How to Make Stained Glass in Lead or With Copper Foil
Stained glass is both an art form and a hobby enjoyed by many Americans. There are two widely used methods for creating stained glass projects: Lead came and copper foil. Both methods can be used to create beautiful patterns for hanging in windows or outside in direct sunlight. The copper foil method is easier than the lead came and so is usually recommended as the best option for beginning stained glass art students. An overview of both methods may help you decide which one is right for you.
Things You'll Need
- Diamond glass cutter
- Soldering iron for stained glass
- Copper foil
- Flux
- Colored glass
- Pen
- Glass grinder
- Horse hair brush
- Lead solder wire
- Lead came
- Lead vise
- Lead nippers
- Pliers
- Horseshoe nails
- Fid
Instructions
-
Copper Foil Stained Glass Method
-
1
Select or create your own simple pattern made up of a dozen or less simple cuts. Draw the pattern on a piece of paper and label the color of glass you want each piece to be cut from. Copy the pattern than cut out one of the copies and lay each paper piece beneath the colored glass you want to cut it from. Draw an outline of the pieces on the glass.
-
2
Cut all pieces with a diamond cutter lightly so that you score the glass. Tap along the scored edges with the metal handle of the glass cutter until the piece breaks free from the glass pane. Label each piece and lay them out to ensure you have all pieces needed for your pattern. Grind the edges smooth with a glass grinder and clean them under water. Dry the pieces.
-
-
3
Wrap the edges of each glass piece in copper foil. Turn the glass on edge and press the edges, one edge at a time, against the adhesive side of the copper foil. Cut away excess.
-
4
Arrange all pieces into your pattern. Brush flux onto the copper foil with a small horsehair brush. Use a soldering iron to adhere the pieces together by melting a thin strip of lead or metal solder wire with the soldering iron on top of the copper foil so all the exposed foil edges on one side are covered in solder. Allow the solder to dry, then flip the pattern over and solder the copper edges on the other side. Solder the outside edges of the pattern as well so that solder covers all foil. Allow the finished pattern to dry completely and wash the pattern in warm, soapy water.
Lead Came Stained Glass Method
-
5
Create a simple pattern for your stained glass project. Transfer the pattern to colored glass. Cut the glass pieces out with a diamond cutter and grind the edges with a glass grinder. Wash and dry all pieces.
-
6
Select the size of lead came that is esthetically appropriate for the size of your pattern. Larger lead came looks bulky on small patterns. Stretch the came by placing one end of the came into a lead vise. Hold the other end with a pair of pliers and pull the came until it stretches 3 or 4-inches beyond its original length.
-
7
Remove the lead from the vise and clip 2-inches off each end with a pair of lead nippers. Cut the came into 6 to 10 strips measuring 2-inches long.
-
8
Insert a fid into one side of the lead channel and run it down the length of the lead strip, fashioning it into the individual shape needed for one piece of your pattern. Flip the string over and repeat on the other side. Turn the strip so it is facing channel-side up. Cut the end strip with a knife at the point where the piece outline is complete. Repeat this step for all pieces.
-
9
Starting with the bottom right corner piece of your pattern, lay the glass piece on top of a wood square. Slide it into the lead came you cut for the piece. Hold the piece in place to the wood with horseshoe nails. Place lead spacers next to the piece on all edges. Bring the next piece up and wrap it in lead came, next to the spacer. Repeat this process until the pattern is complete. Secure the pattern together by cutting a long piece of U-shaped lead channel to wrap around the pattern's outside edges. Gently tap it down against the lead came to ensure a snug fit.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
