Source for glass plates?

[largeformat65]

I am looking for a wholesale source for picture frame replacement glass that I use for my dry plates. I am seeking 8x10 and 5x7 sizes.

Thanks in advance for any tips.

LF

 

[Ian Grant]

It would help to say where you are located, transport costs will be high.

Most towns have glass merchants who can supply picture (float) glass but be aware this is now 2mm in most locations, for Health and Safety reasons 1.5mm is no longer in general use. My frame maker gets much of his glass direct from the suppliers ready cut.

You need to check what thickness your plate holders will accept, if you want thinner than 2mm then it's likely you'll have to go to a more specialist scientific/optical glass supplier.

Ian

 

[largeformat65]

Yes, that is true about the local glass suppliers. I've visited all of them and I think their prices are too high still and if you ask them to cut anything it goes up even more. All of the plateholders I use accept 2mm plates so that isn't an issue for me. I know there has to be a wholesaie place that supplies picture framing places out there that has glass much cheaper. I mostly use standards sizes (8x10, 5x7) and since this aligns to standard picture frame glass this should make it easy I would think. The cheapest glass I can find to date is at my local hardware store at $1.99 per 8x10 sheet and my gut tells me that a framing wholesaler would sell it in bulk a lot cheaper. At least I hope so! Anyone? I am located in the USA.

Thanks,

LF

 

[Ian Grant]

My framing wholesaler here in the UK has packs of 2mm 10x8 float glass for under half what you're paying and that's including VAT (sales tax) at 20%. It should be slightly cheaper still in the US.

Ian

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Google "float glass wholesale"

 

[Photo Engineer]

I get custom cut plates for far less than that here from the local glass shops. I can also suggest that you contact the Photographers Formulary for custom cuts.

PE

 

[largeformat65]

Thanks everyone for your tips. I did find some glass at a local dollar store where they sell all picture frames for 1$. This just cut my cost in half from $1.99 to $1. The glass from this source is a lot thinner than the 2mm glass from Home Depot and the local glass stores as well. I haven't review it closely yet, but it appears to be a lot closer to the same thickness of plates as the vintage plates back in the day.

LF