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how to make an authentic bottle neck slide.

Here is a little step by step instruction to making your very own bottle neck slide, for that true blues sound the way they used to make 'em. There will be a little trial and error on your part, some break, some come out perfect, but once you get it down and start using a slide you made yourself, your efforts will be worth it.


STEP 1:

You need to pick out a wine bottle that fits your finger (ring or pinky) and has the right shape for a slide. It seems that mostly red wine bottles have the nice straight sides that I'm looking for, but it's up to you. Take off any foil that may be around the neck.
STEP 2:

Tape around the bottle neck at the appropriate location to determine the length of your slide.
 

STEP 3:

Get a glass cutter at the local hardware store. Score the neck all the way around, using the tape as a guide. This should weaken the glass and determine where the bottle will 'snap' off.
  STEP 4:

Tap the bottle with the ball end of the cutter on the line that you just scored. I usually spend 3 or 4 minutes doing this while spinning the bottle. This is once again, supposed to weaken the glass to allow it to break off at this point on the neck.
STEP 5:

You will need a pot of boiling water and some ice water, both containers should be deep enough to allow the neck of the wine bottle to be submerged up to the line that you scored into the glass.


STEP 6:

Submerge the neck of the wine bottle, alternating between the boiling water and the ice water. Keep it in each one for a minute or two. I usually repeat this at least 3-4 times to stress and weaken the glass.
STEP 7:

Place wine bottle on a firm surface, such as a 2x4, so that the scored line is resting on the edge. I use a dead blow hammer to tap around the bottle while spinning it. First with easy tapping and then becoming more forceful. Sometimes I have to use a regular hammer to get a firmer tap. Tap it until the bottle neck breaks off. (Be careful of glass shards when the bottle breaks.)
  STEP 8:

The bottle will break at the score line if done correctly, but you may need to practice on a few to get it right. You can gently tap off any small, jagged edges with the ball end of the glass cutter or a screwdriver.
For finishing the slide, I use a coarse grit sand paper at first to take off any sharp edges and then I use the garage floor or the sidewalk to give it a rustic look. You can experiment with this to suit your own taste.

Good luck, be patient and you'll get a few nice slides.