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Stained Glass/Questions Answered by Expert Sue Spire
| Subject | Date Asked |
| soldering | 1/25/2012 |
| Q: I have been working with stained glass for about a year. I'm pretty good at cutting and foiling the ... A: I have a web site with stained glass tutorials. You can read the soldering copper foil tutorial <a ... | |
| Bracing large window | 7/8/2011 |
| Q: I am making 2 large leaded (came) windows which will sit in an opening in front of a temperered ... A: You have plenty of reinforcement, especially for an inside window in front of a tempered glass ... | |
| stained glass panel | 3/19/2011 |
| Q: Can I successfully make a stained glass panel that is 29" by 67" using the copper foil method? I am ... A: Yes, you can make a copper foil panel any size you want. You will need to reinforce it with copper ... | |
| reinforcement | 2/10/2011 |
| Q: I am building a panel 47" wide be 55" long and would like it to be free hanging within a window ... A: Yes, copper restrip will be just fine. Make sure you use it for every hinge joint, both vertical and ... | |
| fixing old solder | 1/18/2011 |
| Q: I left a stained glass piece alone too long (a couple years) I needed to finish soldering it, but ... A: You didn't say if the panel is foiled or lead came, but I'll assume it's foil. Use very fine steel ... | |
| Large panel | 1/10/2011 |
| Q: "I have a window that I would like to put stained glass in. But the window is broken into 15 panes. ... A: I would make it all one window, using wider came to divide the panels. That way you won't have to ... | |
| stainglass sign | 8/28/2010 |
| Q: I made a house # sign using a copper foil Its been outside for the last 4 yrs. It looks like the ... A: Yes it can be done, but I need more detailed information before I can tell you how to do it. Why ... | |
| copper foiled sidelight | 8/23/2010 |
| Q: I am building copper foiled sidelights approx 7.5 x 36 inches in size. The center is a bevel cluster ... A: I've attached your picture and highlighted 4 places that should be reinforced (2 in yellow, 2 in ... | |
| copper foiled sidelight | 8/19/2010 |
| Q: I am building copper foiled sidelights approx 7.5 x 36 inches in size. The center is a bevel cluster ... A: Use copper restrip to reinforce any hinge joints...they are the lines that run from one side of the ... | |
| polishing stained glass | 8/18/2010 |
| Q: Is there any household products that you can use to polish stained glass instead of buying expense ... A: Yes, you can buy wax at an auto parts store that works just as well as finishing compound. I use ... | |
| forms | 8/3/2010 |
| Q: I need to fabricate a shell-shaped bowl out of glass as a baptismal font but am having difficulty ... A: I've done some searching and found nothing that would be suitable. I was thinking a form for fusing ... | |
| soldering | 8/2/2010 |
| Q: I'm doing my firsr foiled piece. My solder has holes in it and when I lift my iron, solder drips all ... A: My first thought is that you are either not using flux or are using the wrong flux. Make sure you're ... | |
| breaking glass into tiny pieces | 7/10/2010 |
| Q: How can I break stained glass into tiny pieces for mosaics, crafts,etc.,and keep the pieces together ... A: If you plan on hitting a large piece of glass, causing it to break into pieces, you could put a ... | |
| Lead Came length/shape | 5/20/2010 |
| Q: I am about to do my first lead came project, having been doing copper foil for about 6 months. I ... A: There is a tutorial on my web site that shows you, step by step, how to lead up a window. It is much ... | |
| removing decorative foil | 5/18/2010 |
| Q: My friends moved into a house that has a stained glass window built into a wall unit in their ... A: If it is an overlay, you should be able to slide a blade under and get it loose. Use something like ... | |
| Soldering and Copper Tape on Stained Glass | 5/7/2010 |
| Q: I first clean the stained glass piece with windex all the way around. I then adhere the copper tape, ... A: First of all, try wiping the edges with alcohol instead of Windex. Next, you didn't mention ... | |
| stained glass problem | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: I recently had a dear family pet cremated and the crematorium placed his ashes in a stained glass ... A: There's no easy way to do it, but the easiest way to get the top off would be to take the box to ... | |
| broken gift | 2/7/2010 |
| Q: i got a stained glass cross from my mom, it took her a long time to make and is very sentimental. it ... A: Accidents happen...don't beat yourself up over it. Yes, it can be repaired. Ask your mom if she can ... | |
| soldering | 2/2/2010 |
| Q: I am a rank beginner and am having trouble with solder adhering to my copper foil. It has been a ... A: If the foil is not sticking, there's no way to fix it other than to remove the foil, clean the edges ... | |
| soldering irons | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: I started stained glass about a year ago. I have already been through 2 soldering irons, both ... A: I highly recommend the Weller W100PG soldering iron. The temperature is controlled by the tip, not a ... | |
| Patina | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: I just finished the window in a clock with gold foil. What do I use to patina the solder beads to ... A: I'm sorry to disappoint you, but there is no gold patina. The closest you'll come is copper. You can ... | |
| Slag Glass Shade Soldering Repair | 1/13/2010 |
| Q: I have a lead or spelter lamp shade that is broken. It needs brass sheet metal fasteners that are ... A: You will need a 100 watt or 150 watt soldering iron and Nokorode flux. A 150 watt iron will do the ... | |
| Soldering Problems | 12/20/2009 |
| Q: I use a Weller soldering iron (The one with the baby blue handel). I cannot figure out what is ... A: Sorry for the delay in answering your last questions. To tell you exactly what sal ammoniac is I'm ... | |
| Soldering Problems | 12/15/2009 |
| Q: I use a Weller soldering iron (The one with the baby blue handel). I cannot figure out what is ... A: Stop using the sal ammoniac block. It isn't necessary with a pre tinned tip and often causes ... | |
| hobby came | 12/12/2009 |
| Q: I have a single piece of glass that I want to put hobby came around. It will be used as a tree ... A: You will solder over the copper foil, forming a raised bead of solder, then finish the edges with ... | |
| hobby came | 12/11/2009 |
| Q: I have a single piece of glass that I want to put hobby came around. It will be used as a tree ... A: You need to cut 4 pieces of lead and miter each end of the 4 pieces. To measure the lead so it fits ... | |
| Help- No Stained glass experience | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: I acquired 3 large panels of stained glass window, that are in decent, but fragile shape. They are ... A: The job is not something a novice can do. Look in your phone book under glass > stained glass and ... | |
| hanger for stained glass ornament | 10/30/2009 |
| Q: I need to replace the hooks on the side of an older window ornament. what type of metal can I use? ... A: You need to use copper or brass for it to form a solid solder joint. There's a tutorial on this page ... | |
| assembly of very large window | 10/20/2009 |
| Q: I have been asked to do a 52" x 40" window. I have never done a window quite that large before, the ... A: Yes, you can construct your window using copper foil. To insure strength, use copper restrip ... | |
| Appraisal of stained glass for resale | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: I have a stained glass window that is approx. 48" x 36". It was in a business that I purchased. We ... A: I'd say $1500 to $2000 would be a fair price to ask for the window. However, it could go for more or ... | |
| mixing came types | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: I have been doing copper foil projects and have usually framed them is zinc came. But, this piece ... A: This is part of an article I wrote for Ezine Articles. It explains the technique for using copper ... | |
| mixing came types | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: I have been doing copper foil projects and have usually framed them is zinc came. But, this piece ... A: Yes, it would be perfectly okay to mix lead and zinc. However, why don't you use all lead? It will ... | |
| Stained glass door | 8/28/2009 |
| Q: The lead that connects the panels of the exterior of my front door has some dark rust-colored ... A: The areas you are referring to are solder joints. You can use very fine steel wool, bronze wool ... | |
| Stained glass door | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: The lead that connects the panels of the exterior of my front door has some dark rust-colored ... A: I'm wondering if the material connecting the panels is actually lead. I have never seen lead rust. ... | |
| Question on Repair | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: I am seeking someone who could do onsite repair some small replacement of broken panes in our ... A: I'm so sorry that I can't help you, but I don't know any stained glass businesses in your area. You ... | |
| Copper Foil... | 7/30/2009 |
| Q: I just completed a 3'x 3' piece using copper foil, but it is not firm in all places..some pieces are ... A: Ideally, you would have used copper restrip during construction, but since you didn't, you can embed ... | |
| Repairing Tiffany Lampshade | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: My mother has a tiffany stained glass hanging lamp. It is in desperate need of repair and is ... A: It's extremely difficult to give you advice without seeing the lampshade. I don't know any stained ... | |
| Different size lead came | 7/1/2009 |
| Q: How do you deal with the different heights of the came? The 1/4" lead is slightly higher than my ... A: The different heights have never bothered me. To me, they give the panel some character. It's no ... | |
| solder irons | 6/7/2009 |
| Q: I've been trying to do some soldering making pendants with stain glass. I started practicing with ... A: You've got me stumped! The only other thing I can think of is that your flux is contaminated. If ... | |
| solder irons | 6/7/2009 |
| Q: I've been trying to do some soldering making pendants with stain glass. I started practicing with ... A: Having you iron turned up too high would not cause the problem. I never use a temperature controller ... | |
| Copper braid for edge finishing | 5/30/2009 |
| Q: I've read your piece on using copper wire to strengthen the edges. Very well written - thanks. I ... A: The copper braid will be fine as long as it's narrow enough. You don't want it sticking out beyond ... | |
| Brass Patina | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: Is that still available? If so, do you have a source? If not, do you know a way to achieve a brass ... A: I just did a Google search for Classique Antique Brass Patina, and found several places that ... | |
| Flux Remover | 5/20/2009 |
| Q: I'm trying to find something cheaper than the products specifically made for that purpose. In a ... A: I have never used flux remover or window cleaner on my work. If I'm working on a project and can't ... | |
| Patina on Lead Came | 5/7/2009 |
| Q: I like to use copper patina over my solder when doing a foiled glass piece. But if I frame the piece ... A: Solder is part tin and part lead. When you put copper patina for solder on the solder seams of a ... | |
| separating glass panels after completing a glass box | 4/29/2009 |
| Q: I made a glass box like candle holder but unfortunately was in a hurry and after soldering and ... A: It's a pretty easy fix. Get an empty aluminum soft drink or beer can. Cut it into some strips, ... | |
| Lead Cames | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: The price of lead came in England has rocketed over the last year, increasing by some 300%, and now ... A: I'm sorry this answer has taken so long, but I have been trying to get some information together for ... | |
| Shining Brass & Copper U-Came | 3/6/2009 |
| Q: but they're still there. I'm talking about the scratches that normally come on the came along with ... A: I'm no expert at working with copper and brass came, but I'm thinking bronze wool might do the job. ... | |
| Suncatcher Border | 1/23/2009 |
| Q: but have yet to make a suncatcher. I'm going to make a goldfish in an oval with part of the top fin ... A: I love the idea of having a fin sticking out. I do a lot of my designs that way. Something ... | |
| Removal lead solder lumps on solder joints | 1/22/2009 |
| Q: I am cleaning a recently purchased stained glass window. It appears to have had several repairs to ... A: It seems that the "lumps" of solder on the joints where they've been repaired are because the joints ... | |
| lead leaching from leaded glass panels | 11/25/2008 |
| Q: I have a hutch where china is stored. The upper doors have leaded glass panels. There is a white ... A: The white powder is oxidation. This happens when leaded glass is exposed to pollutants, or ... | |
| Attaching Copper Side Walls | 11/24/2008 |
| Q: I saw this bird feeder I would like to make and I need to know how to go about making and attaching ... A: Unfortunately the picture no longer shows, so I'm unable to see the top. If it is a vase cap, no ... | |
| Attaching Copper Side Walls | 11/24/2008 |
| Q: I saw this bird feeder I would like to make and I need to know how to go about making and attaching ... A: With hobby came, there would be no way to attach the copper sheet to it. You could not run a bead of ... | |
| Attaching Copper Side Walls | 11/24/2008 |
| Q: I saw this bird feeder I would like to make and I need to know how to go about making and attaching ... A: Wow...what a beautiful bird feeder, and what a wonderful Christmas present. The sides should be ... | |
| copper foil glue melting when soldering? | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: While creating beveled glass snowflakes, I am encountering a couple of problems during the soldering ... A: I'm thinking that you didn't burnish the foil well enough. If the foil isn't pressed down firmly, ... | |
| Copper Wire Reinforcement | 11/15/2008 |
| Q: how do u reinforcea suncatcher w/ copper wire A: I am assuming you want to run a wire around the outside edge of the suncatcher. If you actually want ... | |
| Stained Glass Odor | 11/5/2008 |
| Q: I just purchased a stained glass lamp. The two globes have a noxious odor. . .oil, kerosene, ... A: Wash the shade in warm water with Dawn liquid dish detergent. Gently scrub along all of the solder ... | |
Stained Glass
Answers by Expert:
Sue Spire
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