Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers

Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers blow, mould, press, cut, trim, grind and polish glass, shape molten glass according to patterns.

Skill level: Semi-skilled

Check your Wage

  • Salary range for the majority of workers in Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers - from $1,777 to $4,308 per month - 2024.
  • A Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers typically earns between $1,777 and $2,862 gross per month at the start of the job.
  • After 5 years of service, this is between $1,881 and $3,317 per month for a working week of 40 hours.

Tasks and duties

  • Heating glass to pliable stage using gas flames or ovens, and rotating glass to heat it uniformly
  • Blowing and bending glass tubing into specified shapes to form scientific apparatus such as flasks, retorts and pipettes
  • Grinding and polishing glass objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing and smoothening and polishing rough edges, using belt sanders or polishing wheels
  • Examining glass stock and finished products and marking or discarding items with defects such as spots, stains, scars, snags, chips, scratches or unacceptable shapes or finishes
  • Reading work orders to determine dimensions, cutting locations and quantities to cut
  • Observing gauges, computer printouts and video monitors to verify specified processing conditions and make adjustments as necessary
  • Positioning patterns or drawings on glass, measuring dimensions, and marking cutting lines, using glass cutting tools and cutting glass along marked outlines or around pattern
  • Setting up, operating and adjusting computerized or robotic glass cutting equipment
  • Inspecting, weighing and measuring products to verify conformity with specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, callipers, magnifiers and rulers
  • Regulating oven temperatures according to glass types to be processed
  • Transferring patterns for individual stained glass parts from full size drawings to pattern paper, using stylus to trace drawings
  • Spraying silver solution on glass to provide mirrored surface, using spray guns
  • Laying out, cutting and grinding optical and other glass to specified dimensions and weight for moulding into lens blanks and for use as watch crystals
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