Instructions on How to Create Stained Glass
Create many different projects using basic stained glass techniques. Colorful windows, lampshades, jewelry boxes, sun-catchers, or pendants are just a few. The technique taught to beginners in most stained glass studios is copper foil stained glass. This technique utilizes strips of copper foil with an adhesive backing wrapped around the edges of each piece of glass that makes up the pattern. Then solder is melted onto the copper foil, adhering by the application of a thin layer of flux, and holds the pieces of glass together.
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Things You'll Need
- Stained glass pattern (3 copies)
- Scissors or glass pattern shears
- Tape
- Clean rags or paper towels
- Glass cleaner
- Gloves (optional)
- Glass marking pen
- Safety glasses
- Stained glass
- Glass cutter
- Glass cutter oil
- Glass pliers
- Glass grinder
- Copper foil
- Burnisher
- Utility knife
- Flux
- Flux brush
- Solder
- Soldering iron with temperature control (rheostat)
- Stained glass polishing compound (carnauba wax)
Instructions
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1
Cut one of the stained glass patterns into pieces with the scissors or glass-pattern shears. The glass-pattern shears remove a thin strip of paper from the pattern. This takes into account the space required for the copper foil and solder in the final product.
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2
Fasten a copy of the pattern to the work surface with tape, and set the other copy aside to use as a reference for piece placement and color.
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3
Clean each piece of glass you are using in the project. Handle the glass with care or use gloves to avoid cutting yourself on the sharp edges.
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4
Lay the pattern pieces out on the stained glass by color. Look at the pattern on the glass and turn the pieces to figure out the direction you want any textures or streaks to appear in the final product.
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5
Pour a little of the glass cutter oil into the oil reservoir on the glass cutter or a small container into which you can dip the cutting wheel for lubrication.
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6
Trace around a pattern piece on the glass with the glass-marking pen. For example, draw a few smaller pieces along one edge, cut that strip off, and cut each piece out individually, or cut one large piece off a corner.
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Put on your safety glasses, and cut the glass using the glass cutter. Dip the wheel in cutting oil, if needed, before scoring the glass.
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8
Score one line at a time, from one edge of the piece of glass to another. Then break the glass along this score and make another score in the same manner, continuing this process until the piece is cut free on all sides.
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9
Break the pieces of glass apart at each score line using the glass pliers. Running pliers are useful for long, fairly straight lines, while grozing or breaking pliers are used to break apart smaller pieces.
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10
Grind along the edge of each piece of glass to smooth the edges, or shape it a bit more to fit the pattern. Clean and dry each piece after grinding, and lay it out on the pattern.
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11
Line up the copper foil along the edge of the glass so it wraps evenly on either side. Overlap the ends about 1/4 inch.
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12
Fold the edges over onto the glass, and rub the burnisher along the edge and both sides to smooth the foil and stick it firmly onto the glass. Be careful when folding the foil over edges on a curved piece of glass. Fold it over slowly and evenly to avoid splitting the foil, especially on deep inside curves. If the foil does split, cover it with a small piece of foil, about 1/4 inch, that folds over the edge to the other side. The smooth it down with the burnisher and trim it along the edge to match the piece already in place.
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13
Turn on the soldering iron and allow it to heat up before applying solder to the copper foil.
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Brush a thin layer of flux along the lines of copper foil you want to solder. Re-apply the flux if it is left too long before covering it with solder.
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15
Hold the end of the solder against the tip of the soldering iron so it starts melting, then drip a bit of solder carefully on each seam to hold the piece together.
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16
Melt a layer of solder along all the seams, then melt enough solder on top of that so it beads up to form a slightly rounded seam of solder. Repeat this process on the other side so both sides have smooth, rounded solder lines covering the copper foil.
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17
Clean the entire piece thoroughly to remove the flux, which can etch the glass if left too long.
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18
Polish both sides with the stained glass finishing compound. This protects and polishes the glass and solder.
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Tips & Warnings
Handle the glass and lead with care to avoid injury. Always turn off and unplug the soldering iron when it is not in use. Do not eat or drink while handling solder because it usually contains lead, and solder in a well-ventilated area.
References
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