MTFCA Forum

I took my 1911 windshield frames and new brass channel to a glass shop to replace the cracked original plate glass. Yesterday he called to say 1/4 inch safety glass will not fit in the channel/frame because the glass he removed was 3/16. What do you guys do for new windshield glass? Thanks, Art

The folks that fixed my later model T glass used a black adhesive to hold the glass in the frames and did a neat job it,no mess.
Not correct by any means but functional.

Art,

I know it is not original by no means, but you can buy Lexan plastic at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc that will fit the proper dimensions. It is expensive compared to Plexiglas-Glass but more scratch resistant. Holds up very well and your nice brass channel is there.

Hope this Helps,

Hank

Thank you Hank. Art

Maybe take it to another auto glass shop? I think I would would want the brass channel. Research the glass shops to see what they can do. I had the original glass in my 24 Coupe replaced with laminated safety glass. Also in my 21 Touring with the same type glass and used the original glass channel on both cars. That shop is interested in doing a fast job and not making it authentic. Safety glass is out there for your car. It’s a matter of finding it.

Here in New Zealand, the local general glass merchant (does house windows, mirrors etc) cuts glass what I understand is a regular sort of glass for our Ts and other old car windscreens. The cut glass is sent it to specialist outfit near by that tempers it. The glass comes back with 'safety glass' markings and ready to install in the car. No problem getting various thicknesses done and meets all local safety codes for windscreens.

I wonder how it works in USA as it would be very difficult to buy already tempered safety glass and then cut it to size. That approach usually ends in small pieces. I assume you have a form of laminated glass used?

Just noticed MAC's sells windshield glass. Do not know if it is safety or not.

Hank

Here you go.
Sandersreproglass.com
Antique and classic car glass and everything else in between.
Hope this helps.

I had to buy a whole sheet of the correct thickness safety glass (way more than I needed) as no one had it in stock. It was a bit expensive but I wound up using it all after buying another car that still had plate glass and replacing a cracked piece in one of my other cars. Don't know where the glass guy got it from but it only took am few days to get it.

Have them get the correct thickness sheet and have them two sets. One for you a and one to sell

I emailed Sandersreproglass.com and they do not have 3/16 laminated glass. Thanks for all the answers. Art

I meant to add that this company makes laminated glass. Doubt if they would make 1 sheet but they may have stock ot know who might
https://jeberkowitz.com/contact-us/

Haven’t bought new repro channel, but all my ‘23-‘25 windshield original channels fit 6mm (1/4”) safety laminate just fine. Glass shop did last one, have also used Mac’s pieces on my ‘23. It was 1/4”.

Would think these later reproduction channels should be made to original 1/4”

I think you will find that side window safety glass is the right thickness. Technically not what is used for windshield glass, but I believe a good glass shop will recognize the difference and use it. You might have to sign a liability waiver!

Modern flat sheet safety glass in 1/4'' is very common for 18 wheelers, buses, etc. 3/16'' laminated sheet is available for coolers and food service equipment. Even though the glass is laminated safety it is not DOT approved and does not have the proper markings that the DMV's look for. A 1/4'' glass urethaned into a frame is safe and effective. If the frame is cleaned well and the proper product is used it will be superior to a channel installation.

I called a glass shop I deal with a lot for work. They said 1/4" glass is actually 7/32". The laminated windshield glass has a plastic layer .030", the side window glass has a plastic thickness of .015". As stated earlier, the .015" plastic is not allowed for use in a windshield. They did say their suppliers show 3/16" laminated glass, but they couldn't find a warehouse that stocked it, and they have never had a need to purchase it.

The one problem with early Model T's (and other vehicles) is the tendency for the windscreen to twist when the car flexes over an uneven surface or if it is raised or lowered by someone on one side causing the frame to twist. The early brass frames are not that strong.
On a recent tour an owner who had recently completed a restoration found his screen cracked when trailing his car to a tour.
The town he was in was large so he had them replace the glass. Only went a short distance and it had cracked again. In desperation he replaced the glass with plexiglass so he could complete the tour.

On both my Town Car and Kamper I have used tempered glass instead of laminated for that reason. The Town Car screen area is about the same area as both halves of a touring car. Tempered glass is extremely strong and can be hit hard without any effect, so much so often buses and other vehicles supply a tool with a sharp point to enable it to be broken. Up until about 20 years ago in Australia toughened glass was used for windscreens but now laminated glass is used as it stays clear if cracked where as toughened breaks into very small pieces.
ON my Town Car ( been on the car for 55 years without a problem) I had the glass cut and toughened and the brand mark placed where I could cover it with the registration label. The other windows they marked them close to the edge so the wooden frame covered them.
When I restored the Kamper the glass supplier wanted to put the brand marks on, I got around it by ordering the glass for a top for coffee tables. The glass pieces are longer than sedans but use the same frame mechanisms I could see someone trying to move the frame from one side and laminated glass cracking.
As Adrian Whitman noted Tempered glass cannot be cut once treated but one can choose the thickness suitable for the frame, have it cut to size and tempered. If hit by a stone it may shatter but it takes a lot to do so, laminated will just crack, in the end one has to choose one or the other.

I just had 3/16 glass cut for the 1937 Horch and the glass was in stock ,if Canada has it there must be a glass shop that can get it in the States .

As I did on my 1926 coupe in which the 1/4” safety glass was too thick to fit into the frame using the original cork or rubber gaskets, you can partially fill the windshield channel with enough of “The Right Stuff” sealant to hold the glass centered in the channel. Once it has cured and the glass secured in place, more of the “Right Stuff” can be applied to the channel on both sides of the glass. Any overflow can be easily removed from the glass with a razor blade. Once done, it looks neat and original. Good luck. Jim Patrick