MTFCA Forum

I need an upper windshield for my 1919 Touring (if anyone has one available) and have found the attached pattern. The original glass is broken and wasn't cut right to begin with so I plan to have one cut to the pattern specs. The glass cutter assumed the radius of the rounded corners is 2-9/16" while to me, it looks like the drawing says it's a 3" radius with some sort of edge work like a chamfer. Anyone know for sure... or have glass ready to go?

Thanks
Matt

As a former draftsman, I would say the 2 9/16ths is the radius to cut the glass and the 3" is the start of the 1/32" chamfer.
If you are using the brass setting channel, caution the glass fitter to smooth the glass edges carefully. I have broken a couple windshield and found them rough there.
Rich

Rich

yes, yes, and yes

Matt

let the glass guy do his thing...between him and the drawing and having the channel as a double check, it falls on him to make it fit. Rich's advice on smoooooothness is an excellent one.

Some glass fitters will not use the nickel plated (brass) channels for various reasons. Some will say the glass won’t fit right and etc. If the glass shop won’t use them find one that will. If you still have your channels they will clean up nicely with polishing cloths. Do it before the glass is installed. You can do it after but it takes longer to do it. A windshield really stands out with cleaned up window channels. And it makes for a neat looking job where that detail stands out.

Many thanks for the responses. It looks like 2-9/16" is the radius then. I am doing this mail order because there is no local glass place and the glass cutter won't have access to my frame so anything I can do to make sure it's cut correctly.

Vendors use to sell glass cut to factory specs. Have you checked with them.

Matt,
I checked and according to the inter-web, there are 3 auto glass shops in Charleston WV., one has been in business for 45 years. I would recommend a local glass shop cut and install your windshield glass. I would talk to someone face to face and be in agreement that they will use the metal setting channel (not tape), laminated safety glass w/o the safety stencle, and they polish the exposed edge.

BOYOBOY sending this job out is a big risk in so many ways

Humblej wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 03, 2023 2:54 pm

Matt,
I checked and according to the inter-web, there are 3 auto glass shops in Charleston WV., one has been in business for 45 years. I would recommend a local glass shop cut and install your windshield glass. I would talk to someone face to face and be in agreement that they will use the metal setting channel (not tape), laminated safety glass w/o the safety stencle, and they polish the exposed edge.

Finding one that will cut flat glass is the issue. That said, I just got back from the one you're talking about. I took the Ford specs, which they did not want saying "we've cut 70 million of them". They quoted $71 on the phone, but when I got there a different person quoted $147. To say they were hostile is putting it lightly. I have no idea how they've managed to stay in business and I don't have much confidence in what I will get back.

Call these folks. They specialize in flat glass for old cars, hot rods and custom builds. This company and others are listed under classic car auto glass. https://streetrodglass.com/glass-kits/
There should be companies in your State that are similar.