Amazing but true. It is possible to punch a roughly circular
hole in a piece of glass or mirror with a hammer.
Steps
- Start out with a clean piece of 1/4" thick plate glass or
mirror approximately 18" square. Any defects in the glass (such as
nicks or scratches) will reduce your chances of success.
- Using a glass cutter with its tip lubricated with light oil,
make several short scores (approximately 3/8" long) several inches
(say 4 or 5) away from the approximate center of the glass. These
"scores" should be nearly on top of each other.
- With the glass supported on a soft surface such as a towel,
begin lightly tapping the center of the glass with an ordinary
metal hammer. Rhythm and pressure are the key to success. Establish
a regular beat (say, once a second or a little faster) and
gradually build up the force of the blows. What's happening is that
you're creating a shock wave that is radiating from the center to
the edge of the glass in concentric circles. When the wave reaches
a level that exceeds the strength of the glass, it will break it at
its weakest point. The scores you made some distance from the
center are the weak point and when it breaks, the break line
follows the circle of the shock wave that triggered the break.
- Voila! With a little luck, you have punched a hole in a piece
of glass.
Tips
- Some glass has manufacturing defects that can spoil this
experiment.
- Even using the best materials and techniques, this trick will
be successful about half the time.
Warnings
- This is obviously dangerous. After all, we're talking about
beating glass with a hammer. Gloves, safety glasses and appropriate
clothing are recommended as is a safe work area.
- The circle of glass that results from a successful attempt has
the sharpest, pointiest edge you'll ever see. Be very careful or
you'll spill blood.
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