is tempered glass any good

[Dante_F]

so i know if i try knapping it it will break into a bunch of peices but if i cut it to size and then pressure flake it for an edge would it be good? its the tabletop/shelf stuff.

[1442]

I don't think tempered glass will work at all.
If it breaks into big pieces or if you can cut it to size it should work but that wouldn't be tempered glass.
I saw a 3/8" thick round glass table top for sale for 30 bucks but I didn't know if table tops where tempered or not.

[Dante_F]

im 90% shure it is

[Deerhunter21]

just use normal glass! 

[Dante_F]

ok ill see if i can find some sheets

[GlisGlis]

bottle bottom are good if thick enough

[Pat B]

Go to your local glass company and get scraps. Lots of 1/4" glass there.

[jareddchazen]

I work in stained glass as my day job, nice endless supply of arrowhead material...we even run large flakes for Dalle de Verre windows. Tempered glass is good for shelves and bathrooms. Even if you could flake tempered, it wouldn't have a reasonably sharp edge. It's specifically designed to not.

Besides Dalle flakes, I've used bottle bottoms, 1/8 double strength, and pre-cut then pressure flaked colored glass for arrowheads.

JH

[1442]

I love stained glass
1/8 double strength, is that like a stronger glass twice as hard to break.

[mullet]

I've gone to Walmart and bought cheap, colored plates.

[Stoner]

I go to Goodwill Stores and look for colored glass jars, plates, etc. John

[vinemaplebows]

Got some of the old ashtrays to try..

[jareddchazen]

@1442 1/8" Double Strength (or just DS) is mostly used for windows and cabinets. Single Strength is 3/32" and used in light applications like picture frames. Not actually double the strength, but in full 4x8 foot sheets, SS is definitely more flexible. DS can be used in knapping, I use it all the time, but you'll generally want to cut it preformed only a little larger than the point you want to make since you have to treat the edge like a mini-slab. 1/4 plate is best to work with, I've learned a lot about turning that 90 degree cut into an edge with it. My favorite to knap is the flakes we take off of dalle de vere slabs. 6x12" and 1" thick. We flake them with hammers and toss the flakes, I always grab a small box full so I've got all kinds of colors. They're flat on one side but can be worked easily and the top "hump" thinned down. I'll make a new post showing those. If you have a stained glass studio near you, go in and ask if they do dalle de vere windows and if they have any of the garbage flakes. Most likely get them for free as they normally just go in the trash.

[Zuma]

tempered or plate  glass is great for knapping  table tops, store windows
 sows

[jareddchazen]

Tempered and plate are not the same. Tempered is a safety glass, similar to the side and rear windows in a car. It cannot be scribed and cut and if you impact the edge it will shatter into thousands of tiny pieces.

Safety note, if you have a table top that is plate and not tempered glass, get rid of it. If it breaks while your legs are under it you risk shards going into you legs and feet. Only use tempered glass for tables.