Hinges for glass?

[ms fowler]

I have an idea for a Christmas gift...a display case made from the rear glass out of my son's Mustang GT. We put on a new top, so the glass from the original top is just sitting around. I think a wall-mounted display case for his miniatures would be a great gift for him.
Main question as this point is what do I need to know about hinging it to swing up. Its a car rear glass, so it is laminated. I have a set of diamond bits for drilling glass---I drilled some bottles last year and put lights in them, so I can drill glass, but is there anything special to know about laminated auto glass. I will only get one shot at this.

 

[tymbo]

It's probably tempered, which means you can't drill it. They do make no drill hinges for glass.(they have nylon clamp screws)

 

[rsanter]

Imwould make a metal hoop frame around the glass with tabs that hold the glass like prongs holding a diamond.
Then weld the hinges to the frame

Bob

 

[gazza]

I had a glass rear window (no frame) on my ute tub, decided to replace the molded rubbers between the hinges. The bolts through the glass can only clamp so tight but about 30 minutes later I heard a bang, went outside the the glass was shattered, about $550 dollars worth. Only explanation I have is that the hinges when fitted were under a bit of stress but when the glass was down and in the direct sun it was enough tension to go "bang"

 

[ovrrdrive]

If you make it swing down instead of swing up you can just use a thin channel and weld it all to the frame, set the glass in it and use set screws. the weight would be supported on the hinge so it wouldn't let go and hit the floor...

 

[ms fowler]

Thanks all---I need to consider what you have posted.
I probably need to resolve this issue first--no sense in building the display case only to shatter the glass.....

 

[apollo11]

don't drill, clamp the glass

 

[JABgj]

Try these folks, lots of choices.

http://www.crlaurence.com/crlapps/showline/default.aspx?GroupID=23324

 

[Alchymist]

Frame it in wood, just like you would a picture.

 

[Lassen Forge]

If you want to drill it, what I would do is go to Pick & Pull, get a rear window out of something else (same era), and practice drilling and clamping on that FIRST - that way you don't break or shatter the window when you go to do the real deal.

I'm in the frame it category, tho... just because it would look awesome, and make attaching hinges to the window a hell of a lot easier - and lessen the opportunity for a compression explosion where you drilled thru it.

 

[Bill Bowman]

As has been mentioned, you aren't going to drill a hole for hinges in the rear glass. In about 2 seconds, you're going to have about a million little popcorn pieces of glass on your shop floor. Moreover, you will be finding pieces in your shop for a long time. They seem to go everywhere.

Clamp it somehow and utilize a rubber gasket, or probably the best is a wood frame.

 

[turbowoodworker]

My glass shop put frameless tempered glass in all my showers. They installed the proper hinges (somehow) and the are mounted to the tile. I would take the glass and your idea to a glass shop, then build the cabinet or case around the glass and hinges. Those guys can do it and probably not break the bank, or the glass.

 

[ms fowler]

If you want to drill it, what I would do is go to Pick & Pull, get a rear window out of something else (same era), and practice drilling and clamping on that FIRST - that way you don't break or shatter the window when you go to do the real deal.

I'm in the frame it category, tho... just because it would look awesome, and make attaching hinges to the window a hell of a lot easier - and lessen the opportunity for a compression explosion where you drilled thru it.

I am leaning toward this right now... Just saw on old episode of fathom works where Dan Short drilled a windshield from a Morgan. Unknown to him, someone had replaced the original windshield with tempered glass. He drilled it, and it shattered into about a million pieces over 60 feet of his shop. Just the illustration I needed at the right time.

 

[ttpete]

I am leaning toward this right now... Just saw on old episode of fathom works where Dan Short drilled a windshield from a Morgan. Unknown to him, someone had replaced the original windshield with tempered glass. He drilled it, and it shattered into about a million pieces over 60 feet of his shop. Just the illustration I needed at the right time.

Some countries allow tempered windshields. I wouldn't want one. Think about rolling along at 75, catching a stone, and having all of those glass fragments in your face!

 

[MoonRise]

Some countries allow tempered windshields. I wouldn't want one. Think about rolling along at 75, catching a stone, and having all of those glass fragments in your face!

Still much better than a stone hitting a 'plain' windshield and breaking it into glass spears that impale your face, head, chest, neck, arms, and everything else!

(which, depending on exactly which model and era of Morgan windshield was replaced, the tempered glass might have been an improvement over the original 'plain' glass, even at "double thickness"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Motor_Company

)

Modern windshields are laminated safety glass with the 'thin' film of plastic between an inner glass 'skin' and an outer glass' skin'. On impact, the glass breaks into pieces of various sizes but the plastic keeps it together (usually).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminated_glass

And back to the OP (ms fowler), don't drill or attempt to drill or otherwise machine automotive glass. Doing so usually does not end well for the glass. Make a frame (bright or blacked-out trim optional ) and attach the hinges to the frame.

 

[kerrynzl]

Glue it with a thick layer of good strong urethane adhesive. Or use the white foam double sided tape that holds mirrors to windshields.

no drilling needed.
The flexibility relieves any stresses
Creates a barrier between metal and glass

 

[ttpete]

Still much better than a stone hitting a 'plain' windshield and breaking it into glass spears that impale your face, head, chest, neck, arms, and everything else!

(which, depending on exactly which model and era of Morgan windshield was replaced, the tempered glass might have been an improvement over the original 'plain' glass, even at "double thickness"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Motor_Company

)

Modern windshields are laminated safety glass with the 'thin' film of plastic between an inner glass 'skin' and an outer glass' skin'. On impact, the glass breaks into pieces of various sizes but the plastic keeps it together (usually).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminated_glass

And back to the OP (ms fowler), don't drill or attempt to drill or otherwise machine automotive glass. Doing so usually does not end well for the glass. Make a frame (bright or blacked-out trim optional ) and attach the hinges to the frame.

In the US, windshields have been laminated safety glass since the late 1920's. Model A Fords used it starting in 1928. Ford actually built their own glass plant and made it on-site. I think it was also used in the UK and Europe as well. Tempered glass didn't show up until sometime after WWII. I've owned cars and trucks from the 1940's and '50's and they all had laminated glass all around.

 

[ScottsGT]

What year Mustang? Fastback, coupe, hatch back, convertible? Mustangs are my thing (note my screen name) and the need to building display cases pushed me into wood working. I collect diecast cars and build scale models and like them protected when done.
More info on the shape of the glass, I might be able to come up with an idea.

 

[ms fowler]

What year Mustang? Fastback, coupe, hatch back, convertible? Mustangs are my thing (note my screen name) and the need to building display cases pushed me into wood working. I collect diecast cars and build scale models and like them protected when done.
More info on the shape of the glass, I might be able to come up with an idea.

The glass is the rear from the original convertible top. The previous owner put a large "Mustang"/ running horse decal on it. I think the decal adds interest.
My son builds, and collects "War Hammer" models/ miniatures.

On another thought---what sources do you use for Fox-body used-but still good interior parts? I need a bunch to finish this car and at least make it presentable---the short list is--front buckets ( the original seats have a twist in the back rests), door panels with the long power window switch, the interior rear quarter trim that cover the top mechanism next to the rear seat, and the motors for the rear 1/4 windows, a better black carpet, and seat belt holsters. All that stuff "new" would exceed the value of the car. ( '86 GT )

 

[gungatim]

I keep a stash of glass hinges from various entertainment centers and stereo cabinets I find and scrap. they usually have an adhesive piece that goes on the glass to cushion it, and the hinge slips over the glass and clamps with small screws. you can probably find some in varying sizes at Rockler (check their website).

 

[ScottsGT]

Good luck on finding good used Fox body parts. They're so old, that by now they are sun dried and faded. Be leery of buying plastic parts like the door panel switch holders since that plastic gets old and brittle. It might be OK when shipped to you, but look at it wrong and it can be garbage. Only hope might be to watch ebay and look for nice cars that have been totaled out and guys are stripping them and parting them out. Also watch Mustang boards like Corral.net or Mustangsource.com.
You can pull those seats apart and re-twist the metal back into shape. Get new foams and covers and have new seats! Sometimes though it's not twisted metal, but a stop that broke off and then it starts to lean. Check that too.
As far as new stuff exceeding the value, don't sell it short. Those Fox bodies are starting to climb in value. Especially the old Four Eyed Foxes. Just CYA with insurance coverage with an agreed value with your agent. The nicer you make it with new parts, the higher the value. I'm seeing really nice cars these days selling for north of $10,000 easy. Manual trans seems to bring the bigger money.

As far as the glass, I would make a wood frame by setting the glass on edge against the wood and tracing the outline of it. Cut it with a band saw or jig saw and then route a channel in for the glass to sit in. Bead of silicone and drop in place.

 

[Robert Haas]

I am the owner of a glass shop. Been doing glass for nearly 50years.

So much for my resume;

This is a lot simpler then you boys are making it. Buy a set of heavy duty stainless hinges at any hardware store. take some 220 sand paper and sand the glass where the hinge will live, (mask around that area so you don't scratch the glass that is not covered by the hinges.)

With your glass now ready for hing install lay them in position and confirm the hinge pin line is matched up perfect with each other so that they will not fight each other when the glass is operated. now accurately mark where they will be and sand the surface of the hinges where they will be against the glass.

Now all you need to do is mix up some high bond epoxy. glue the hinges on to the glass clamp them in place and wait for the epoxy to cure.

You are done, you can now screw the new hinges to anything you want.

 

[gungatim]

^ Good idea! sounds similar to bonding a rearview mirror to a windshield...

 

[ms fowler]

Thanks for the Mustang info.
As for the glass, your suggestion is pretty much what i had figured to do. Now, just to get t it.

 

[ms fowler]

OK!

Well that does simplify it a lot. Glad for the experience of someone who has done ita long time.

 

[ScottsGT]

This thread has me thinking about dong the same thing with a '65-'66 Fastback glass for my 1/18 diecast Mustang collection. I had a spare glass, but it had a huge gouge down one side. If I could purchase another one in clear, it would make a great starting point.
Hmmm.....got me thinking now.