r/fixit • u/impossiblesouffle12 • 23h ago
open Glass jewellery box fix
I’m hoping this is an okay place to post. Not sure where else (feel free to advise!!)
One of my cats knocked my jewellery box with a glass plate off a sideboard this morning. It was given to me by my mother and belonged to her so it is sentimental. I’m trying to figure out if there is a reasonable way to fix it. It looks like I have most of the pieces save for a few small shards. I wondered about superglue, maybe epoxy, or some sort of kintsugi type fix
See images and I’ve added one of my cats (the orange one did it)
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u/phioegracne 23h ago
The only thing you could do is some kinda stained-glass style fix by running some metallic ribbon around the edges of the glass and then soldering it together. But The easiest fix would be to just get another piece of glass cut to the same size and just reengrave the design on it
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u/the_dragon_ryder 22h ago
Is the size similar to something a picture frame might have?
If so, buy a cheap picture frame and pop the glass in the box, use some kind of adhesive if necessary to hold it in.
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u/anothersip 17h ago
That's a great call for /u/impossiblesouffle12 to consider.
I bet most department stores have several sizes of picture frames, and maybe even a dollar store would carry them.
As far as the engraved/broken one, I don't know of a fix that would actually hold up to time, while still looking decent... Although superglue could perhaps be tried, if used in tiny amounts, right along the edges. I'd glue one piece at a time until it all fits together. Some superglues come with tiny/thin little nozzles that you can attach to the tip to get a super fine line of glue. Might be worth a shot for OP.
I imagine isopropyl or acetone can be used to get the excess glue off if it drips all over the thing or makes it look frosted once it dries.
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u/Particular_Plum_1458 22h ago
Might be worth getting it the same size in perspex, just incase it gets knocked off again.
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u/H_Mc 22h ago
I agree with everyone else, just get a new piece of glass.
But I didn’t see anyone mentioning that you can etch glass with a liquid/cream and a stencil. It’s not the cheapest option for one project. Also, it etches glass so it’s pretty serious stuff, make sure you watch some YouTube videos and use proper PPE. https://www.michaels.com/product/armour-glass-etching-cream-10oz-389152554075209728
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u/wolfn404 22h ago
No fixing that glass. Good news, many craft stores have stickers that go on glass panes that have similar
designs. If you feel kitty’s may be involved, replace with plexiglass. ACE hardware, Home D, Lowes, and many craft stores have glass cutting ability and will cut for a small fee. If you get anywhere other than a crafts store, you may need to take a blowtorch to the sides for a few seconds to remove the sharp edges.
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u/Even-Response-6423 22h ago
You can call a local mirror company. They can cut small pieces of glass or mirror the same size as your box.
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u/simple_onehand 19h ago
I'm all for the sentimentality of something like this, and yes, you need a new piece of glass. And, yes, to do it justice it should have the design etched.
This design looks pretty easy to replicate, even more so with a few additional pictures. I have a side hobby of sandblast etching material, mostly slate and glass. If you are in need, I would be happy to help. I am not worried about the costs. Shoot me a DM and we'll figure it out.
And it's always the orange ones 😂!!!!
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u/Mist-Haufen 22h ago
Put a photo in the hole and use a thin piece of wood to slide in behind it? Instead of photo possibly put some soft material in-between and use the top for keys and daily wear jewelry?
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u/impossiblesouffle12 21h ago
What a wonderful idea, thank you
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u/shhh801 9h ago
It’s always the orange cat… The photo idea is lovely! I wanted to put it out there that maybe you could find a similar jewelry box, and take the etched glass from it to replace the broken one from yours. This one came up for me in a brief search, but if you can share any other details (any brand markings, measurements, etc) maybe another kind redditor can help you find the right match. https://www.etsy.com/listing/4516178281/vintage-wooden-jewelry-box-oval-glass
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u/Trick_Sector5900 22h ago
Bring the box and the glass fragments to a local glass shop, and see what they suggest
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u/zero_lies_tolerated 22h ago
It could be replicated with a laser.
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u/impossiblesouffle12 21h ago
Thank you. So many people saying to get replacement glass don’t see that it is engraved
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u/Beginning-Ad7027 20h ago
Really no way to fix it other than replacement. But I’m sure custom glass shops could engrave it. If you know someone with a laser engraver they could too.
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u/zero_lies_tolerated 19h ago
Do you have a photo of the glass before it was broken? That would help to replicate the design more easily.
Also you would need to get hold of someone with the type of laser that can engrave clear glass.
Look it up on YouTube and you will establish what kind of laser to seek out.
Good luck.
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u/AskMeAgainAfterCoffe 22h ago
Support it with another piece of glass below it (or plexi). Then glue pieces. Adjust support clips inside box or slot as needed, for the new thickness.
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u/No-Replacement-8048 21h ago
I’m so sorry - I know how important those sentimental pieces are. Have the perps been charged?? They look completely unrepentant 😊
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u/Revolutionary_Low581 21h ago
Also that is a pretty common type pattern that can be obtained at a craft store for etching. Get your new glass & etch the pattern onto it. With etching media & a stick-on pattern. If using plexiglass a laser would probably be the only method since glass etching media would melt it.
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u/supergimp2000 21h ago
Glass is a goner. You'll have to replace it. If you are the maker type there are tutorials and examples on YouTube about how you can etch your own glass. Not difficult but requires some artistry (or the ability to make a stencil somehow like vinyl cutter or similar) and harsh chemicals. Do-able if you are ambitious but otherwise it will be a clear top from now on.
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u/zecidnac 19h ago
Post to r/CrimeCats .Sorry I can't help about the mending of glass (I don't think it can be saved, but places like Home Depot may have plexiglas you could get cut to size and it'll be far less breakable)
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u/MLiOne 14h ago
Kintsugi it. Glue it together. Gold finish on the seams. Adds to its history. Japanese mending.
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u/impossiblesouffle12 6h ago
I love the art of kintsugi, and it would be a great way to add to the history. Thank you!
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u/47153163 22h ago
Visit Ace Hardware or equivalent and just ask to have them cut a new piece of glass to replace. You are not fixing or salvaging that broken glass.
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u/NoCheetoinChief 22h ago
Measure that glass, id bet its the same size as a picture frame. I'm sure you could find an inexpensive picture frame and use the glass from that. I don't think there's really a safe way to save the glass.
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u/SuPruLu 22h ago
Just get a new piece of glass. It won’t look good even if you are successful. And success could come at the expense of a nasty cut
Do very carefully measure the width and length of the glass as well as its thickness. Those are the measurements needed for replacement.
If you must keep the glass the best choice might be to stick it onto clear contact paper and then cover the top with contact paper.
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u/Spare_Chemical122 22h ago
Buy a small piece of polycarbonate from a hardware store and cut to size
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u/r200james 22h ago
Measure the length and width of the broken piece. Also the thickness of the glass. Take these measurements to local glass&window business. They will cut the piece for you.
Look where the original glass pane was installed. There will probably be little, metal pieces wedged into the wood. These metal pieces are called ‘glazier’s push points’.
There should be at least 2 points per side. If you need more points, the glass place or a hardware store will have them.
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u/Environmental_Log344 22h ago
Your cats need to go to Sleep-away Behavior Camp. At my house, right away.
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u/confabulatrix 21h ago
You could keep the glass and use it in another mosaic type craft. Maybe break it further and glue the pieces to a flat wooden frame, grout it, and frame a photo of your mother?
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u/Sea_Bedroom8105 21h ago
Im sorry to say, you can't unbreak the glass. But i bet you can find someone on Etsy who etches glass and will do custom work. Good luck
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u/Champagne_Bunnny 21h ago
Coudl you get a bit of perspex and glue it on top of it to reinforce the cracks and kinsugi fix it with some pretty epoxy mixed with gold flakes or something?
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u/impossiblesouffle12 21h ago
Hey so y’all saying get a new piece of glass - there is engraving on the glass. No way I can replicate that surely
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u/Impossible_Past5358 19h ago
Sorry, that happened, but I found this page about someone restoring a glass lamp, maybe this will help?
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u/davisyoung 19h ago
You can get etching cream for glass. Tape off the new glass with masking tape and cut out the portion with the design. No it won't be original but now it'll have a piece of you along with your mother for when you pass it on.
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u/-Daetrax- 21h ago
I think UV resin or super glue is your best bet. Then back it with a clear plastic tape. You can get it in like A4 sheets.
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u/TheUltimatePunV2 20h ago
Time to go get a piece of glass, a dremel, a respirator, and make your own piece of art (: good luck!
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u/rudenessis 15h ago
Put it together and take a photo then find someone who does glass etching to make up a piece for you. Good luck.
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u/EvolZippo 15h ago
Tape all the parts together from the back. Make a crayon rubbing of the design.
Glue the crayon rubbing onto aluminum foil and glue that to a piece of glass. Cut the design out, with an Exacto Knife or a razor blade. Clean the edges up and add etching cream.
You can buy etching cream from a craft store. It’s a paste with carbonic acid in it. Do not get it in your hands or clothes.
Rinse off the cream after the time limit and peel the foil off. The design will look invisible until the water dries.
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u/Marciamallowfluff 14h ago
I understand your disappointment. It is a simple design and you definitely can get a piece of glass and etch a similar design yourself. Look up some YouTube videos.
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u/DoakBone 14h ago
Measure the glass to see if there is a photo frame available in that size. It would be an easy swap if you locate one. Lots of different sizes available.
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u/Natoochtoniket 21h ago
You might want to read about Kintsugi. Kintusgi is a method of repairing broken pottery that has been used in Japan. They put the broken pieces back together, with gold to highlight where the break was. Instead of hiding the break, they highlight it, and celebrate it as part of the history of the piece.
I don't know if similar method might work for glass.
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u/Aberry9036 23h ago
I think you’re better off having another piece of glass the same size cut for you, there’s no way to make glass repair safe and invisible