Stained Glass - separating glass panels after completing a glass box
Expert: Sue Spire - 4/29/2009
Question I made a glass box like candle holder but unfortunately was in a hurry and after soldering and beading I became aware that one panel is causing it to not be square. What is the easiest way to melt off the solder to allow me to reposition the panel? I can melt off the excess, but to separate the pieces seems impossible without removing the foil. Help, please! Jan
It's a pretty easy fix. Get an empty aluminum soft drink or beer can. Cut it into some strips, lengthwise.
Put on some protective gloves to do the following, as hot solder will be dropping and could easily burn your hands if they aren't protected.
Heat your soldering iron and remove as much solder as possible from the panel you want to reposition. To remove the solder, flux the solder then slowly run the soldering iron down the seam.
It is easiest if the glass is sitting on something that will hold it above the work bench. That way the solder will drop off rather than pooling at the bottom of the candle holder.
To remove the solder from the inside, hold the glass piece up side down and run the iron down the seam. (don't forget the gloves!)
Once you have the solder off, take a strip from the can and put it at the top of one of the seams while you are heating the remaining solder at the top of the seam. The strip should slide in between the two pieces of glass. As you slowly run the soldering iron down the seam, slide the strip, between the two pieces of glass, right behind your iron. The joint will separate. If you go too fast the solder will fill in behind the aluminum strip.
Do that on all three sides. You should be able to get the piece out without damaging the foil. Once the piece is out, remove the remaining solder. Now you are ready to reposition the glass that you just removed.
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