Radiused wheels for glass lathe

Process & Production

Radiused wheels are used in combination with a lathe to cut and carve the surface of glass. They have a rounded profile and some types are also known as olive or full circle wheels.

They are usually either stone wheels, or sintered or electroplated diamond. Various effects and textures can be achieved using different profiles of wheel, as they come in a range of widths and diameters. Radiused wheels are often used to remove punty marks from the bases of blown glass pieces, to create lenses in the glass surface, or to produce textured effects including ‘battuto’, where many individual marks are carved into the surface.

When using the wheels, the glass can be marked in advance using permanent marker or chinagraph pencil and then carved on the wheel with a continuous feed of water to prevent cracking caused by thermal shock. Images show some of the many patterns that can be created using this type of wheel.