How to go about making a slide? (for a guitar that is)
 

Well I was wondering what tools people use to cut the tops off of beer bottles so they can use them for slides. I imagine it's fairly easy for you handy guys. My guess is like a saw or something of that nature? I was thinking it might have to be one a them power sanding saws that uses the sandpaper saw or what not to cut things. My old neighbor was a carpenter and I seen him use one a those. I imagine that would be the type of thing that could cut it off smoothly without making a big mess or hightened risk of personal injury since they don't use seraded edges like wood saws. If so I'd have to find a friend with one..I'm sure I could though. If not I suppose I could try and find a place where I could buy one..maybe one made of metal with foam inside it or something. I don't wanna just break the bottle though cause I couldn't guarantee myself I could smooth it out so it wouldn't have jagged areas that could cut..plus it would look sloppy. Well I guess thats it....this is kind of a stupid post too but...eh...what the hell right?

Asta!!

why don't you just buy one? They cost a max of $9 at music stores, they're already smoothed, and you don't have to risk cutting your finger off trying to dissect a beer bottle ;)

Or you could go to home depot and get a short piece of brass pipe. A good metal shop should be able to sell you a piece of nice stainless tubing for about $5.

Haha I almost laughed but then I woulda woken everyone up. Problem is I live in Knippa Tx. Ever heard of it? Exactly :) Though San Antonio is quite close by I doubt I could ever get my folks to actually drive around looking for a slide to buy but who knows they might sometimes they actually do shit for me. Know any music store chains you could recommend lookin at? The Home Depot idea sounds niffty. Getting around in San Antonio isn't easy for my folks though I wonder if theres one in a closer proximity. Too bad I don't live in the same town as my old neighbor..he'd ask me why first but I'm sure he'd have it ready for me in like 5 secs. Oh well I am gonna be in Austin on the 8th to see a Do Make Say Think concert with my Sis & Bro In Law and his friends..I'm sure he'd know where to take me..he plays guitar.

Asta!!

My personal favorite is just to use the whole bottle, that way you sound better aswell (if you drink enough of them) Glass does produce a better sound though then brass or metal would.

Can't you order one of the net?

I just got a new Musicians Friend catalog and they have the bottle top slides for 7.99 They also have the coricidin medicine bottle slide which is my favorite. I just ordered a spare. There's a lot of music shops on the net to order from and you can check out the different types of slides that are out there.

try using a old medicine bottle..the glass ones the longer the better and slip it over the chosen finger in my case the index..also..I do use whole beer bottles also..but thats cause im usually holding one ;)

To do it totally right, I'd think it would take a lot more effort that it's worth. Glass is actually pretty weak, the trick to cutting glass isn't to force your way through the glass, but to trick it into cracking where you want to. With glass panes you do that by scoring both sides of the cut with a diamond (something super sharp). With the surface damaged, you just have to snap the glass and you get a clean cut. With a bottle, you could only score the outside, but bottles are cheap, you can try a ton of times.

PSA: don't cut glass drunk

then to safely handle the slide, it would be nice to deburr and polish the edge you just made... that's where special equipment would be nice. I guess sandpaper, files, and whatever could do that.

I used to use a socket from a socket wrench. Kinda heavy but it worked. I would think any music store in Texas would have slides, regardless of the size of the town. If not, check an antique store/flea market for a glass medicine bottle. Worst case mail order. Musicians Friend and Elderly both have them.

Hello,

You know what also works alright: Shot glasses. Especially the 'double shot' , long and skinny variety.

Or you could buy it online at Guitar Center: http://www.guitarvision.com/mf/mf_frameset.htm

Just look for slide, there's tons and tons from steel to glass to ceramic.

Maybe eBay too.

Good Luck.

I like the idea of a double shot glass.

Personally, I just went out and bought one.

Not really the same feel as a glass slide, but you may have it laying around. Have a look at a spark plug socket the one I have is just the right size, and it has a rubber sleeve inside it that keeps it from falling off your finger.