The only mirror I've cut I've scored on the shiney side, worked fine. Can't tell you much, but sure am looking forward to seeing your project!

CACBEARY!!! Got a pic? of your bits? We all live and learn, I know that I usually do on EVERYTHING!!! I've yet to make anything perfect! OH, except my Exchange Gift!LOL!!! And I say yes to the acrylic paint thing, I have a can of outdoor sealer and I'm sure that is all it is.

I feel your pain.

I'm trying to learn the Morton system. NOT easy - and what everyone has said about the directions being horrible is no exaggeration. And the names of all the pieces of the system didn't make much sense to me, so I got out my handy labeler and labeled them all! That helped me.

I followed a great piece of advice that Chickeemama offered - pick up some thrift store picture frames and use the glass from them to practice on. Thanks, Chickee - that was good advice!

My pieces are always cut perfectly!!! BAAW HAAW HAAW hope you didnt believe that!!! I have ruined so many pieces of glass by cutting on the wrong side. How frustrating!!! You will learn the system and then it we be so great. At least you had another piece to use..sometimes I havent!!!

Lyndalu- your so sweet.....and your welcome on the advice!!

Can I be so bold as to ask... where'd you get it and what all came with and $$$$? you don't have to say how much but I'm trying to figure if I should, since I didn't get the morton...

and should I do it at all I mean, I can cut now with what I got... do I need these things or just want them....

OK Janie-Bo! Here is a web page with the Beetle Bits system. I scanned all my instructions, took pics, & a pic of the shoe TBM.

I appreciate the advice everyone. I did a piece of small glass & they came out great. But the mirror glass was different & I didn't expect it.

You don't need one of these but I would want one. It makes everything so much faster. And with the Beetle bits you just press the beetle & cut & it makes perfect cuts & it's easier to understand BUT pricier. Since I was going for the Morton I decided to ask for the Bettle Bits. And Delphi had a complete system with the grids for $150.00. It is pricier than the Morton's. Can't compare to a Morton as I don't have one but I read the Beetle Bits is easier to understand. I need all the help I can get.

Here is a link that might be useful: Beetle Bits System

Holy smokes! The minute I saw the picture of the red glass
shredded into perfect minuscule strips I knew I had to get this system. $150?!? Well...there is a birthday next month....hhummm.
Another question: Is 3/8" the smallest it goes?
Linlee

Linlee,

I guess you could. But it's going to be tricky busting apart when its really small like that I would think. I was going to do 4/8 & my Mom said it would be prettier with the 3/8. We both received a candle with 3/8" squares on it that was beautiful.

Linlee - with the intricate detail in your work - yes, this is the system for you. It took about 10 minutes to score the glass - it's got your name on it, LOL!

Boy,thanks for the pictures..it looks easier than the Morton.I've had it 3 yrs and still can't use it.

10 minutes!!!! Oh yeah!
Thanks for the info ;o)

Sounds easier than the Morton, and I'm tempted to get it but probably w/hang w/the Morton. On scoring grids this is what I've been shouting for almost a year - score the whole sheet into a grid. I just use the grid scoring pad, sliding the glass to each 1/4 or 1/2" grid line on the pad(sorry you misunderstood the part about which side), then I found it easier to break the sheet into quarters b/f breaking them into tiles. Seems to break easier w/the shorter strips than the whole sheet. And, yes, you can have a sheet of tiles in 10 minutes.

I have seen in the Delphi Glass catalog something that you put on the back of mirror to protect the backing, but I've just always glued my pieces down and have had no problems.

Now I know I'm getting the Beetle bits and the cutter - I have been cutting squares by hand and hardly one comes out like the other.

So sorry this happened to you with the mirror. Mirror should
be scored only on the glass side. Live, love, learn. :-)
But, if it is any consolation, I use clear spray lacquer
($ 6.00 can) on the gray side of mirror. I put the mirror on paper towels when I spray so no spray gets around to the other side. And this is after I cut and grind. (if I grind)
Your friend, Ray
Mfr. Beetle Bits Glass Cutting System.

So Dh said that he was looking to get me the morton for Xmas and couldn't find the whole set, so I show and tell him about the Beetle system and I say, what do you think? he said, "to be completely honest, perfection isn't really your style I can't see you using this"

ya know he's right, I'm okay with my straight edge and toyo

I do not know why because usually I have the worst time learning new things. I picked up the Morton system and it all worked for me the very first time. I did buy the breaking button thing . I also bought the running pliers. Before I knew what the screw was for I crunched some glass and thought OH NO. Then I fugured out that part. The breaking button and hand thing will break small edges off pieces where the running pliers will not.

I REALLY like the Morton. Just take the written directions one step at a time hands on as you go.It is not all that hard really.

Chris

I'm with Shades. I love my Morton system and the breaking button.

I just remembered something that makes a difference for me when cutting with the Morton System. I think I read it in the directions,not sure.

I am left handed so turn this around for right. When standing at your Morton System grid it said to put your left foot behind your right. So right handed people switch to right foot behind left.

I have NO IDEA WHY this makes a difference but every time I had trouble I had forgotten to stand the right way.

Also at first I was digging my cutter into the glass too hard. You just need a light line and you will hear it zip along.

And one more. I read to start from the far edge of the glass and draw towards yourself with the cutter. I have seen it done both ways. For me cutting from the bottom away does not work. Maybe it does free hand I have not tried that yet.

Chris

Ray - manufacturer of Beetle Bits? Uh, I sure hope it was ok to put the pics up of the Beetle Bits - copyrights & all - but hey - what an advertisement.

Thanks for the heads up on the spraying. I called the stained glass shop nearby & asked about the mirror glass & sealing. He said I could use nail polish so I just used my clear acrylic spray for $.99 can at Walmart if you're not opposed to buying there.

Your directions are very clear & explicit. Are you a teacher too?

No need to apologize about the mirror. My stupidity. I should have tested on the silver mirror tile since it was so much cheaper but noooo, I had to go for the expensive one. But I did all the cuts on the glass side & they came out great. See the shoe WIP in link below. I have lots of cutting to do now that's not squares & grinding. Inside of shoe will be silver so I just had enough with just one mirror tile.

So regular stained glass I cut on both sides? I'm glad to hear that to save the cutting wheel.

I sure do love your system. I like just pressing down on the Beetle cutter. That is really slick. It's so easy! And when you are doing a bunch of scoring I like easy. Haven't tried making triangles or diamonds.

What's next? Your own line of cutting tools like the lady at WC?

Here is a link that might be useful: Shoe WIP

No problem posting pictures of Beetle Bits etc.

We have a full line of cutting tools. Currently
we have 26 products related to the stained glass
industry and have a few more in the works.
Cutter's Mate, Strip Pro, Circle Pro, The Waffle Grid,
Speed Balls, Running Pad, just to name a few. :-)

You will note on the Mosaic instructions page that
you may not always be able to turn the glass
over to do the other scores since one side
may be smooth and one side my be rippled or
heavily textured.

I am happy you are enjoying The Beetle Bits System.

Your friend,
Ray

Ray, thanks for your info. Now, anything you can do about that price???? LOL

I got myself the beetle bits system for my birthday. I have only used it a few times so far, but wow I do love it. I haven't used the Morton system, but with all the complaints I've read here about how hard it is to figure out I can say the beetle system is easy easy. If you're thinking about getting it I'd recommend to also get the flying beetle cutter that goes with it.

Virginia

Ohhh, now I'm drooling! I've got the breaking button (morton thingy) and ALWAYS forget to use it, just grab my pliers!!lol! Guess I'll haul out my glastar strip cutter and pretend it's a beetle for now, craft room is double what I budgeted for so will have to behave for ...oh 6mos!ha! Have had my strip cutter for 5yrs and never used it! Did use the circle cutter part tho.Really worked good. Yup, this beetle(just love the name too!!) sounds like the system I'll be buying! Is it in Canada, anybody know???

Calamity:
Yes, The Beetle System has made its way into Canada.
We have a new version that has the ruler in metric units.
I can not plug anybody, but if you E-mail me at
info@cuttersmate.com, I can give you some shops that
carry it, IN STOCK. Just need to tell me your location.
Your friend,
Ray