The Ford Barn

itsa52 · 01-13-2014, 04:49 PM

I want to harvest the front lens off of a sealed beam head light for a craft project..
Can they be cut? And if so,, with what.. Thinking of cutting the bulb just in back of the lens.
Anyone try something like this?

19Fordy · 01-13-2014, 05:45 PM

If you use a die grinder with a thin blade it can be done. Cool with water as you go and make small , gradual cuts. Of course wear gloves and safety glasses.

Mike51Merc · 01-13-2014, 06:32 PM

Some sealed beam lamps are actually glued together. Can't remember the brand, but I had a problem with fogging and condensation inside the bulbs and it turned out that the glue was not fully sealing the beam.

rotorwrench · 01-13-2014, 06:36 PM

Diamond dust coated wheels will cut glass pretty well but as mentioned before, use lots of protective gear.

felix37 · 01-13-2014, 07:03 PM

try using a wet saw made for cutting ceramic tile. I have used mine to gut a glass bottle before.

RobertB · 01-13-2014, 07:19 PM

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I've had to cut a number of wine bottles for my wife's craft projects...easiest way is with a tile cutter ($69 at Lowes or Home Depot). Has a diamond blade running in water. Just run it slow and cut a bit at a time...and wear the appropriate safety stuff.

RobertB

28A · 01-13-2014, 07:49 PM

While looking into restoring fog lights a while ago i came across an article from i think it was street rodder magazine where they put the light in the oven and as said above, the glue came apart and the glass was peeled right off. I'd give that a go first.

jimTN · 01-14-2014, 07:53 AM

Depends on what you plan on doing with the finished product. If you could find one of the 40 sealed beams that is dead, you could cut the metal band that holds the glass to the reflector. also if size could be slightly different, use a 35-6 lense, they are just a slightly larger version of the sealed beam glass.

itsa52 · 01-14-2014, 06:18 PM

I like the idea of heat,, looking at it I am guessing it is glued. A bit scary putting a sealed vessel under heat in the oven.. Curious how hot it needs to be.

bk53 · 01-15-2014, 07:30 AM

you could dremel a relief hole in the back with a diamond point. as for time and temp,
maybe pop it in the oven at 350 for 1/2 hour, or was that brownies? oven probably most even heat. heat gun or torch might work too.

01-13-2014, 04:49 PM	#1
itsa52 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Nebraska Posts: 603	Dumb question I want to harvest the front lens off of a sealed beam head light for a craft project.. Can they be cut? And if so,, with what.. Thinking of cutting the bulb just in back of the lens. Anyone try something like this?

01-13-2014, 05:45 PM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,930	Re: Dumb question If you use a die grinder with a thin blade it can be done. Cool with water as you go and make small , gradual cuts. Of course wear gloves and safety glasses.

01-13-2014, 06:32 PM	#3
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: Dumb question Some sealed beam lamps are actually glued together. Can't remember the brand, but I had a problem with fogging and condensation inside the bulbs and it turned out that the glue was not fully sealing the beam.

01-13-2014, 06:36 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Dumb question Diamond dust coated wheels will cut glass pretty well but as mentioned before, use lots of protective gear.

01-13-2014, 07:03 PM	#5
felix37 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,093	Re: Dumb question try using a wet saw made for cutting ceramic tile. I have used mine to gut a glass bottle before.

01-13-2014, 07:19 PM	#6
RobertB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Santa Teresa, NM Posts: 133	Re: Dumb question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've had to cut a number of wine bottles for my wife's craft projects...easiest way is with a tile cutter ($69 at Lowes or Home Depot). Has a diamond blade running in water. Just run it slow and cut a bit at a time...and wear the appropriate safety stuff. RobertB __________________ RobertB Santa Teresa, NM

01-13-2014, 07:49 PM	#7
28A Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 44	Re: Dumb question While looking into restoring fog lights a while ago i came across an article from i think it was street rodder magazine where they put the light in the oven and as said above, the glue came apart and the glass was peeled right off. I'd give that a go first.

01-14-2014, 07:53 AM	#8
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: Dumb question Depends on what you plan on doing with the finished product. If you could find one of the 40 sealed beams that is dead, you could cut the metal band that holds the glass to the reflector. also if size could be slightly different, use a 35-6 lense, they are just a slightly larger version of the sealed beam glass.

01-14-2014, 06:18 PM	#9
itsa52 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Nebraska Posts: 603	Re: Dumb question I like the idea of heat,, looking at it I am guessing it is glued. A bit scary putting a sealed vessel under heat in the oven.. Curious how hot it needs to be.

01-15-2014, 07:30 AM	#10
bk53 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Near Dallas Posts: 387	Re: Dumb question you could dremel a relief hole in the back with a diamond point. as for time and temp, maybe pop it in the oven at 350 for 1/2 hour, or was that brownies? oven probably most even heat. heat gun or torch might work too.