Good afternoon gents,
We are suddenly having great difficulty with obtaining tempered glass shelves, particularly those corner cabinet diamond-shaped shelves. Normally we don't need tempered but sometimes the job is spec'd out for it, and thus our problem.
In the past, we give them a template, they make it, and the shelves almost universally fit with reasonable fit. There have always been the occasional tight fit.
Both of our local suppliers are telling us that the margin of error on tempered stuff is as high as 1/8" (1/16" on each edge), which on a corner/diamond shaped shelf makes for an utter trainwreck for proper fit.
That's exactly what is happening now. Stuff is coming in consistently 1/8" heavy too big, but they are playing hardball on replacing them. This is the first time that we have ever had this issue.
We provide them with a template machined from 1/4" MDF, cut by a CNC router. The templates are dead-nuts accurate.
If I may ask a couple questions of you guys, I greatly appreciate your input.
1) Do you typically order your glass shelves the same size as you would with a plywood/melamine adjustable shelf, meaning, about 1/8" smaller than the cabinet opening?
2) Do you have difficulty with your local glass suppliers when you order tempered? Meaning, do you find tempered glass having a higher margin of error on size?
3) If so, how do you deal with the potential size discrepancies?
Thanks all-
Matt