- Solder hooks to stained glass by carefully melting a blob of stained glass solder where the ring meets the sun catcher
- Hold the soldering iron over the solder to neaten it up
- Turn the piece over and, if needed, use the iron to melt any solder that may have dripped to the other side
What kind of solder do you use for stained glass?
There are 3 basic types of solder used in stained glass. 50/50: 50% Tin/50% Lead - This is most commonly used in box and lamp assembly. 60/40: 60% Tin/40% Lead - This is most commonly used in lead and copper foil assembly. 63/37: 63% Tin/40% Lead - This is most commonly used for decorative soldering.
How do you solder stained glass pieces together?
0:583:45How to Solder Stained Glass Panels - Part 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlso you want to be across the solder line so you don't want to be right on the edge of it you wantMoreAlso you want to be across the solder line so you don't want to be right on the edge of it you want to be across it and try to stay 90 degrees to your solder. Line.
Can you solder stained glass without flux?
Solder will not stick to glass alone, so each piece of glass must be wrapped in copper foil. 3. Solder needs a flux to flow smoothly and bond to other metals (i.e., copper foil or lead came).
Do you solder both sides of stained glass?
Stained glass soldering for copper foil Once you've soldered both sides and you're happy with it, you're ready for either Zinc Framing or, if you're not framing your piece, Soldering Edges.
What is the best surface to solder stained glass on?
Made from pressed fiberboard, homasote is heat resistant and ideal for cutting, soldering and assembly of stained glass.
What temperature should my soldering iron be for stained glass?
Those who are quicker have their stained glass soldering temperature set at 410C but if you solder more slowly you need to reduce the temperature to 360C. 360C is a good temperature for starters as it gives you more time.
Can I use Vaseline instead of flux?
Yes, Vaseline works just as well as commercial flux, and you can even buy a generic brand. Petroleum jelly is primarily made from waxes and mineral oils so that it won't corrode your components. Plus, it cleans away the gunk and eliminates metal oxides that could compromise your bond.
Can vinegar be used as flux?
Vinegar is acid. That is exactly what fluxes are. Use it for a flux if you want.
How do you solder stained glass for beginners?
To solder stained glass, start by wrapping copper foil around the edges of your stained glass. Then, use a roller to flatten the foil on the glass, and brush a coat of liquid flux on the foil so it bonds together later. Next, heat up a soldering iron, and assemble the glass pieces into your desired final design.
Do I need to wear a mask when soldering?
Wear safety glasses or goggles no matter what kind of soldering you do: a spatter of 370F molten metal or 300 F boiling flux in the eye will ruin your day, week, etc. Use a fume extractor or noxious organic fume mask to keep the vaporized flux out of your lungs.
How long can you leave flux on stained glass?
After soldering stained glass, the flux washes off easily, even if it's been left on for up to 14 days.
How do you finish stained glass edges?
1. Tinning the Front and Back EdgesPaint the liquid flux over the edge with the Q-tip. ... Tin the top face of your edge.To do this simply add a few blobs of solder to the foil and melt it along the top edge with the soldering iron.Turn your piece over and do the same to the back face.More items...•
How do you join stained glass together?
To solder stained glass, start by wrapping copper foil around the edges of your stained glass. Then, use a roller to flatten the foil on the glass, and brush a coat of liquid flux on the foil so it bonds together later. Next, heat up a soldering iron, and assemble the glass pieces into your desired final design.
How do you connect stained glass together?
10:5712:23How to Connect Stained Glass using Copper Foil - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then you want to use your flux and just lightly brush the copper foil. With it and that's goingMoreAnd then you want to use your flux and just lightly brush the copper foil. With it and that's going to allow the solder to stick to the copper foil better.
What is the best wire to use in stained glass?
14-18 gauge is the range for most stained glass projects. #14 gauge is good for hanging and #18 for more decorative stained glass work. There's always room for pushing the boundaries – if you want to do something very delicate like cat's whiskers you could go even thinner – say #22.
How long can flux stay on stained glass?
After soldering stained glass, the flux washes off easily, even if it's been left on for up to 14 days.
What was the first piece of stained glass to be cut?
When making leaded stained glass, the first pieces of stained glass lead came to cut are the edge vertical and horizontal ones .
How wide is a leaded stained glass?
The lead comes in 6′ lengths or on a spool. It can either be flat or rounded and comes in different widths, the most common being from 5/64″ to 1/2″ wide .
What is leading up in stained glass?
Leading up is the point in the stained glass making process where you start to see your panel beginning to take shape and looking like a real stained glass window. If you’re new to using lead came as a technique I would highly recommend you give it a try.
Where to build glass pieces on a board?
Build up the glass pieces diagonally from the left hand corner of your board if you’re right-handed.
Can you dismantle a leaded panel?
Don’t panic if your panel is getting bigger, this often happens. Be prepared to dismantle your leaded panel to check where things aren’t fitting. It’s easy to re-assemble once the leads are cut and shaped.
How to melt solder that has dripped?
Turn the piece over and, if needed, use the iron to melt any solder that may have dripped to the other side
How to make a flat edge on a ring?
If the ring diameter is big enough you can insert pliers into the ring at the point where the two ends meet. Squeeze hard to make a flat edge. When you join the ring to your panel the flat part on your ring is easier to solder and it hides the place where the ends meet. Thanks to Gene Salvino for this tip.
How to secure a tinned hook?
Flux the tinned hook and hold it where you want it attached. Make sure the open end of the hook is at the join (see photo, left below). The solder will close the ring and make it secure
Can you solder stained glass?
When you solder hooks to stained glass the hooks should always be soldered at a joint for strength. Never attach one on a beaded edge , as the weight of the glass will pull the foil off in time. Make sure you solder on a heat resistant surface.
How to tin a piece of metal?
Once you have your piece cut to the proper size and shape, you will want to flux and tin it. With such a tiny piece it can be a little tricky, but with some small pliers or tweezers, it shouldn’t be too hard. Get a good coat of flux on one side, and with a little solder on your iron, rub it against the piece until you have a nice shiny thin bit of solder coating it. Do the same thing for the other side, fluxing first, then tinning. Flip it around and do the same thing to both sides where the pliers were grabbing it before.
How to remove adhesive from copper tape?
Take off and throw away the paper backing from the adhesive side of the copper tape, then put it in a small container of Isopropyl alcohol or something similar which will break down the adhesive. Most non polar solvents would probably work fine here as long they don’t leave any residue. You could probably even use something like “Goo Gone” as long as you clean off any residue it may leave with water or something after.
How to repair a foil tape?
Once you have identified that some of the copper foil tape has been damaged to the point it will need repair, begin by melting all the solder in the area off, and remove it from the surrounding area too, at least .5 inches out, on both sides of the “wound”. To do this, hold the piece upside down , then when you touch the soldering iron to where you need it, you should see the solder flow off the piece and onto the iron. Wipe the soldering iron onto the wet sponge to get off the excess solder. Keep repeating this a few times until all the solder is gone from the whole area.
How to remove sticky adhesive from mail?
The adhesive doesn’t fully break down in the alcohol though because it is the gummy kind that is similar to the type used to stick new credit cards to the mail they come with. After the short alcohol bath you only have to gently rub the sticky part and it will begin to “booger up”, allowing you to easily remove it all in one or two little clumps.
Can you spot weld a strip?
You may not get this right on the first shot, so once the dot of solder is applied, then look again to make sure it’s lined up perfectly with both sides. If its not just right, then melt the small spot you made with the iron, and pull off the strip with your other hand to line it back up and spot weld again. Once you get it just how you want it, then you can spot weld the other side of the strip, securing the whole thing into place.
