How do you cut a glass bottle in half?

Something that has worked for me. Using thin cotton string, cut a piece long enough to go around the bottle including enough to tie the two ends together with a square knot. Cut the excess off at the knot. Place the position of the string that now encircles the bottle, where you want the cut to be. Then taking lighter fluid (with the pointed dispenser tip) saturate the string slowly with the fluid - careful to keep only the string wet. Take your time in wetting the string being careful not to have excess fluid all over the glass. Have a container ready with very cold water in it, that is deep enough so that when you immerse the bottle it will completely cover the string all at once. With that ready and wearing protective eye ware (just as a precaution) if the string around the bottle is not saturated with the lighter fluid, re-wet it and with the can of lighter fluid out of the way and holding the head of the bottle with one hand, ignite the string with the other hand - holding the bottle upright. The string will immediately ignite and will not burn very long. When the flame does go out, immediately immerse the bottle in the cold water - again making sure ALL the string hits the water at the same time. What happens with glass is that when it is heated past a certain temperature, then plunged into a cold liquid, it will immediately fracture. I have used this technique on occasions with good results on glass bottles that are not too thick. The edges will be exceptionally sharp. Smoothing them with a fine grit wet or dry sandpaper will dull the razor sharp edges. Not a bad idea to wear some gloves. Good luck! Billy

You can also use nail polish remover that has acetone in it in place of lighter fluid.

I've been waiting for the opportunity to try this!!!

Good suggestion. Nail polish remover is more common now days than lighter fluid. My age was talking !

Great idea. I don't have the need for lighter fluid as I don't smoke but do use the bic type for crafting purposes and haven't had to buy another one so nail polish remover is a good idea

Look for a good deal on a glass cutter for bottles. Even new and good quality they will not be over $40. A friend made me one in his "home invention center".

1) bottle should be relatively clean,

2) score around ONE TIME ONLY. repeat score does NOT make it better.

3) dip bottle in hot water and then cold water. repeat if necessary. The shock will cause the score to run. YOU WILL NOT get a good break every time. But I use the "ragged ones also" I like them that way.

Sand the broken edge with a strip of wet/dry sand paper to get off edges.

Good luck. This is not a easy task. The more you do the easier it will be. Contact someone at a local pub and they will save you all the bottles you may want. I often come to work to find 6 cases of bottle by my front door. My neighbors in the shopping center think I throw a lot of parties.