Good cutout tools???

[Glasshog]

Let me preface this by saying I have been in the glass business for about 16 years. I have almost always worked in a full service glass shop, doing mostly residential and auto. Now that I have opened up my own shop, (full service) I am looking to purchase a good, well rounded cutout tool that can be used in and out of the shop. I have almost always used nothing more than a cold knife and a long knife. When I get to a tough one, I sometimes use wire. Go ahead and laugh. Wiring out a w/s by yourself is no fun. For the most part I do all this solo. I have used an Equalizer in the past, and years ago used a Fein knife. The Equalizer seemed to work pretty well, the Fein I didn't care for. There are some new tools out there that I have seen advertised, but I don't have the funds to buy the wrong tool and get stuck with it. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
I also would like some ideas about a good suction cup to assist in solo installs. Some of these bigger w/s are tough to get set without some help, and the help is not always there.

[Lee]

We use Fein for top and sides, Extractor for lower sides and bottom. The Extractor we have has a super long Express blade in it. With this blade you don't have to worry about hitting the dash and I can usually cut the bottom from outside the vehicle. If you have had a DW1319 or a DW1529 with 2-3 inches of thane across the bottom you know what a pain these are. With the extractor and lots of water as lube and a sharp blade it takes 2-3 min to take out the bottoms of these glasses. We also use all the other tools you mention as we have evolved with them. The BTB is also a good tool as is Equalizer it's just that it takes time to become proficient with any tool. But I tell you I wished I had a Extractor when they came out(would of saved a lot of work).


Lee
ALAN AUTO GLASS
599 S BONNYWOOD PLACE
BURBANK, CA. 91502
818-845-7300 Phn Office
818-464-5909 Cel
818-845-7355 Fax
AAAGLASSS@AOL.COM
http://alanautoglass.com/

[new2thebiz]

if your setting a w/s by yourself, try a "setting stick" from equalizer there around 80.00. its a great tool when your by yourself. get there new catolog it has everything youll ever need http://www.equalizer.com

[streekyd]

Make your own from a hokey stick, that's where the idea comes from.

[AGN]

I've always wondered how those setting sticks worked. From the pictures I've seen I just can't quite understand what the process is or how it works.

Someone send some photos. lol

AGN

[new2thebiz]

haveto use one tue will take pics

[AGN]

Thanks that would be great. I just can't see how something like that wouldn't get in the way or touch the bead or something.

AGN

[streekyd]

One end has a notch that can rest around or on the windshield wiper post. It is long enough to rest on the roof of the car. From the lower end up there are several holes that a post or dowel fit in. The holes start from a few inches up from the wiper post and there are several spaced going up. This is used for setting the W/S on, you choose one spot. Because of the length of the stick it keeps the WS off the urethane while you set your side, once set go to the other side of the vehicle hold the glass and remove the setting stick then set the glass in place.
You can purchase the Equalizer one, or make one from lexan or plastic. Or old school get an old hockey stick and fasion one from that.

[AGN]

Sounds like it might be worth having. Does it work well on two-man sets? Being a solo shop thats where I always run into trouble. Trying to find someone to help set a big @$$ windshield.

AGN

[Lee]

If you have 2 people to set a w/s you don't need this tool. Come on AGN WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!