How to Solder Glass

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Welding glass helps to hold individual glass pieces together as a whole. It is most often used to make stained glass.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Short Glass
3-6 Brushes
Solder

Step 1

Lay the glass pieces in place.
Step 2

Dip a brush in flux and lightly coat the copper ribbon, beginning with the outer pieces.
Step 3

Plug in the welder. When the solder begins to melt, the welder is the right temperature.
Step 4

Carefully place the solder at the tip of the welder and bring it to the spots on the glass covered with flux, beginning with the outer edges.
Step 5

Use the drops of melted solder to attach the glass pieces together. When all the glass is held together by the solder drops, melt the solder along all the copper trimmings.
Step 6

Place glass or wood along the outside edge of the stained glass and solder the outside edges (TO WHAT, THE GLASS OR WOOD. IS THE GLASS OR WOOD INTENDED TO BE USED AS A FRAME? IF SO, HOW DO YOU PREPARE THE FRAME OF THE STAINED GLASS?
Step 7

Repeat on the other side of the glass. (DO YOU LET IT COOL FIRST?)

Tips & Warnings

Be sure to apply the flux before beginning to weld with the solder.
Use extreme caution when operating welding irons.

Comments

pervez said

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on 1/4/2008 one must clean the surface of the copper foil also (if its oxidised or old) with fine abrasive paper, which will help to make better and easier joints

Anonymous said

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on 1/19/2006 This type of glass/metal work is soldering, which is not the same as welding. Cleaning of copper foil is important to get good solder flow, and when finish soldering the panel.
Have a large enough surface to work on. A frame to support the edges and maintain the panel being square is very important to the overall fit or look of the piece.