That's why I haven't spent the money yet. Seems really hard
to get the hang of. Hope you have better luck with it soon!

Hazie

I had a Glastar but I had to build a frame for that - which was a pain. I also didn't think the cutter was great on it. I just need to find a design to inspire me and keep it right in front of me when I'm practicing. Actually, I'm thinking the directions make it look more intimidating instead of less. And, I'm left handed so most things have to be reversed. The writer suggests everybody needs to learn to cut on both sides of the ruler. Can't see that happening with me.

DIY, the directions are horrible. And on the DVD, if you actually listen to it, he even says people complain about the directions but you must practice, practice, practice. That's okay as long as you have good directions to learn how to do it the right way.

My squares are not always perfect. I do like using it for stripping glass. Even at that sometimes my score isn't good and the glass doesn't make a clean break. Overall though I really like it. I need to learn to use it to the max.

Does anyone have the Beetle Bits system?. Its supposed to be better and easier to understand than the Morton system. I am really thinking about it. Have heard too many negatives about the Morton system, mostly about the directions not being clear. I talked to someone at Delphi glass and she said she definitely prefers the Beetle Bits system. They sell both, Beetle Bits is more expensive though.
Bianchi

Yep, it'a a PITA ain't it? I can get perfect squares,(or close enough for me), but it's slow because I cut each strip, then one square at a time.
I haven't done a lot of other shapes because I am too impatient to really study the directions or listen to the CD.

I saw that in the Delphi calalog this weekend, and have been tempted to try it. Anyone have the Beetle one yet?

Hazie

Oh my....take a closer look :o) There is absolutely
nothing straight about my squares. I kinda like it that way. It looks "old" when they're wonkey.
Maybe it looks straight because I try to mark and follow
a line when placing them, usually the horizontal part of the grid and totally ignore the vertical guide. It ends up looking straight yet not perfect.
I've asked for the Beetle Bits thingamajig for Christmas
AND some of the glass paint markers. They look interesting too. Hear tell the Morton system is great
once you get the hang of it...keep on trying, you'll get there ;o)

Wow, glad I haven't spent the money on the Morton system yet. I don't have the patience or the glass to waste trying to get a good square. Maybe I'll just keep doing it the old fashioned way and just be happy if the darn thing looks square enough. If anyone gets the Beetle Bits let us know if it's easier to understand.

I bought it and still don't get the diamonds and such..need a hands on teacher!

Yes the morton has a big learning curve IMO but I did finally get it. I know there are a lot of ladies on here that use it way better then I do!!! If I didnt have the morton I think I would be wanting the beetle..but I have what I have and I will keep it!

Dont give up you can use this to the best advantage..I practiced with old picture frame glass from the 2nd hand store. It cuts so much easier and its cheaper to buy so you can really get some practice.

OH NO Don't tell me this. I just ordered the Morton system and it has not even arrived yet. Sigh Add to that I am also left handed. Double sigh.

Chris

I LOVE mine, and nothing I cut is perfect, but it sure beats what I was doing before. Too impatient to read the directions for more than the diamonds. Mostly I use the grid system. BAMA - those little mirrors you sent me in thanks for the keys were as perfect as one could make perfect. GOOD GRIEF, girl - they're WONDERFUL. Wish I could do that.

I recently got the Morton system and spent an entire day trying to figure it out. I posted for help on here and Chickeemama came to my rescue and showed this lefty how to cut diamonds. I was able to show my right handed DD how to do it along with Maria. I cut a lot better with the Morton than I did with the Glastar. If I get a strip that didn't cut cleanly it's a lot easier to trim some off and start cutting strips again. You would think though that with so many people complaining about how confusing the instructions are that they would make a video you could actually watch instead of just listen too. I love my Mortons!

I'm going to learn that darn Morton System yet !

Well, since I hate reading instructions..I'm screwed anyway..............I just free-wing it and it shows.......I just really wish I could cut diamond shapes!

I got the Morton in July, I've only used it to cut strips so far but I'm pretty happy about not having to measure each time I cut strips the same size, also, my ruler would always slip and my strips were never straight. Eventually I'll try cutting some other shapes, but so far I'm happy!

Tried diamonds last night and used Chickemama's tutorial here. So much easier; thank you, thank you. Actually, I'm finding that if I don't read the words and just look at the pics (and then have to reverse them for lefties), I'm better off. I used to develop technical training with flow charts and step-by-step instructions, etc. This is killing me. There's actually a place with illustrations 1-5 and the directions go to 1, then 2, then 5, then 3 or 4. Don't know, quit reading and just looked at pics at that point.

Has anyone used the morton breaking system? I bought it but haven't made myself use it much. It is sooo diff from the old fashioned way of groziers and breaking pliers, that I forget and just grab those! Trying to teach this dog new tricks!

Janey, I bought the Morton breaking system, and I agree with you most of the time I reach for my breaking pliers.

I also have the morton breaking system and I pretty mucdont use it..I do use the saftey breaking thingey when I dont get a good cut, it really has saved me many times.

Diytrying. Glad you were able to use my tutorial!!! It was done for a lefty so you shouldnt have to reverse andything.

One thing I did notice for me when cutting strips, I cut them better when I use my cutter from top to bottom instead of going from the bottom up. This just may be me but I get a more even cut.

Oh Darn it all again!! I am such a dunce. I thought I clipped Chickeemama's tutorial and I guess I do not even know how to make a clipping. Sigh. HOW am I to work the Morton if I can not make a clipping even??

Would you please link your tutorial again. I tried to do a search on it and it is not coming up.

Clamity I bought the Morton breaking system but Hazie shanghighed my USP man to play with my toys while they are on the way to me. Heheheh So I have not gotten them yet.

I can't wait to play. Going to clean up my craft room and make room for my new tools.

Chris

I ask Santa, who happens to live in this house, for the Beetle system. I assisted him in ordering (hehe), cant wait for it to get here. Will let you know how I like it.
Bianchi

Here's the link to the tutorial.

Well, gang, it was pretty easy when Barb showed me. She did keep on me about going top to bottom on my scores!!

Santa is supposed to stop by here with a Morton too ( as soon as I order it for him to give to me)

Maria

Here is a link that might be useful: tutorial

I was given one of the Morton things when it was first introduced many years ago. It took me only minutes to realize this mas more of a toy then a tool and the directions reminded me of some mistranslation from some foreign language. Since then I studiously avoided using it and refused even to sell it when requested. Instead I relied entirely on making my own jigs when needed. However, the introduction of the Cutters Mate "Beetle Bit" system changed my mind completely about the usefulness of prebuilt cutting systems. Where the Morton is needless complicated, the Beetle Bit is elegantly simple. Now I not only use the system, I recommend it to professional artisans as well as hobbyists.

Dennis Brady
DeBrady Glassworks - www.debrady.com
Victorian Art Glass - www. vicartglass.com
Glass Campus - www.glasscampus.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Beetle Bit Cutting System

I've got both, haven't mastered the breaking system (OK, so not **master** with the system, either), but have had a fair amount of success. Need to learn not to rush myself when cutting so my cutter doesn't go skittering off to the side. Ah, the learning curve!!

Pat

There's a few Tutorials here you may find helpful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Glass Campus Tutorials

welcome debrady! wow that's very helpful info on alot of subjects. Everyone should check out Dennis's link.

Bama - he has info on selling at craft shows!
And kilns and cutting...

I am REALLY into diamonds these days and bless Mr. Morton for his system. However, I've not tried the breaking system, which I've had forever (I'm VERY hands-on for learning). My expertise has not extended to trapezoids (YIKES: I would have to read directions for that!) I DO recommend standing up when cutting however. And today I noticed that my cuts are angled because I'm not holding the Toyo correctly.

Thanks for that link Dennis! I have bookmarked it so I can go back later to soak it all in.
Hmmm, I may have to ask Sugardaddy for one of them Beetle-thingys!!

Thank you Maria for finding the link for me. This time I think I have it clipped properly. I think I was missing a step. DOH time.

Thanks for the other links too. Very interesting.

Chris

ROSIE- I have trouble holding my Toyo straight. I tend to want to use it like a pencil. Barb and I were talking and I think the other type of cutter like this: might work better. The people at Delphi we watched cutting glass hold it closer to the way you would hold a pencil.
Maria

I cut with a pistol grip toyo. I really like it better than the pencil type.

I noticed when I was watching Maria cut that she wouldn't always hold the pistol grip cutter straight and level so she wasn't always getting good scores. I think since she was holding it like a pencil, she might do better with a pencil type cutter.

Can you believe a lefty (me) showed a righty how to use the Morton system and she was able to learn it?

Barb

Dumb question. When you are talking about straight, are you talking straight as in a 90 degree angle to the glass or straight as in the cutter head going straight along the ruler line? Or both? My toyo cutter head really wobbles back and forth a lot, makes it hard to not veer away from the ruler. I think I have a pencil cutter, may try that a couple of times.

In my case, straight like a 90 degree angle. One thing about the morton system I found it easier to keep along the ruler line because the ruler Doesn't Move!! I don't get that wobble on my pistol grip like a lot of people do.

Barb, you did a great job explaining it!!

Maria

To produce the most reliable score, the cutter head must as near to perfectly vertical as possible. One of the terrific advantages to the Cutter's Mate and the Beetle Bit cutter is they both do that for you. With the Cutter's Mate, the handle holds the head exactly vertical. With the Beetle Bit, the Beetle cutter slides on a track so there's no way to have it anywhere but perfectly vertical.

Some stuff sold is a toy and other stuff is a tool. I have pros with 20+ years experience try it and comment, "Where was this when I started off?". If the pros like it so much, think how much it will help a hobbyist.