Sourcing or making smooth edged glass tiles

Question

I’m trying to make refrigerator magnets, and step one seems to be laying my hands on smooth edged glass tiles.

I’ve searched for various sources without success for a bit, finding nothing much larger than 1” or 30 mm squares.for the most part, along with a few 24 x 48 mm options.

I’ve actually considered having them made, but it seems to be a cumbersome process.

I absolutely don’t want to cut to size and grind due to health implications.

My initial, but erroneous, idea was that I could simply cut them to size, and then torch smooth the edges, but that seems to be a non-starter, as I’m told that they would shatter immediately.

I know a glass blower who seems to have some idea of how to attain this but is seems cumbersome and expensive, involving only one or two layers maximum in a kiln, where they would be taken up to a temperature that we’d arrive at by experimentation, which would soften/round the edges and then the pieces allowed to cool.

From what I understand, there is an issue, although a manageable one, in that the ¼” glass that I could access would be a “float” glass that is formed on molten tin.

Ideally, I’d like to put my hands on these by the hundred. with various sizes and ratios, 2” squares, approximately 1 ½ by 3” rectangles, and some in a 4 x 5 ratio.

If anyone could point me towards a source, or suggest how these could be manufactured affordably, I’d be very appreciative.

Thank you.

Answer 1

I agree with Elmy's comment about glass being a bad choice for this application. But if you are intent on using it, here are some ideas.

• Microscope slides are roughly the width you want and can be cut to length. A skilled glass cutter (say someone who makes windows or works with stained or leaded glass), can quickly cut strips and pieces from a sheet.
• Glass corners and edges can be ground smooth by doing it under water. You can even cut glass microscope slides to length with a scissors this way; snip them submerged in a basin of water.
• You can melt glass in a microwave kiln. Microwave kilns are relatively inexpensive to buy or even make yourself, and can melt glass and metals in a home microwave oven. Melted glass jewelry is commonly made in these.