<p>There are a few different ways to do this, but most of them involve extremes of temperature: first <strong>intense heat along the line where you want to cut the bottle</strong>, and then <strong>submerging in cold water</strong>, repeated several times if necessary.</p>

<ol>
<li><h2>A Song of Water and Fire</h2>

<p>This method assumes you have a tool with which to score the glass, for instance a glass drill bit or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_cutter">glass cutter</a>, both of which should be reasonably inexpensive to get hold of. First use this to mark the line along which you want to cut the bottle. Then <strong>apply heat to this line</strong>; you can do this in a couple of different ways:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>by rotating the bottle slowly over an open flame, making sure the flame is directly under the score line so that it doesn't heat too broad an area of the bottle</p></li>
<li><p>by pouring a thin stream of boiling water onto the score line from above, again trying not to let it cover too wide an area</p></li>
</ul>

<p><br>
After heating the bottle up along the score line, <strong>dunk it in a pail of cold water</strong> (which you should have prepared beforehand). The shock of passing from heat to cold should weaken the bottle and make it likely to crack along the existing score line.</p>

<p>It's likely that the bottle won't break the first time you do this, but keep repeating the process multiple times (heat, cold water, heat, cold water) and eventually the bottle should snap in the right place.</p></li>
<li><h2>String and nail polish remover</h2>

<p>Again the basic idea is to alternate extreme heat with extreme cold, but this time you don't need to have a scoring tool because you'll be using a piece of string. You also need something containing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetone">acetone</a>, the most commonly used example being nail polish remover.</p>

<p>Take a piece of string, <strong>soak it in nail polish remover</strong> (or anything else acetoney), and wrap it around the place where you want to cut the bottle. Then <strong>set the string on fire</strong>, which will apply intense heat to the narrow area on the bottle around where the string is tied. (Obviously, you need to take care that the string doesn't slip to a different position on the bottle. Even more obviosuly, make sure you don't have any of the acetone on your fingers and that the bottle of nail polish remover is placed well away from the flame.) When the flame burns out or you feel enough heat has been applied, <strong>dunk the bottle in a pail of cold water</strong> as before to provide the stress necessary to crack it.</p>

<p>Again, this is unlikely to work the first time, but you can keep repeating the process, either re-soaking the string to light it again or replacing it by a new piece of string if necessary.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Whichever method you use, the bottle may not snap completely cleanly, so you should use some sandpaper to smooth off the edge of the broken bottle before using it.</p>

<p>You can see pictures and videos of the process <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-cut-a-bottle-with-string-and-nail-polish-re/?ALLSTEPS">here</a> and <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Cut-a-Glass-Bottle">here</a>. I'll try to add some images and hopefully gifs to this answer later on.</p>

<p><sub>There's also an urban myth that you can cut glass underwater with just an ordinary pair of scissors. I'm not sure whether or not this is true, and I haven't gone to research it, simply because it wouldn't be relevant for your problem anyway. A rigid object in the shape of a hollow cylinder can't be cut with a pair of scissors whatever material it's made of; the underwater cutting, it true, would only work for flat panes of glass.</sub></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-23T18:39:50.030Z
I wonder what the incentive of cutting underwater is. You can only do it with flat glass. Edges would be very rough. Then you have water with a bunch of glass in it. It's been done for decades apparently. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usZ8MQzbglk. Doubt it at all applies to cutting a glass bottle in the way desired here.
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-23T18:42:14.767Z
@Matt Agreed, it doesn't applied here. That's why I only mentioned it in a footnote at the end. Admittedly I did typo "wouldn't" to "would", but I've now fixed that :-)
Rand al'Thor
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-23T19:27:04.177Z
Regarding your method #2, most people won't need this tip, but just in case... After tying the string around the bottle, wash all flammable liquids from fingers before lighting a flame!!!
James
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-24T00:01:12.437Z
@James I wasn't going to include the obvious safety advice, since surely everyone here doesn't really need it. But perhaps I will, just to be on the safe side.
Rand al'Thor
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-24T01:42:48.550Z
I'm always a fan of erring on the side of more safety advice (you never know when somebody might accidentally set themselves on fire) -- so thanks :)
Erica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-24T09:14:05.417Z
@Matt It looks to me that the cutting underwater technique is simply to stop shards of glass flying around your workroom, eyes and mug of tea. You can certainly nibble glass like that in the air, but doing it underwater is a pretty neat way of doing it safely.
Whelkaholism
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-24T10:58:53.757Z
@Whelkaholism the water is supposed to encourage crack propagation, You certainly get different (bigger, cleaner) shards to trying to cut glass with scissors in air, but you don't get a clean cut (having tried it with microscope slides).
Chris H
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-24T11:31:25.367Z
@ChrisH Well, you learn something new every day :)
Whelkaholism
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-23T18:07:31.910Z
2016-05-24T00:12:51.500Z
2016-05-24T00:12:51.500Z
Rand al'Thor
<p>There is yet another, more elegant solution, requiring no cutting tools.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Safety goggles or glasses. Protect your eyes.</p></li>
<li><p>Gather the following materials: </p>

<ul>
<li>Large metal bowl (common kitchen bowl)</li>
<li>Glass to Cut</li>
<li>Cooking oil</li>
<li>piece of iron, to be held by tongs or pliers.</li>
<li>Lighter, torch, or gas stove top</li>
</ul></li>
<li><p>Fill the glass container up to the place that you want it cut. </p></li>
<li><p>Set the glass container in the metal bowl, and fill the bowl up with water to match (or be just a smidge below) the level of water in the glass container.</p></li>
<li><p>Pour oil into the water of the metal bowl. It will float on top, and there should be enough oil that the entire surface is covered.</p></li>
<li><p>Holding the piece of iron (or similar metal) with the pliers or tongs, heat it until red hot with a torch, lighter, or gas stove.</p></li>
<li><p>Holding the piece of iron (or similar metal) with the pliers or tongs, dip it (and keep holding it) into the oil floating in the metal bowl.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Voila. Glass cut.</p>

<p>Remember to wear the goggles, and to keep the heat away from skin and flammables.</p>

<p>Here's a video: <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/4e3olg/how_to_cut_a_glass_bottle/" rel="nofollow">How to cut a glass bottle</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-23T10:06:01.650Z
The video in the post you linked to appears to be fake; [here's another](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dUAdwOei78) that shows roughly the same technique.
walrus
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-23T21:09:02.720Z
2016-10-26T13:28:13.807Z
2016-10-26T13:28:13.807Z
ArthurVonBabylon
<p>There are certainly several methods to be found online however most of them can have mixed results where you edges are concerned. This can be done rather well with a scoring jig, regular glass cutter and water. Depending on how often you are going to be doing this will influence the tools and jig. </p>

<hr>

<h1>Scoring</h1>

<p>Cutting glass, so that it breaks predictably, can be done well with a glass cutter, or similar tool, and the right pressure. </p>

<p><strong>The jig</strong></p>

<p>You need to be able to move the bottle around and apply consistent pressure with the cutting tool. Again, you will find oodles of options for these jigs but a simple one involves some wood and casters. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/KIH7km.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/KIH7km.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>The frame needs a base with a tool rest and a back where the bottle bottom will rest. At least four casters will help the bottle rotate while you score the outside (I also saw two mounted rolling pins for this). The jig picture above has a dedicated adjustable cutter. This is helpful but not required. Using the side of the jig as a tool rest you can rotate the bottle with one hand while using the other to set the cutting pressure. </p>

<p><strong>Commercial products</strong></p>

<p>There are several commercial products that can do this as well if you are more comfortable. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ji8qjm.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ji8qjm.jpg" alt="Small apparatus that you can buy"></a></p>

<p>In use it would look like this. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/0awGPm.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/0awGPm.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>I have glass cutting experience but have never used a product like that. Videos of them used look very promising though if you are willing to spend the money.</p>

<h1>Break</h1>

<p>Assuming you have a good score line then it is just a matter of encouraging the glass to break. This is surprisingly easy with some boiling water and cold tap water. You basically need to rapidly change the temperature of the glass near the score. You don't need extreme temperature for this though. </p>

<p>This likely has to be repeated a couple of times. Pour over boiling water slowly and rotate the bottle while pouring. After about 10 seconds of this you can take the bottle to the cold water from the tap. </p>

<p>The change in temperature should put enough stress on the bottle and it should fall apart. If you score line was good there is minimal clean up required and some light sanding would give you a smooth surface. </p>

<p>This also give you both ends of the bottle in a usable state. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-24T12:37:06.267Z
I used to have a commercial one. This too produces irregular cuts, so don't think just because it cost more it'll be better! I use the candle/ice technique.
Mark Williams
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-24T12:52:55.907Z
@MarkWilliams This might come down to tool quality, handling and the bottle used. I have watched videos of that tool done _very_ well with clean cuts. There is no one answer to this question though.
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-23T18:30:53.267Z
2016-05-24T01:47:56.017Z
2016-05-24T01:47:56.017Z
Matt
<p>Recently at a party, I saw empty wine bottles that had the base cut off so it could be placed over a candle. It made an elegant and interesting centerpiece, and I have some very pretty wine bottles that I'd love to convert to candle covers.</p>

<p>How do I cleanly and safely cut the base off a glass bottle? I'd like a reliable method so I don't risk destroying the bottles (I don't have many of them).</p>

<glass><upcycling>
How do I cut the bottom off a glass wine bottle?
Erica
# How do I cut the bottom off a glass wine bottle?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-05-23)

Recently at a party, I saw empty wine bottles that had the base cut off so it could be placed over a candle. It made an elegant and interesting centerpiece, and I have some very pretty wine bottles that I'd love to convert to candle covers.

How do I cleanly and safely cut the base off a glass bottle? I'd like a reliable method so I don't risk destroying the bottles (I don't have many of them).

**Tags:** glass, upcycling


---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-05-23. Score: 14 | Accepted answer

There are certainly several methods to be found online however most of them can have mixed results where you edges are concerned. This can be done rather well with a scoring jig, regular glass cutter and water. Depending on how often you are going to be doing this will influence the tools and jig.

---

# Scoring

Cutting glass, so that it breaks predictably, can be done well with a glass cutter, or similar tool, and the right pressure.

**The jig**

You need to be able to move the bottle around and apply consistent pressure with the cutting tool. Again, you will find oodles of options for these jigs but a simple one involves some wood and casters.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/KIH7km.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/KIH7km.jpg)

The frame needs a base with a tool rest and a back where the bottle bottom will rest. At least four casters will help the bottle rotate while you score the outside (I also saw two mounted rolling pins for this). The jig picture above has a dedicated adjustable cutter. This is helpful but not required. Using the side of the jig as a tool rest you can rotate the bottle with one hand while using the other to set the cutting pressure.

**Commercial products**

There are several commercial products that can do this as well if you are more comfortable.

[![Small apparatus that you can buy](https://i.sstatic.net/ji8qjm.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ji8qjm.jpg)

In use it would look like this.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/0awGPm.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/0awGPm.jpg)

I have glass cutting experience but have never used a product like that. Videos of them used look very promising though if you are willing to spend the money.

# Break

Assuming you have a good score line then it is just a matter of encouraging the glass to break. This is surprisingly easy with some boiling water and cold tap water. You basically need to rapidly change the temperature of the glass near the score. You don't need extreme temperature for this though.

This likely has to be repeated a couple of times. Pour over boiling water slowly and rotate the bottle while pouring. After about 10 seconds of this you can take the bottle to the cold water from the tap.

The change in temperature should put enough stress on the bottle and it should fall apart. If you score line was good there is minimal clean up required and some light sanding would give you a smooth surface.

This also give you both ends of the bottle in a usable state.

> **Comments:**
> **username_8**: I used to have a commercial one. This too produces irregular cuts, so don't think just because it cost more it'll be better! I use the candle/ice technique.  
> **username_2**: @username_8 This might come down to tool quality, handling and the bottle used. I have watched videos of that tool done _very_ well with clean cuts. There is no one answer to this question though.  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-05-23. Score: 17

There are a few different ways to do this, but most of them involve extremes of temperature: first **intense heat along the line where you want to cut the bottle**, and then **submerging in cold water**, repeated several times if necessary.

1. ## A Song of Water and Fire

   This method assumes you have a tool with which to score the glass, for instance a glass drill bit or [glass cutter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_cutter), both of which should be reasonably inexpensive to get hold of. First use this to mark the line along which you want to cut the bottle. Then **apply heat to this line**; you can do this in a couple of different ways:

   * by rotating the bottle slowly over an open flame, making sure the flame is directly under the score line so that it doesn't heat too broad an area of the bottle
   * by pouring a thin stream of boiling water onto the score line from above, again trying not to let it cover too wide an area

   After heating the bottle up along the score line, **dunk it in a pail of cold water** (which you should have prepared beforehand). The shock of passing from heat to cold should weaken the bottle and make it likely to crack along the existing score line.

   It's likely that the bottle won't break the first time you do this, but keep repeating the process multiple times (heat, cold water, heat, cold water) and eventually the bottle should snap in the right place.
2. ## String and nail polish remover

   Again the basic idea is to alternate extreme heat with extreme cold, but this time you don't need to have a scoring tool because you'll be using a piece of string. You also need something containing [acetone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetone), the most commonly used example being nail polish remover.

   Take a piece of string, **soak it in nail polish remover** (or anything else acetoney), and wrap it around the place where you want to cut the bottle. Then **set the string on fire**, which will apply intense heat to the narrow area on the bottle around where the string is tied. (Obviously, you need to take care that the string doesn't slip to a different position on the bottle. Even more obviosuly, make sure you don't have any of the acetone on your fingers and that the bottle of nail polish remover is placed well away from the flame.) When the flame burns out or you feel enough heat has been applied, **dunk the bottle in a pail of cold water** as before to provide the stress necessary to crack it.

   Again, this is unlikely to work the first time, but you can keep repeating the process, either re-soaking the string to light it again or replacing it by a new piece of string if necessary.

Whichever method you use, the bottle may not snap completely cleanly, so you should use some sandpaper to smooth off the edge of the broken bottle before using it.

You can see pictures and videos of the process [here](http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-cut-a-bottle-with-string-and-nail-polish-re/?ALLSTEPS) and [here](http://www.wikihow.com/Cut-a-Glass-Bottle). I'll try to add some images and hopefully gifs to this answer later on.

There's also an urban myth that you can cut glass underwater with just an ordinary pair of scissors. I'm not sure whether or not this is true, and I haven't gone to research it, simply because it wouldn't be relevant for your problem anyway. A rigid object in the shape of a hollow cylinder can't be cut with a pair of scissors whatever material it's made of; the underwater cutting, it true, would only work for flat panes of glass.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I wonder what the incentive of cutting underwater is. You can only do it with flat glass. Edges would be very rough. Then you have water with a bunch of glass in it. It's been done for decades apparently. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usZ8MQzbglk. Doubt it at all applies to cutting a glass bottle in the way desired here.  
> **username_1**: @username_2 Agreed, it doesn't applied here. That's why I only mentioned it in a footnote at the end. Admittedly I did typo "wouldn't" to "would", but I've now fixed that :-)  
> **username_3**: Regarding your method #2, most people won't need this tip, but just in case... After tying the string around the bottle, wash all flammable liquids from fingers before lighting a flame!!!  
> **username_1**: @username_3 I wasn't going to include the obvious safety advice, since surely everyone here doesn't really need it. But perhaps I will, just to be on the safe side.  
> **username_0**: I'm always a fan of erring on the side of more safety advice (you never know when somebody might accidentally set themselves on fire) -- so thanks :)  
> **username_4**: @username_2 It looks to me that the cutting underwater technique is simply to stop shards of glass flying around your workroom, eyes and mug of tea. You can certainly nibble glass like that in the air, but doing it underwater is a pretty neat way of doing it safely.  
> **username_5**: @username_4 the water is supposed to encourage crack propagation, You certainly get different (bigger, cleaner) shards to trying to cut glass with scissors in air, but you don't get a clean cut (having tried it with microscope slides).  
> **username_4**: @username_5 Well, you learn something new every day :)  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2016-05-23. Score: 9

There is yet another, more elegant solution, requiring no cutting tools.

1. Safety goggles or glasses. Protect your eyes.
2. Gather the following materials:

   * Large metal bowl (common kitchen bowl)
   * Glass to Cut
   * Cooking oil
   * piece of iron, to be held by tongs or pliers.
   * Lighter, torch, or gas stove top
3. Fill the glass container up to the place that you want it cut.
4. Set the glass container in the metal bowl, and fill the bowl up with water to match (or be just a smidge below) the level of water in the glass container.
5. Pour oil into the water of the metal bowl. It will float on top, and there should be enough oil that the entire surface is covered.
6. Holding the piece of iron (or similar metal) with the pliers or tongs, heat it until red hot with a torch, lighter, or gas stove.
7. Holding the piece of iron (or similar metal) with the pliers or tongs, dip it (and keep holding it) into the oil floating in the metal bowl.

Voila. Glass cut.

Remember to wear the goggles, and to keep the heat away from skin and flammables.

Here's a video: [How to cut a glass bottle](https://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/4e3olg/how_to_cut_a_glass_bottle/).

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: The video in the post you linked to appears to be fake; [here's another](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dUAdwOei78) that shows roughly the same technique.  

---

