Asked on Jun 18, 2015

How do I cut off the glass decanters' bottoms?

Okay, I've collected the wine decanters, I have the wiring, the sockets and the canopies; the only thing I can't figure out is how to cut off the bottoms of the decanters. I've done a search on glass saws but all I can find are saws meant to cut flat glass, like that used in stained glass.
Help! I know someone out there can help!
  20 answers
  • Amy Ogden-Paparone Amy Ogden-Paparone on Jun 18, 2015
    I would love to know this answer too! Although they have videos for cutting the bottoms off of wine bottles, they're smooth, these would need to be cut a totally different way. I'm hoping someone knows the answer and lets you And me know! If you find out PLEASE post your new lights and let me know too? :D
  • Shirley Shirley on Jun 18, 2015
    Don't know the answer to your question, but, they sure make beautiful pendant lights! Good Luck
  • Susan Susan on Jun 18, 2015
    Stunning !!
  • Cynthia Nolen Cynthia Nolen on Jun 18, 2015
    You could inquire at a glass and mirror shop. I am also curious to find out how to DIY.
  • Sandy Sandy on Jun 19, 2015
    Check on other DIY and craft sites (one comes to mind) and there are instructions. It involves dipping the decanters in alcohol and using a fire source. Good luck.
  • Eve1474324 Eve1474324 on Jun 19, 2015
    Your best option would be where they make windows, door inserts ans such. They would probably cut it for you.😊
  • BEV BEV on Jun 19, 2015
    lovely lights- years ago the rage was a kit that cut glass-it involved thin electric wires. I agree a craft store might have or could order.
  • Vel Morrison Orsborn Vel Morrison Orsborn on Jun 19, 2015
    Bottle Cutter. Got mine at craft store
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    • Vel Morrison Orsborn Vel Morrison Orsborn on Jun 20, 2015
      A ceramic tile cutter is a type of wet saw. Check them out when you go to Home Depot
  • Amy Anson Amy Anson on Jun 20, 2015
    I haven't tried it yet but I watched this utube video of cutting methods and you may want to take a look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFXngPx3w3M
  • Sandra Whittier Sandra Whittier on Jun 22, 2015
    Dremel $25. At home depot. Those are beautiful! Practice, practice, practice! I use a dremel to cut glass blocks. (Of Course now you can buy them cut. Start with wine bottles, diamond tip glass cutters, and never forget water and goggles.
    • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Oct 15, 2015
      @Sandra Whittier Hi Sandra could you tell me what Dremel bit you use to cut glass. I was in touch with the Dremel company today and they could not recommend any bit or wheel to cut glass they told me I should look in to stained glass supplies, I am installing a glass and metal backsplash and need to cut some of the glass tiles. I'm not sure I understand what a diamond tip glass cutter is ? Thanks
  • Ruidoso Ruidoso on Jun 24, 2015
    I have used the DIY bottle cutter. The key is to PRACTICE. However, the easy way out is to have someone who lays ceramic tile use his/her wet saw and let them cut it. The lose is generally 50%.
  • Lisa O. Lisa O. on Jun 25, 2015
    I saw on HGTV where they tied some twine around the bottle being cut, slid it off, keeping the string in that shape. dunked the string in acetone and slid back onto the bottle to where you want it "cut". Light the string on fire and rotate the bottle while holding it Horizontally. Once the string has burned all the way around, you dunk the bottle in COLD water. This snaps the bottle at the string line. I haven't tried it yet, put plan on it. I thought maybe finger nail polish remover might be able to be used in place of the acetone, (read labels), I seem to have a lot of that. Practice safety if trying this method. No light is worth a trip to the ER! practice on a junk bottle first1!
    • See 2 previous
    • Doni G. Doni G. on Oct 16, 2015
      I have also tried it on wine bottles out of the 4 or 5 I tried, it only worked on the first one and caused much frustration trying the other 3 or 4. I now use a hand held glass cutter along a tape line and pour boiling water along the cut line until it snaps. Works well, but depends on thickness of glass as to how well. Check Pinterest, I have seen these done in posts there and they also have lots of cutting tutorials.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jun 26, 2015
    These are stunning. And cut class makes the most beautiful shadowing design in room.
  • Sandra Whittier Sandra Whittier on Oct 15, 2015
    Go to Google and look at all the people using a Dremel and if you are going to do that much glass cutting you might want to get a glass saw instead. A saw is like a tile saw and if you are just making holes, you go to Home Depot or Lowes and another place you can see besides google is the Stainglass Clubs on Facebook will have plenty and Houzz.com might show you how. Make sure you talk to someone that has at least drilled into it before. I hate these box stores that never show the employees how to sell their stock! Sometimes a simple "How do I install"if not let me know. Good luck!
  • Lisa O. Lisa O. on Oct 16, 2015
    That is to bad. I have still been meaning to try it. Have you tried any other methods? Glad you still have your hair. :)
  • Ruidoso Ruidoso on Oct 16, 2015
    When the front side of my hear grew back, it was never the same. Let's see, other choices--professional tile man, go some where glass is cute.....
  • Ruidoso Ruidoso on Oct 16, 2015
    I have a G-bottle cutter that Hobby Lobby had. It's okay for cutting wine bottles for now and I am still practicing with it once a month. (That's all I will tie up my hub's kitchen). It takes a rolling boil of water in a large pot followed by lots of ice with some water in another large pot. If you are not gung-ho on doing it yourself, go to a professional glass cutter or professional tile guy. They might also give you a 50/50 odd chance. They will want some practice bottles first! Tell yourself that you CAN do it!!
  • Lorraine Lorraine on Jan 03, 2016
    I took a glass class,(giggle-glass class) teacher said she uses a tile saw.
  • Judith Lay Judith Lay on Jan 30, 2019

    My local glass business said they charged $15 a bottle with no guarantees the bottle wouldn’t break during the process. But if you have extra liquor bottles...

  • Mike Mike on Aug 07, 2019

    I have cut lots of these bottles decanters for a local opportunity outlet and fitted the electrical as well