Practice bulseyes & stars

[curt]

Hey guys , Can you give me some advice on making chips to practice on? Just received my Delta Kit and need practice.Lots of practice. Went to bone yard today and picked up a van windshield repaired 1 existing bullseye sucessfully created 1 star 2 1/2" , 1 small bullseye3/8 inch and then nothing but destruction !!I had to stop some cracks so I dont have to go back for another windshield.Would love to go for training but waiting for some closer to home.Any tips would be great.

[GLASSTIME]

Curt,

Hello and welcome to the Windshield Repair Forum.

I went and took a look at your profile to see where you were from and just to get a general idea about you, I'd suggest filling in a little more info on yourself
As this would better help all of us here better know you and could save yourself some nagging.

First, Congrats on purchasing such a GREAT system!

?:Are you using a tool to create your practice chips? If not I'd reccomend getting yourself a "Bullseye" maker or "Hook Tool" and a "Star Break" Tool
With the hook tool in hand it usually takes a quick jerk of the wrist downwards to the glass to create a "Bullseye" (this is a skill that will take practice in itself to master. At first you may only be making "Nicks" in the glass.
That's O.K. As you will eventually get the hang of it.

The "Star Break" tool is really unique and reminds me of a "Punch" but a spring loaded one.
You can set the amount of "Kick" by simply twisting the top cap to produce various size "Voids"
I have actually created small "Bullseyes" by using this tool and the least amount of "Punch" and at a slight angle when pressing to the glass.


Another option you could try is get yourself one of those "Slide Hammers"
Slide Hammers are typically used to create "small" "Bullseyes" inside of a drilled hole which is created at the end of a crack.
Simply pull off the "Red Tip Cap" Be sure the "Needle" is turned around to the point, insert it into the drilled hole pull up on the "Gold" end and give it a "Wack" down.


Take your time, be patient and always, always ask questions. Those "Good Guys" over at Delta will surely "Help you out with anything you may need! And of course us all here at the forum!

Take Care!

PM me if you need anything, Will be glad to HELP!

[Kgobin]

Welcome to the windshield repair forum! The forum keeps you up to date with all of the latest information in the industry and endless chat.

Thank you for your purchase! Time2Shine has given you some good information on creating star breaks and bull-eyes. We have the tools that he mentioned and below are pictures of them. I recommend getting a hook tool and star breaker. You can always get windshields from salvage yards or you can a local glass shop and see if they have any unwanted laminated glass (usually they give it to you for free).

HT253 Hook Tool- Straight

HT254 Hook Tool- Curved

77-14 Star Break Maker

[curt]

Thank You,I tried a couple tools and even my old bb gun. LOL fun but not what I was looking for.Just found my spring loaded center punch time to go get at it!! I really appreciate your advice and am sure to talk to you real soon. I updated my profile

[Nomad]

You might have to grind or file the tip down a little so it's not so sharp on the spring loaded punch. Some sell a small ball bearing with a hole drilled in it, rubber band through hole. Use this like a slingshot to impact glass and make a bullseye. I've never tried it but a small nut, maybe size six or eight might work the same way with a rubber band through it.

I've also used a carbide tipped probe and made small flies wings etc by slamming the tip against the WS. I just pointed it straight at the glass and poked it really hard and fast.

Hope this helps until you can get supplied with a hook tool.

[Roo]

I used to drill just a little into the glass(just enough so the screwdriver doesn't slide) and then get a phillips screwdriver and put it into the little drill hole and hit the handle with a hammer. Works okay for star breaks. Then I ordered the tools mentioned above and those work much better, especially the spring loaded punch because you can make different sizes of damage.

[bullseyemaster]

a nail punch stars and a marbel with a hole in it with a rubber band through it makes perfect bullseyes

[curt]

Thanx again for your input repaired several stars to some success. Still working on making bullseyes over 3/8 inch. Slide puch works on drilled holes to make small ones.I have another question for now. When stars are completed I can see crack lines , faint but present . Looks good but not perfect is this normal or will it go away with more practice? I know a repair is a repair and perfect may be seldom but that is my benchmark . If its worth doing do it right.

[t4k]

The thing to remember on a star break (and all rock chip damage) is that the glass is broken. The cracks in a star will never go completely away unless you replace the windshield. When you complete your repair the damage should be almost invisible.

[Kgobin]

Sometimes the legs from breaks can be visible from certain angles. This is why it is important to inspect the break from every possible angle before, during, and after the repair. You should be able to clearly see the resin filling the legs from a certain angle, and after the cure it should still be apparent that it is completely filled from that same angle. If that is the case you have done all you can, even if from some angles it still catches some light.