NationStates Jolt Archive

I was reading through Practical Mechanics for Boys on Gutenberg
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/22298
and came across a bit where it says that you can cut glass to shape with a pair of shears if you do it under running water.

Now I haven't tried it so I don't know if it actually works, but assuming it does how the hell does simply being under water stop the glass just cracking or shattering?


Also those stainless steel bars that you use like soap to remove the smell of garlic from your hands - what is going on there?

The immersion in water avoid high frequency resonance that would normally cause glass to shatter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2RLzzNNNwg
Don't do like here still wear gloves.

The immersion in water avoid high frequency resonance that would normally cause glass to shatter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2RLzzNNNwg
Don't do like here still wear gloves.

Yes, I was thinking the running water was for washing away all the blood . . .

As for the "stainless steel soap," WIki sayeth:

A stainless steel soap is a piece of stainless steel, usually in the shape of a soap bar. Its purpose is to neutralize or reduce strong odours from the hands, present from handling odorous ingredients such as garlic, onion or fish.[1] The shape of a soap bar is purely decorative and any piece of stainless steel, such as a spoon, can be used for the same purpose.


There are similar applications, such as stainless steel disks in shoes and dishwashers, that are used to absorb odors. [2]

In the absence of plausible chemical explanations of why this may work, or experiments using controls, it is unknown whether the stainless steel soap is actually effective. Stainless steel soaps are often advertised for use with water; so it is likely that sulfurous compounds either dissolve directly in the water or their removal is catalyzed by the steel, if indeed the odor removal is measurably greater with stainless steel than any other substance.

Stainless steel consists of mainly iron and chromium, and contains a thin layer of chromium (III) oxide on its surface. Metal oxides are Lewis acids and readily catalyze oxidations. Iron and chromium oxides can be used as oxidation catalysts, effective for industrial-scale oxidation of odorous reduced sulfur compounds at a temperature of 180 C.[3] For this to occur to begin with, the compounds must adsorb on the metal oxide surface. Chromium(III) may also act as an adsorbent only. Another plausible explanation is that a thin layer of grease, containing the odorous compounds, is rubbed off mechanically onto the steel surface.

Yes, I was thinking the running water was for washing away all the blood . . .

had to add the glove thing warning for liability purposes.

had to add the glove thing warning for liability purposes.

I imagine it is quite hard to pick all the bits of glass out of the sink while wearing gloves. Probably best not done in a bath or shower.

I imagine it is quite hard to pick all the bits of glass out of the sink while wearing gloves. Probably best not done in a bath or shower.

Just a attach a filter to keep glass from going down the drain. then drain the water when your dun cutting.

And this is why you need to wear gloves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBMtbVonAIg&feature=related