Cutting a large mirror in place. How not to do it.

Attempt at cutting a 9' mirror in place without taking it down. Builder grade mirror cut with it still on the wall. I failed but maybe you can learn something from this or if you did it successfully you can tell us how you did it.

[@sama1s2d3]

I appreciate your honesty in showing something that didnt work. Truth be told, those things are as educational & helpful-- maybe more-- than the videos where things work perfectly.

[@joegage4768]

…was about to try this in 2 bathrooms. I REALLY appreciate your posting so we could learn from your experience!!!

[@scottmattox860]

So I had done some research any everyone says that it can’t be done. However as of about an hour ago I successfully cut 1/2” off of a mirror that was still glued to the wall. Not saying I didn’t get lucky but I used a variable speed dremel tool with the ez chuck and diamond cutting disc. I say I used the ez chuck because it allows the disc to flex ever so slightly so it doesn’t bind. I used painters tape and marked the mirror scored the surface lightly and went back to start cutting.I used a squirt bottle and kept the cutting surface wet and went slow at about 15k rpm. I was successful but it took a lot of time and patience. If anyone else try’s this let me know if you get the same results or if I was just extremely lucky.

[@Catchmeifyoucan209Stockton]

Damm just want to Frame mine in but I need to go around all 4 sides lol

[@lisajswan]

That’s a great idea to use a dremel and diamond cutting tool. Wish you had that on video.

[@rachelfriedman3609]

Thank you for posting this helpful video. We have an identical situation. After seeing your video, I will not even attempt to remove the mirror. Oftentimes one learns more from failures than from success.

[@christophershepherd9475]

Thanks so much for posting this. You saved me from making a big mess.

[@yankinsheffield]

Thanks! I was going to attempt something like this - I'm reconsidering.

[@rlabistr]

Thanks for the video! I too was wondering if this could be done and as most others stated, at least you gave it a try!

[@tailgatetalk]

And now we know! My loss your gain. Thanks for the comment, like and subscribe.

[@jcfnu]

The attempt was great brother. Thanks for the ideas

[@ronald5728]

I have removed several of those huge mirrors. I remove it in one piece. You need a second helper to do it. To remove the mirror you have to make like 3 or 4 wood wedges. They need to be tapered and about one inch thick. Place the wedge at the top of the mirror and hammer it in downwards, doing all at the same time. The wedge will separate the glue from the wall. The helper has to brace the mirror while you 're working and help lift it off the bottom bracket.

[@jamesvitale3455]

Great video. I was about to try that same technique because the builder's grade mirror we have has no way to access the edges. It is framed in crown molding and cabinets.

[@johnwakefield5633]

You have to make room for the glass to break! The bottom 4 inches has to be able to flex downwards (ie towards the wall) in order to run the break. The only chance you have is to hammer wooden shims under the mirror just above the score line - but these shims would really have to be almost 8 feet long to avoid the crack running upwards.

[@tiffanygayle4537]

Years ago as a young stay at home mom/diy’r.. I used a sledge hammer to break a 6’ mirror like yours without removing it. It was scary but I lived to tell! Lol. I’m trying to find a safer way now that I’m much older and have an 85’ mirror!

[@joepullukat9646]

Thanks for the video. Really helpful.

[@maxjones7958]

Thanks for attempting. I have a HUGE mirror. Too big to remove on my own so was considering cutting in place vertically in half to remove in two pieces. Now debating...

[@tailgatetalk]

Hopefully, my failure saved you from attempting it. I recommend putting down a heavy tarp, put on eye/body protection, and just start breaking it. Assuming the adhesive is strong, it will not fall in big, life-threatening chunks. Stay safe! I appreciate the like and subscribe if it helped you out.

[@Itaintnutn]

I was going to try it... NOW I will not. Thanks for posting!

[@rodneym1390]

Very helpful video. Thank you.

[@kurtkuntzmann7405]

Wondering...would drilling a small hole on each end of your "score" have prevented the crack? Maybe use A small diamond tile drill bit with water?

[@theblogauthority]

Thank you for this video. We were going to try to cut a bathroom mirror in one of our rentals. Guess we had better either leave it alone.. or get a professional to come out and replace it.

[@nick-ve2tj]

@tlg8talk could you have glued a piece of wood the same dims as the backsplash to the mirror and then glue backsplash to wood?

[@lilang7406]

I wish builders would quit gluing mirrors to walls. It would be so nice for future remodels if they would just hang a framed mirror. My hubby and I have a similar situation. We called a glass company out and even they said they couldn’t guarantee breakage or damage. We decided to tackle it ourselves and sadly half the mirror shattered. Such a pain.

[@nikkion2140]

Yes, totally agreed. God knows why they did that in the first place. Very annoying, I am working on a property we just bought and we have in the bathroom 3 mirrored walls to ceiling without gaps. We want the mirrors all out !

[@denisehackman2514]

Very puny! A pain!!

[@tonyjrod88]

I tried doing the exact same thing 2 days ago LOL... Unfortunately got the same result!

[@boots7859]

I've got about 12' of mirrored wall to remove and happened across your vid. Good attempt for a non-pro, regardless of the peanut gallery. Don't know how possible it would be for anyone, including a 'pro' to do what you wanted to do with it glued to the wall.

[@php777]

That’s exactly what I need to do too. I wonder if some sort of hot wire across the length Of the mirror would cut it???

[@stephaniegamble7317]

I am going to try this also. I have a much smaller mirror. If it works great if not I have it in the budget to replace it.

[@mckeon1960]

I'm new to glass cutting, but I heard at the end you went over score a few times, you should not do this you need to run a new score, have oil on you cutter :) great video

[@mosestorres6553]

That was a good idea, the screwed down 2x4 and the board you screwed the glass cutter to ect. Who would have thought of that? I know that if you had to cut a 2nd mirror you would have successfully done it. A+ for effort!

[@ivanobar1]

I commend you for trying, sorry it did not work out. Bummer! I suppose smaller pieces might be salvageable. I am redoing a bathroom. I was thinking of doing as you did without the cabinets; attaching my wood below the mirror and attaching my guide wood to it to where I need to cut. Rather than drag the wood I would just drag the cutter on the wood as a guide. I also plan on making multiple passes. I was also going to place several layers of painters tape above (the mirror I’ll keep). I think the problem may be that the waste section of mirror and the mirror above adhere to the wall as a single unit. After my cut I will remove my wood guides and carefully remove drywall below the mirror section that will be removed; I hope that small space will allow motion so that the mirror breaks at the weakest point, my cut. Again, sorry for your results. But, creative and valiant effort. **If I am successful I plan to add wood trim around the mirror to hide any minor defects. I’ll post my results.

[@Catchmeifyoucan209Stockton]

How did it go

[@ivanobar1]

The project got delayed. But if I do it I’ll let you know how it goes.

[@TM-100]

Waiting to hear too

[@cynthiabanks7247]

Thanks for that! I was wondering how or it that could be done because we remodeled our bathroom

[@bigwon5883]

This is exactly the video I was looking for. I'm in this same predicament. A huge mirror that is glued or fixed to the wall some other way. It goes wall to wall with no space on the sides. I have no good idea how to get it down. And, a light fixture is wired through the middle.

[@ksaintz4175]

I'm looking to do something similar so ty for the video

[@chrisp.6056]

thanks for making this video

[@buddhism1019]

Thank you for the test!

[@tailgatetalk]

Exactly why I shared it. Save you time, money and the possibility of escaping a dangerous situation with a bunch of broken glass. Thanks for the comment, like, and subscribe.

[@tiffanygayle4537]

And I agree.. I’ve had lots of failures because I’m trying to figure things out I don’t do everyday. No big deal! I think of it like a game or a puzzle.

[@jking3892]

good video,,, that was the old college try ,,

[@EL-dn6rj]

I too have a large mirror glued to the bathroom wall. I need to make the mirror cut higher just like this video. My thought was to make the cut where I want the finished mirror edge. And then make a parallel cut about 1/4" below the desired finished edge. I figured it would prevent a large crack as you experienced. With the 1/4" edge remaining to be removed, I would make several vertical cuts and remove small pieces of mirror notch by notch. I'll let you know how it turns out. Any comments on my idea before I get started?

[@tailgatetalk]

I guess it's worth a try if you can't take the mirror down and cut it the right way. This video is intended to show the wrong way to do it in the hopes it will save people time and possible injury from trying to cut the mirror in place as I did. Stay safe and thanks for the like & subscribe.

[@EL-dn6rj]

@@tailgatetalk Safety is a definite concern. I'll have tape on the mirror and someone else present should the larger part of the mirror (the part I want to keep on the wall) come loose. I also plan to wear the disposable painter's jumpsuit to eliminate the chance of glass crystals being caught in clothing and to wear safety glasses. I'm going to tackle the project in the next week or so and I'll keep you posted. Thank you for your help!

[@victoriamalone8170]

How did your mirror turn out?

[@EL-dn6rj]

@@victoriamalone8170 Hi Victoria. I decided to leave well enough alone. I didn’t want to run the risk of replacing a rather large mirror should my trim result in crack lines

[@tartisan]

@@EL-dn6rj Smart choice.

[@roberto5665]

Thank you so much

[@stevenc8140]

Hey at least you tried. I’m going vertical on my cut about 3 ft. Wish me luck!

[@stevenc8140]

It didn’t work like yours

[@cyphi1]

@@stevenc8140 what happened?

[@stevenc8140]

@@cyphi1 ​ @Feral Cypher Hey Feral. Cutting The mirror I had was 40 inches'X 60 inches...I couldn't get a good bite with the glass cutter to the far left of where it was mounted. I guess I made the cardinal sin and "Re-cut" the same groove over trying to ensure I got all the way to the left! I didn't! It was going good until the last 6-8inches! DAMMIT The mirror formed a "sickle" type crack that entered the good area!!! I tossed it and found a FREE Tri-fold. Which for a bathroom is better for women and their hair!

[@ruthjoubert508]

I wonder if you had put painters tape or gorilla tape along the cut line if that would have stopped the crack run?

[@tailgatetalk]

Doubtful. Several professionals have commented saying this entire idea was a "fools errand". Be safe and don't try it. Thanks for the like and subscribe.

[@mr.e7022]

We are faced with this same problem but in our case we want the mirror shorted. Here is my thought, score it vertically with a glass cutter, THEN use an angle grinder with a glass cutting blade just pass the scored line. If this works we will trim the cut edge with some sort metal trim to cover any chips. So what does everyone think?

[@tailgatetalk]

That might just work but take all precautions and assume the mirror will break and possibly fall. Worst case I know, but plan for it and stay safe. Thanks for watching and the like & subscribe!

[@yubemful]

How did you remove the vanity top without removing the mirror first?

[@kennedykrewoutdoors5392]

I got to do this with my mirror as I replace my vanity. I’m gonna try it 1st.

[@tailgatetalk]

I was hoping the video would convince you otherwise. It's really not a good idea. Dangerous in fact. Take the existing one down, patch the wall and go get a hanging mirror from Wayfair or something. Be safe! Thanks for watching and the like & subscribe!

[@kennedykrewoutdoors5392]

I took off and it really was simple.

[@azdesertnews7563]

Thanks I have the same issue!

[@RaulTorresMorfin]

I need to do the same but cut it vertically!! Any advice?

[@OneNonlyKelz]

Raul Torres don’t do it . Take it not the wall if you want to do it

[@Loretajean]

Good try, I'm thinking about doing the same thing, but I guess I better pass,

[@debradarcy2161]

all though it did not work Thank You for doing it!

[@charlesthomas7466]

Do not do it with the glass standing vertically .... make a cut while on its back. All that weight is pushing down was creating mini cracks as you tapped it.

[@bg76843]

Good try!

[@JD-un2zv]

If you could get the cut up off the wall enough to put a spliter behind it, but then of course then the mirror would no longer be bound to the wall and fall.. not safe..

[@tailgatetalk]

Exactly! I posted this video to save people from hurting themselves as well. Thanks for the comment and I hope your mirror turned out better than mine.

[@cynwashere6940]

This is a no shit for me. If its glued to the wall its not gunna break right because the pressure will be uneven. Technically it has to bend to break on the seam. Of course its gunna stay stuck to the wall and just crack

[@tailgatetalk]

Great hindsight. Thanks.

[@ometekglass3567]

I can't believe you tapped on the cut from the front 😂😂

[@tartisan]

@@ometekglass3567 I can't believe you would mock a guy for trying something, even though he clearly has no experience with cutting glass. I commend the man for posting his attempt and for trying to warn others that might be considering something similar about the safety risks. You seem like kind of a dickhole.

[@lindamartin8949]

You should of shamed from the bottom after you cut it

[@tailgatetalk]

It was a blessing it didn't work. The bathroom looks much nicer with hung mirrors that my wife scored from Marshall's for $200. So trying to save money by saving old builder-grade materials is not always the best option. This was dangerously dumb anyway.

[@OneNonlyKelz]

Never cut a mirror mounted to a wall. When you cut a mirror you have to break from the opposite side you score on . You were tapping it on the wrong side that’s why people take the mirror off to tap the other side but a true professional doesn’t need to tap it anyways . I’m a glass Professional

[@bmarie8965]

i want to cut 1/4 of the mirror and dont mind if that part breaks, can I do that?. i dont want the rest to break because i still need that bigger piece left up on wall

[@jolieo78jonas]

Get over ya self.. 😂

[@rick138]

It's impossible to cut it without removing it from the wall .

[@tailgatetalk]

Now we know... Thanks for watching and the like & subscribe!

[@stevenc8140]

You know all these ("Experts") with glass are good to go with the "ARM Chair" techniques to cut mounted glass mirrors! Me if I was a Professional. I'd shut up and JUST DO IT with a Video! Oil this, cut that, first, second, errors ....Jeeze! Shut UP!

[@tailgatetalk]

I know, right?!?!? The title of the video is literally what not to do. Thanks for the moral support, like and subscribe.

[@dickfrenulum1630]

Whoops!