Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen window 
today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I removed the 
fan.

Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a 6" 
hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).

Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly too 
small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend - double 
bugger.

Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any suggestions 
on how to open out the hole slightly?

Altogether now..... angle grinder!!

I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.


-- 
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On 2008-07-05 19:44:36 +0100, "The Medway Handyman" 
 said:

> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen window
> today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I removed the
> fan.
> 
> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a 6"
> hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
> 
> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly too
> small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend - double
> bugger.
> 
> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any suggestions
> on how to open out the hole slightly?
> 
> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
> 
> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.

Multimaster.

You know you want the real thing.....

The Medway Handyman wrote:
> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen window 
> today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I removed the 
> fan.
> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a 6" 
> hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).

New glass cuts easier than old glass.

> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly too 
> small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend - double 
> bugger.
> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any suggestions 
> on how to open out the hole slightly?
> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.

You're approaching this from the wrong end.

If the fan casing is plastic it is probablly easier to thin it down than 
change the glass.

If it all falls to pieces it can probably be stuck together once in 
place with silicone.

In the last resort conceal a small MP3 player with a recording of a fan 
whirring within the casing.



Owain

"The Medway Handyman"  wrote in message
news:oiPbk.21296$E41.5933@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen
window
> today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I removed the
> fan.
>
> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a
6"
> hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>
> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly too
> small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend -
double
> bugger.
>
> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any suggestions
> on how to open out the hole slightly?
>
> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
>
> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.
>
>
> --
> Dave - The Medway Handyman
> www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
>
>

Who's a silly handyman then ;-) better to have the hole slightly oversize
rather than undersize,were glass is concerned anyway.

"The Medway Handyman"  wrote in message 
news:oiPbk.21296$E41.5933@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly too 
> small for the fan body - bugger.

You measured the hole too small and then fitted the pane before trying the 
fan in.

You've been watching me DIY haven't you!

"The Medway Handyman"  wrote in message
news:oiPbk.21296$E41.5933@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen
window
> today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I removed the
> fan.
>
> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a
6"
> hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>
> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly too
> small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend -
double
> bugger.
>

You could try this....

Two pieces of thin plywood with the correct size hole cut out on
both,position the two pieces on either side of the glass hole and clamp them
slightly tight so as not to crack the glass.
Then use your dremel grinding tool to grind off the excess glass around the
hole level with the the plywood cutout hole.?

The Medway Handyman wrote:
> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen
> window today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I
> removed the fan.
>
> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass
> with a 6" hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>
> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very
> slightly too small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut
> for weekend - double bugger.
>
> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any
> suggestions on how to open out the hole slightly?
>
> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
>
> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.

Dave,

I won't state the obvious. ;-) but with care, and using a Dremel type of 
tool with the correct stone, it is possible to grind the edge of the glass 
to the diameter required - but the odds are that you will break the stuff.

Try cutting a slightly larger diameter hole in a piece of 3/4" ply wood than 
required by the fan, put that into a warm room and lay the glass flat on top 
of it so that it is well supported (and the hole is over the hole in the 
ply) and then carefully 'attack' the edge of the hole in the glass with the 
abrasive stone - (damn, this reads just like and American workshop car 
manual that I am having a look at).

There is no real secret to the job - other than confidence, having the glass 
at a warm room temperature, well supported and taking your time.  Oh, and an 
extra pair of hands would be useful to stop the glass slipping about when 
you are working on it.

All the best with this job.

Tanner-'op

The Medway Handyman wrote:
> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen window 
> today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I removed the 
> fan.
> 
> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a 6" 
> hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
> 
> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly too 
> small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend - double 
> bugger.
> 
> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any suggestions 
> on how to open out the hole slightly?
> 
> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
> 
> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.
> 
> 
Cheat. Use a bit of plywood and make do until Monday (or next 
opportunity for doing it). Or if you have some suitable plastic sheet 
material...

-- 
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious 
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
<www.thyromind.info> <www.thyroiduk.org> <www.altsupportthyroid.org>

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:44:36 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen
> window today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I
> removed the fan.
> 
> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a
> 6" hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
> 
> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly
> too small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend
> - double bugger.
> 
> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any
> suggestions on how to open out the hole slightly?
> 
> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
> 
> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.

Do you have a tile cutting machine? The sort with a powered water 
lubricated diamond wheel.

I you only need the hole to be bigger in a few places this will be the 
easiest way. I have used one of these for this purpose but not to enlarge 
a hole. 


-- 
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk 
Gas fitting FAQ  http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html
Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html

In message <g4omsa$avb$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk>, Ed Sirett 
 writes
>On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:44:36 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>
>> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen
>> window today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I
>> removed the fan.
>>
>> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a
>> 6" hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>>
>> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly
>> too small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend
>> - double bugger.
>>
>> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any
>> suggestions on how to open out the hole slightly?
>>
>> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
>>
>> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.
>
>Do you have a tile cutting machine? The sort with a powered water
>lubricated diamond wheel.
>
>I you only need the hole to be bigger in a few places

mainly on the circumference, I think, Ed

>this will be the
>easiest way. I have used one of these for this purpose but not to enlarge
>a hole.
>
Dave didn't say how much "slightly" is - a mm ?

Shaving it off the fan housing (assuming it's plastic) I'm sure would be 
the path of least resistance

-- 
geoff

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:44:36 GMT, "The Medway Handyman"
 wrote:

>Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen window 
>today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I removed the 
>fan.
>
>Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a 6" 
>hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>
>Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly too 
>small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend - double 
>bugger.
>
>Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any suggestions 
>on how to open out the hole slightly?
>
>Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
>
>I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.

It may sound daft but I have enlarged a hole like that with a diamond
nail file from my wifes handbag.

(She never noticed)

George wrote:
> "The Medway Handyman"  wrote in
> message news:oiPbk.21296$E41.5933@text.news.virginmedia.com...
>> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the
>> kitchen window today & typically the window pane (single glazed)
>> cracked as I removed the fan.
>>
>> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass
>> with a 6" hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>>
>> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very
>> slightly too small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut
>> for weekend - double bugger.
>>
>> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any
>> suggestions on how to open out the hole slightly?
>>
>> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
>>
>> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Dave - The Medway Handyman
>> www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
>>
>>
>
> Who's a silly handyman then ;-) better to have the hole slightly
> oversize rather than undersize,were glass is concerned anyway.

Oh thanks for that George.  I did ask the bloke for a 6" hole...



-- 
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

geoff wrote:
> In message <g4omsa$avb$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk>, Ed Sirett
>  writes
>> On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:44:36 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>>
>>> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the
>>> kitchen window today & typically the window pane (single glazed)
>>> cracked as I removed the fan.
>>>
>>> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass
>>> with a 6" hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>>>
>>> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very
>>> slightly too small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now
>>> shut for weekend - double bugger.
>>>
>>> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any
>>> suggestions on how to open out the hole slightly?
>>>
>>> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
>>>
>>> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.
>>
>> Do you have a tile cutting machine? The sort with a powered water
>> lubricated diamond wheel.
>>
>> I you only need the hole to be bigger in a few places
>
> mainly on the circumference, I think, Ed

Indeed, the circumferance.
>
>> this will be the
>> easiest way. I have used one of these for this purpose but not to
>> enlarge a hole.
>>
> Dave didn't say how much "slightly" is - a mm ?

About 2mm on the diameter, so 1mm on the radius.


> Shaving it off the fan housing (assuming it's plastic) I'm sure would
> be the path of least resistance

Alas not much of it to shave off.

<Sigh>


-- 
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On Jul 5, 10:25 pm, EricP  wrote:
> On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:44:36 GMT, "The Medway Handyman"
>  wrote:

> >Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen window
> >today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I removed the
> >fan.
>
> >Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a 6"
> >hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>
> >Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly too
> >small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend - double
> >bugger.
>
> >Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any suggestions
> >on how to open out the hole slightly?
>
> >Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
>
> >I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.
>
> It may sound daft but I have enlarged a hole like that with a diamond
> nail file from my wifes handbag.
>
> (She never noticed)


fwiw I spent a whole afternoon grinding glazed tiles with a stone in a
die grinder and nothing broke, so i'd be fairly tempted to try that


NT

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:44:36 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen window 
> today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I removed the 
> fan.
> 
> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass with a 6" 
> hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
> 
> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very slightly too 
> small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut for weekend - double 
> bugger.
> 
> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any suggestions 
> on how to open out the hole slightly?
> 
> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
> 
> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.

==================================
Tile file used gently along the edge of the glass - not across:

http://tinyurl.com/57lyhf

Alternatively, a length of 1" dowel wrapped with your choice of abrasive
paper.

Cic.
-- 
===================================
Using Ubuntu Linux
Windows shown the door
===================================

"EricP"  wrote in message 
news:alpv64tebquvgtfftcv3h0r38scli4gh9m@4ax.com...

...

.
>
> It may sound daft but I have enlarged a hole like that with a diamond
> nail file from my wifes handbag.

What were you doing in your wife's handbag?

I mean, would you like it if she went through your pockets?

Mary

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:25:51 +0100, EricP wrote:
> 
> It may sound daft but I have enlarged a hole like that with a diamond
> nail file from my wifes handbag.
> 

So all thats needed now is for you to send your wife round to meet the OP 
and it's sorted...

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:27:08 GMT, "The Medway Handyman"
 wrote:

>George wrote:
>> "The Medway Handyman"  wrote in
>> message news:oiPbk.21296$E41.5933@text.news.virginmedia.com...
>>> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the
>>> kitchen window today & typically the window pane (single glazed)
>>> cracked as I removed the fan.
>>>
>>> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass
>>> with a 6" hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>>>
>>> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very
>>> slightly too small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut
>>> for weekend - double bugger.
>>>
>>> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any
>>> suggestions on how to open out the hole slightly?
>>>
>>> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
>>>
>>> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Dave - The Medway Handyman
>>> www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Who's a silly handyman then ;-) better to have the hole slightly
>> oversize rather than undersize,were glass is concerned anyway.
>
>Oh thanks for that George.  I did ask the bloke for a 6" hole...

But if you interfere with it and the glass breaks, no come-back.
Alternatively, be patient, take the glass back on Monday with a 6"
ruler and wave both under the bloke's nose.

MM

MM wrote:
> On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:27:08 GMT, "The Medway Handyman"
>  wrote:
> 
>> George wrote:
>>> "The Medway Handyman"  wrote in
>>> message news:oiPbk.21296$E41.5933@text.news.virginmedia.com...
>>>> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the
>>>> kitchen window today & typically the window pane (single glazed)
>>>> cracked as I removed the fan.
>>>>
>>>> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass
>>>> with a 6" hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>>>>
>>>> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very
>>>> slightly too small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut
>>>> for weekend - double bugger.
>>>>
>>>> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any
>>>> suggestions on how to open out the hole slightly?
>>>>
>>>> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
>>>>
>>>> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Dave - The Medway Handyman
>>>> www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Who's a silly handyman then ;-) better to have the hole slightly
>>> oversize rather than undersize,were glass is concerned anyway.
>> Oh thanks for that George.  I did ask the bloke for a 6" hole...
> 
> But if you interfere with it and the glass breaks, no come-back.
> Alternatively, be patient, take the glass back on Monday with a 6"
> ruler and wave both under the bloke's nose.
> 
> MM

Wave the fan under his nose, which is what I would have done in the 
first place

Cicero wrote:
>
> ==================================
> Tile file used gently along the edge of the glass - not across:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/57lyhf
>

Have you done that before or are you just a genius?  That works an absolute 
treat, in under half an hour I had milled off enough to get the fan to slide 
in.

It was only then that I realised the PCD for the fixings screws is larger 
than 6"!

Finally - I read the instructions - it needs a 7" hole!

<FX> sound of beer can opening <FX>


-- 
Dave - The Medway Knobhead
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

Mary Fisher wrote:
> "EricP"  wrote in message
> news:alpv64tebquvgtfftcv3h0r38scli4gh9m@4ax.com...
>
> ...
>
> .
>>
>> It may sound daft but I have enlarged a hole like that with a diamond
>> nail file from my wifes handbag.
>
> What were you doing in your wife's handbag?
>
> I mean, would you like it if she went through your pockets?
>
> Mary

Why shouldn't he look in his wife's handbag - after all, his wife probably 
does go through his pockets every time she launders his trousers or take his 
suits to the cleaners - or metaphorically, everytime he has to pay for 
something (if it's the typical woman, quite often I bet)!

Tanner-'op

On Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:45:36 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

> Cicero wrote:
>>
>> ==================================
>> Tile file used gently along the edge of the glass - not across:
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/57lyhf
>>
> 
> Have you done that before or are you just a genius?  That works an absolute 
> treat, in under half an hour I had milled off enough to get the fan to slide 
> in.
> 
> It was only then that I realised the PCD for the fixings screws is larger 
> than 6"!
> 
> Finally - I read the instructions - it needs a 7" hole!
> 
> <FX> sound of beer can opening <FX>

==================================
I'd like to claim 'genius' but the truth is that I have tried it before
whilst experimenting with a home-made glass splashback. The method is OK
for fairly rough work but a good finish is best left to the professionals
even if it is expensive.

Cic.
-- 
===================================
Using Ubuntu Linux
Windows shown the door
===================================

On Sun, 6 Jul 2008 10:13:09 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
 wrote:

>
>"EricP"  wrote in message 
>news:alpv64tebquvgtfftcv3h0r38scli4gh9m@4ax.com...
>
>...
>
>.
>>
>> It may sound daft but I have enlarged a hole like that with a diamond
>> nail file from my wifes handbag.
>
>What were you doing in your wife's handbag?

Bad things!

>
>I mean, would you like it if she went through your pockets?
>
I live in hope, when I am wearing them!

>Mary
>

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:30:56 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

> geoff wrote:
>> In message <g4omsa$avb$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk>, Ed Sirett
>>  writes
>>> On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:44:36 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>>>
>>>> Busman's holiday.  Decided to replace the electric fan in the kitchen
>>>> window today & typically the window pane (single glazed) cracked as I
>>>> removed the fan.
>>>>
>>>> Popped down to local glass shoppe & got replacement pane of glass
>>>> with a 6" hole cut in it (how do they make that look so easy?).
>>>>
>>>> Replaced the pane of glass & then found that the hole is very
>>>> slightly too small for the fan body - bugger.  Glass shoppe now shut
>>>> for weekend - double bugger.
>>>>
>>>> Since the glass is in place & SWMBO wants the fan working, any
>>>> suggestions on how to open out the hole slightly?
>>>>
>>>> Altogether now..... angle grinder!!
>>>>
>>>> I have a Dremel, various abrasive devices etc.
>>>
>>> Do you have a tile cutting machine? The sort with a powered water
>>> lubricated diamond wheel.
>>>
>>> I you only need the hole to be bigger in a few places
>>
>> mainly on the circumference, I think, Ed
> 
> Indeed, the circumferance.
>>
>>> this will be the
>>> easiest way. I have used one of these for this purpose but not to
>>> enlarge a hole.
>>>
>> Dave didn't say how much "slightly" is - a mm ?
> 
> About 2mm on the diameter, so 1mm on the radius.
> 
> 
>> Shaving it off the fan housing (assuming it's plastic) I'm sure would
>> be the path of least resistance
> 
> Alas not much of it to shave off.
> 
> <Sigh>

It would work provided the existing hole is bigger than the entire blade/
guard assy. It would be better to make a tedious series of very small 
straight radial cuts of about 3-4mm over about half the circumference. 
The cutts will need to be no more than about 1-2 mm apart. 
The tiny fingers of glass that remains can be removed by very gentle 
tapping/touching with any hard object.  


-- 
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk 
Gas fitting FAQ  http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html
Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html