Alright, let me tell you about this little project I tackled the other day – making some protective corners for glass. It sounds simple, and well, it kinda was, but you know how these things go.
So, I had this big piece of glass, a tabletop from an old patio set I was trying to store safely in the garage. Thing is, garages are chaotic places, stuff gets bumped, and the last thing I wanted was a chipped corner or, worse, shattered glass everywhere. You know the sharp edges on glass tabletops? Yeah, makes me nervous just thinking about it, especially when moving it around.
Finding a Solution
First thing, I looked around online to buy some protectors. Found plenty, mostly those clear plastic or rubbery ones. Looked okay, but honestly, they seemed a bit pricey for what they were, especially since I just needed them for storage, not for everyday use where looks matter more. Plus, I needed them like, now, not in 3-5 business days.
I thought, there’s gotta be a cheaper, quicker way. I’m usually up for trying a bit of DIY when it makes sense. Saves a few bucks and sometimes you end up with exactly what you need, even if it ain’t pretty.
Getting Hands-On
I rummaged around in the garage and the recycling bin. What did I find?
- A sturdy cardboard box. Good thick stuff, not flimsy.
- A roll of packing tape. The wide, strong kind.
- My trusty utility knife.
- A ruler and a pen, just to try and be a bit neat about it.
Okay, plan formed in my head. Basically, make little cardboard hats for the corners.
I started by measuring the thickness of the glass edge. Wasn’t super thick, maybe half an inch? Then I started cutting the cardboard. My first idea was just a simple L-shape to fold over. I cut out a piece, scored it down the middle so it would fold cleanly, and tried it on the corner.
It was okay, but kinda flimsy. Didn’t feel like it offered much cushioning, you know? Just basic scratch protection. I wanted something beefier.
So, second attempt. I decided to make a sort of multi-layered corner piece. I cut out larger squares of cardboard. Then I cut diagonals, essentially making triangles. I layered two or three triangles on top of each other for one side of the corner protector, then did the same for the other side, making like a thicker ‘V’ shape when you looked at it from the top. Does that make sense? It’s hard to describe!
I placed this thicker V-shape onto the glass corner. Then I took another strip of cardboard and wrapped it around the outside, holding the V in place. It was starting to look like a proper corner guard now. A bit chunky, but definitely more protective.
The final step was grabbing the packing tape. Lots of it. I wrapped tape all around the cardboard contraption, securing it tightly to itself and making sure it gripped the corner snugly. I made sure the tape went around all the edges of the cardboard too, kinda sealing it up.
The Result
I repeated this whole cutting, layering, and taping process four times. Took maybe half an hour? Maybe a bit longer ’cause I was figuring it out as I went.
End result? Well, they aren’t gonna win any design awards. They’re chunky brown cardboard things held together with packing tape. But you know what? They fit perfectly. They’re solid. They cover those sharp corners completely and give a good bit of padding.
I tested one by giving it a gentle whack – seemed like it would definitely prevent a chip from a casual bump. Stuck them on all four corners, and now I feel much better about sliding that glass top into its storage spot. Job done, saved a few quid, and used up some old cardboard. Can’t complain about that.