Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers blow, mould, press, cut, trim, grind and polish glass, shape molten glass according to patterns.
Skill level:
Semi-skilled
Check your pay
- The majority of Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers earn a salary between R5 268 and R15 440 per month in 2024.
- A monthly wage for entry-level Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers ranges from R5 268 to R8 071.
- After gaining 5 years of work experience, their income will be between R6 805 and R11 325 per month.
Salary Check
Duties and tasks
- Heating glass to pliable stage using gas flames or ovens, and rotating glass to heat it uniformly
- Blowing and bending glass tubing into specified shapes to form scientific apparatus such as flasks, retorts and pipettes
- Grinding and polishing glass objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing and smoothening and polishing rough edges, using belt sanders or polishing wheels
- Examining glass stock and finished products and marking or discarding items with defects such as spots, stains, scars, snags, chips, scratches or unacceptable shapes or finishes
- Reading work orders to determine dimensions, cutting locations and quantities to cut
- Observing gauges, computer printouts and video monitors to verify specified processing conditions and make adjustments as necessary
- Positioning patterns or drawings on glass, measuring dimensions, and marking cutting lines, using glass cutting tools and cutting glass along marked outlines or around pattern
- Setting up, operating and adjusting computerized or robotic glass cutting equipment
- Inspecting, weighing and measuring products to verify conformity with specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, callipers, magnifiers and rulers
- Regulating oven temperatures according to glass types to be processed
- Transferring patterns for individual stained glass parts from full size drawings to pattern paper, using stylus to trace drawings
- Spraying silver solution on glass to provide mirrored surface, using spray guns
- Laying out, cutting and grinding optical and other glass to specified dimensions and weight for moulding into lens blanks and for use as watch crystals