust coated piano wire to make the complex cuts, I'm pretty sure the are better tools today.

In the case of the final fit, often they had to modify the cowl, roof line or "A" pillar (either laying it back or changing the angles so that everything lined up right. The point is pretty evident; if it was easy everyone would have been doing it - it isn't so their aren't a lof of the old school cars left. There aren't many of the old masters left either. Also, most of those customs weren't constructed as well as you would think. Lead, put on in the right quantity, covers a lot of compromises. I do agree that using lexan or other plastic as a substitue for glass is crappy, short cut. A few years back there was a Black '56 Ford "basket handle" Crown Victoria on the car show circuit. They contacted a company in Ohio, Michigan or somewhere up there, to make a replacement for their Moon roof in a Deep Smokey black/grey tint to match the Black on Black theme of the car. It took them several tries to get it done - but whoever did the job did it right, that is/was one of the sharpest, cleanest "56 Fords I have ever seen.

So, I know I haven't answered your question, but maybe it'll give you some ideas - if that is something you still think would be worth doing. You might also start buying some of the Rodder, rod and custom magazines - they may mention the name of a shop that is still into the old skills.

Originally Posted by Beoweolf

A few years back there was a Black '56 Ford "basket handle" Crown Victoria on the car show circuit. They contacted a company in Ohio, Michigan or somewhere up there, to make a replacement for their Moon roof in a Deep Smokey black/grey tint to match the Black on Black theme of the car. It took them several tries to get it done - but whoever did the job did it right, that is/was one of the sharpest, cleanest "56 Fords I have ever seen.

Man, I would love to have seen that 56, sounds really sweet! Thanks for all the other input, I found it interesting as well...and I have many old mags about the chopping of tops already, and just about everyone makes no mention of the glass. I was more or less just curious and wanted to know, really have no plans to chop anything, least not anytime soon .

Now as RPM wrote:
"side roll up windows aren't done, just don't get rolled up in the tracks all the way."

This I know to not be 100% true...if the cars basic roofline is retained, then yes you wouldn't need to cut the side glass. BUT...often the windshield and/or rear window profile changes, most times being laid down at a better, more attractive profile...in which case the side windows too need to be modified, and often "just don't get rolled up in the tracks all the way" wouldn't work. plus if you have vent widows, they are stationary and don't roll up or down, only swing in and out, you need to do some chopping.

Thanks for the input guys, I love asking questions to learn more about things like this that I don't know alot about, and everyone here as always, gives great answers and help.

Mike

um...er...right you are Mike. was thinking only of my 56 F100.

Originally Posted by RPM

um...er...right you are Mike. was thinking only of my 56 F100.

That is okay....I was asking a question regarding cutting glass for chopped tops, and you did answer and I thank you very much for responding...and I felt really bad to then turn around and say I knew that your answer was true to a point, but not on all tops...I didn't want to come off sounding like a a$$.

See, that is what I love about this board, questions can be asked...and you will usually get very good responses!

Now....got any pics to post of that '56?

Mike

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 havent tryed it yet but I have heard of puttin aluminum foil on the glass for conductivity and then cutting it with a plasma cutter. But like I said, I havent tryed it, just heard of it. FABED