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Stained Glass/Questions Answered by Expert Kent Lauer

Subject	Date Asked
cork wheel	12/17/2011
Q: I have a cork wheel, its about 34 in across, and 3 in thick,it is used, there are a couple of spots ... A: The Cork wheel you have is for the pre-polish step of beveling glass, not many people use them ...
Taurus II ring saw	9/19/2011
Q: I have had my Taurus II ring saw for about 5 years now. The drive belt finally broke. My ring saw ... A: I'm glad you were able to find the belts, and you've really done it already, the saw blade goes on ...
Taurus II ring saw	9/15/2011
Q: I have had my Taurus II ring saw for about 5 years now. The drive belt finally broke. My ring saw ... A: Five years is pretty good without breaking a belt, congrats on making it last. You can get a new ...
Old Framed Stained Glass Window	8/30/2011
Q: I am inquiring about a framed stain glass window. I am helping the elderly owner who bought it ... A: It looks very nice and in good condition, it certainly seems to have come out of an old church. I ...
sticky solder	1/5/2011
Q: I have been doing stained glass for a few years now, but switched flux brands and now have noticed ... A: I'll be glad to help. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I have been away for a while. It ...
value of windows	1/4/2011
Q: We just a home built in 1886. It has 3 stained glass windows in the upper level. How do we find ... A: The value depends on a number of things, size, aesthetics, complexity, condition, were they made by ...
repair	12/16/2010
Q: I am attempting to repair a stained glass piece made by my dad some thirty years ago. The repair ... A: I think it's so cool you have a stained glass panel your father made, and even better that you have ...
ring saw zephyr vs taurus 3	10/14/2010
Q: First, let me thank you for your time spent, truly appreciated Want to buy a glass saw gift (a ... A: I'll be happy to give you my opinion on the saws. First off, the taurus does not need the rollers ...
Stained Glass border with zinc came	5/27/2010
Q: New to stained glass - doing a panel but want to border with zinc, any tips as people say it hard to ... A: Zinc just takes a little getting used too, that's all. I'm sure you know you need to cut it with ...
safety glass	4/26/2010
Q: Is safety glass, either tempered or laminated, of the same thickness as non-safety glass? ANSWER: ... A: If the glass is laminated you can look along along the edge and see the different layers, with the ...
safety glass	4/20/2010
Q: Is safety glass, either tempered or laminated, of the same thickness as non-safety glass? A: Many different types and thicknesses of glass can be tempered, or laminated into safety glass, so I ...
laminating dichro onto bevels	3/15/2010
Q: I have seen work containing bevels colored with dichroic coating. The term "laminate" was used in ... A: I teach classes all over the country in laminating and creating dichroic bevels, pendants and ...
Band saw vs ring saw	11/20/2009
Q: I use to have a gryphon band saw, it was old and now broken. Now looking at a zephyr ring saw. Are ... A: It's been my experience that the ring saw is far superior to a band saw, and ever since the ring saw ...
kiln	8/4/2009
Q: what is the process of kiln wash of stained glass painting A: Greeting phoolwati, Kiln wash is used to prevent glass from sticking to the kiln shelf. It is ...
glass cutting/ sanding	7/29/2009
Q: When I tried to use my die grinder it rounds my edges but it turns them white. A: The only way to get rid of the white (or ground) edgle of the glass is to polish it, and that takes ...
'sickness' removal from glass items	7/12/2009
Q: I have several glass items that have been dug up from Victorian rubbish tips. Some of these have ... A: Greetings Laure, The "sickness" that you are writing about is I'm quite sure, mineral deposits ...
3/8" Beveled Glass Table Top	6/25/2009
Q: My heavy 72x48 3/8" thick beveled table top has been moved many, many times without damage but today ... A: I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. I was away teaching classes and have just ...
Beveled Glass top of Coffee Table	5/8/2009
Q: I chipped about 1 inch off the corner end edge and wondered if this can be cut/ground off and still ... A: If the chip is underneath the bevel, then it might be able to be smoothed out, without losing the ...
chipped glass	5/7/2009
Q: . I am making a sidelight for a customer, and just noticed a chip in the corner of a 4x4 bevel ... A: There are only two things to do, take the panel apart and replace the bevel, or cut the lead around ...
grinder/bits	4/30/2009
Q: I've recently returned to stained glass work and bought a new 3/4" grinder head for an old grinder I ... A: It sounds like you got a defective grinder head. I would contact the place you got the head from and ...
Original Stain glass panel in my home	4/4/2009
Q: I have a home that is approximate. 100 years old. It has 2 large windows that have a stained glass ... A: There is no way for me to tell the value of the stained glass without seeing it. If you can, send ...
beveled glass for repair	3/26/2009
Q: I need to have six pieces of 3/16 clear beveled for a repair of a leaded glass window project. I do ... A: I'd be happy to help. Email me at beveler@kentlauer.com, or call me at 818-997-8901. You can send ...
Grinders	3/10/2009
Q: I am brand new to stained glass as a hobbyist (week 3 at this point). I have purchased a good (and ... A: Check out the website for Gemini Saw Company, they make the best diamonds saws for the stained ...
Grinders	3/3/2009
Q: I am brand new to stained glass as a hobbyist (week 3 at this point). I have purchased a good (and ... A: I hope your having fun with your new hobby, I started doing glass as a hobby in 1975 and it took ...
beveling	2/3/2009
Q: Kent, I've been in stained glass for several years now, and am finding I'm very interested in custom ... A: I think the best thing to do would be to call me or email me directly. My phone is 818-997-8901, and ...
saw	12/31/2008
Q: I took your class in New Hampshire a few months ago at Centre De Verre. You brought that really nice ... A: Nice to hear from you. The saw is the Revolution XT made by Gemini saw Company. They have made the ...
Glass Grinding Sludge	12/4/2008
Q: Just started stained glass work at home. What is the best way to dispose of the sludge (water/glass ... A: I certainly know about this, as I deal with glass mud/waste on a regular basis. For a grinder take ...
drilling stained glass	11/10/2008
Q: We have the same last name. I am not having any luck even on plain glass drilling a hole. I do have ... A: We're probably related! I've been away teaching quite a bit, and I thought I had answered your ...
antique glass polisher	10/28/2008
Q: I think this is an antique glass polisher and grinder. It was my father-in-law's and I am not sure ... A: It's a combination belt sander and cast iron roughing wheel for grinding. There are people who would ...
polishing leaded glass	8/25/2008
Q: I have an antique leaded glass window that I would like to brighten up. The lead looks dull--any ... A: It kind of depends on how old the panel is. If it's less than 20 or 30 years, it could clean up ...
Polishing glass	8/23/2008
Q: I am doing stained glass using the copper foil method. Occasionally, when grinding the glass I will ... A: I've done exactly the same thing, and the answer is, cut another piece. To try and polish out the ...
bevels in a west facing window	7/6/2008
Q: I am starting a side light for an 9X65 window. I would like to use bevels, but this window gets ... A: You don't have to worry at all, the heat won't damage the bevels. You are lucky, having a west ...
third stage beveling	3/31/2008
Q: What is the best wheel for the third stage of beveling I,ve tryed glastars its seems to bump alot ... A: First tell me are you talking about staights and outside curves, or inside curves, or all 3. No ...
shape beveler	3/28/2008
Q: glasstar b8 grinder have you tried it? ANSWER: Greetings Edward, Yes, I have tried it. There is ... A: As far as I know, there was a company that made a similar machine, but I don't think they are still ...
shape beveler	3/28/2008
Q: glasstar b8 grinder have you tried it? A: Greetings Edward, Yes, I have tried it. There is a learning curve with the shape beveler, just as ...
custom beveled glass	3/21/2008
Q: I've been trying to find a "custom" glass company to bevel 12 pieces of 1/4" clear glass that is ... A: That company would be me, you can call me at 818-997-8901. I've been beveling for a long time. I ...
beveling equipment choice	1/25/2008
Q: Soooo glad I found out about your expertise! I hope to afford to take your dichroic glass beveling ... A: I'm so pleased that you want to take the class, I guarantee you will like it, you will finsih a ...
Taurus II saw replacement	1/8/2008
Q: I have to replace a saw blade and don't have instructions, Is there any where on line with ... A: Go to www.geminisaw.com, there are videos on the site. If that isn't enough give them a call and ask ...
zink	11/28/2007
Q: Is there a special way to cut zink for the edge of my panel. WE have always used lead, and are ... A: If the zinc is only for the outside edge of the panel, you can use a plain old hack saw. Just be ...
can I use sharpening stone?	11/23/2007
Q: I am new to stain glass, just got a few pieces and a glass cutter. Would really like a grinder but ... A: Greetings Penelope, Welcome to the world of stained glass. You probably can use the stone you ...
Patina on Zink	9/22/2007
Q: No one around this area to date seems to know why zink doesn't take patina well. I've heard try ... A: You are on the right track, try using a rougher steel wool, or even sandpaper. Zinc does not take ...
install stain glass panel	9/18/2007
Q: I have a leaded stained glass panel that I would like to attach to a double pained casement window. ... A: As long as it fits well it should be easy. If there is room for some wood molding, just cut and nail ...
glass repair replace	9/16/2007
Q: Subject: glass repair or replacement We are looking for 2 pieces of glass circa 1880. They look ... A: If you can send me pics of the glass I could probably tell you whether or not it's still available. ...
cleaning tempered glass	9/9/2007
Q: Several large pieces of tempered glass have been defaced using toilet bowl cleaner and battery acid. ... A: Sorry to say there isn't too much you can do. There are polishing systems to polish out small areas ...
grinder	8/28/2007
Q: i do not have a grinder for my stained glass projects, but i do have a dremel tool with the diamond ... A: A dremel would definitely not be a good idea for grinding the glass, especially if you need to ...
Polishing glass headlamps	7/31/2007
Q: I would like to remove spots and polish my Polishing glass headlamps. They are Hella's, German made. ... A: Greetings Mindaugas, Without a little more information, this is what I can tell you to do. If ...
Beveled Glass Equipment	7/27/2007
Q: Kent, I am looking to buy a used 18" or 24" flat lap grinder and a vertical grinder/polishing ... A: Used equipment is hard to come by. My favorite lap grinder, and the one I use every day, is made by ...
bevelers	7/24/2007
Q: Denver glass machines or glasstar which would you buy for a small stained glass co. thanks in ... A: The best machine for the money is from a company called ASW Diamond, near Lancaster, CA. They have a ...
Patina	7/7/2007
Q: After polishing, if the patina isn't as dark as I'd like, can I add to the patina to make it darker? ... A: You shouldn't have to do anything, take a clean rag and keep applying the patina, every time you go ...
Patina	7/5/2007
Q: After polishing, if the patina isn't as dark as I'd like, can I add to the patina to make it darker? ... A: It depends whether your work is copper foil or lead. If its copper foil, you can always go back and ...
Band Saw VS Ring Saw	6/30/2007
Q: I am new to stained glass and I want to purchase a saw and I am unsure as to what to purchase. I am ... A: A band saw has diamond on one edge of a flat blade only, a rings saw has a round blade that is ...
stained glass	6/18/2007
Q: On setting a round stained glass(2'diameter)work in a masonary portal. Can you offer advise on ... A: Somehow I didn't see your question until today, I apologize for the delay. I might need a little ...
repair	4/14/2007
Q: i have a 2ft. circular stained glass ornament that hangs in a window.one of the welded clips has ... A: I think I need to see this in order to answer, if you can send me a photo (close-up) of the where ...
trouble cutting textured glass	4/9/2007
Q: Wondered if you could instruct me how to cut textured glass with tight curves,ie:clouds. I am having ... A: Well, without seeing the patterns you are using for the clouds it's a little difficult to know. ...
cutting a glass cylinder	2/11/2007
Q: I have a glass cylinder (chimney) that I need to remove about an 1/8 of an inch of glass on one end ... A: The only way I know to do this is to very carefully grind off the 1/8 inch you need. You need to ...
Stained Glass Repair	1/19/2007
Q: Kent, I am currently a senior in high school and one of our graduating requirements is to complete a ... A: I would like to help you but need more information than you've written. It's almost the same as if ...
creating holes in glass	1/17/2007
Q: from Washington DC. What is the best way to put a 1/8" hole thru a piece of glass? Would you ... A: Much better to drill. If you try to heat it up, you have to do it very carefully, and you have to ...
Cost in doing beveling	11/30/2006
Q: I'm thinking of taking your Hand Beveling course at the Glass Craft and Bead Expo in Las Vegas next ... A: Good question, and I've got an answer for you. It really depends on how much beveling you plan on ...
mirror glass	11/24/2006
Q: I found a beautiful window frame in an antiques shop in Atlanta. I would like to make this into a ... A: Yes, mirror can be cut just like any other glass. If your going to tackle this yourself make sure ...
Saws	10/29/2006
Q: My son and I have taken a few stainglass classes and are now considering investing in some ... A: The saw I use most for stained glass is a ring saw, like the Taurus 3 by Gemini saws. You can find ...
stained glass window repair	10/28/2006
Q: We are in the process of attempting to preserve our church's stained glass windows. Several of them ... A: If your just trying to seal the windows to the frame, you can use the silicone caulk, but if there ...
Glass cutting precision	10/22/2006
Q: Kent, I have been working with stained glass for about 4 years. I have been doing all 3 ... A: Well, I suppose your not calling, so I'll try to answer as best I can. My suggestion is to get a ...
crack in foiled stained glass window	9/27/2006
Q: I have a large stained glass window and there is a small crack in one of the central pieces. It is a ... A: I think in this case, unless you have a good deal of experience repairing foiled windows, your best ...
crack in glass	9/20/2006
Q: i have a beautifull square-bent on edges, glass glass plate. its blue in colour with tiny glass ... A: Greetings Vrishali, I'm sorry to say that what you're asking to do is difficult. The best ...
polishing and plating	8/28/2006
Q: Yes it is stained glass free standing angels.Where can I find a good gold plater, and someone just ... A: I usually take my stained glass panels to a professional plater to get done, so I don't do it ...
Stained glass panels	8/18/2006
Q: My family bought a house in Brooklyn, NY in 1951 and there were four stained glass panels in the ... A: It's hard to place a value on them without seeing them, but from what you described I know just what ...
Removing putty from stain glass windows	7/27/2006
Q: I have two small pieces of stain glass that are in metal window frames. They are held in the frames ... A: There are a few ways you can get the putty out. Unfortunately, there isn't a compound or liquid that ...
broken etched glass	7/13/2006
Q: I'm not knowledgeable re art glass but will try to explain our problem. We purchased a cabinet with ... A: Sorry your piece was broken, I really hate when that happens. There is one thing you can do, ...
Removing scratches from a bevel	7/12/2006
Q: I read your answer on removing scratches from scanner glass. Would it be feasable to do the same on ... A: There isn't much that you can do without glass polishing equipment, it also depends on how deep the ...
Drill bit ??	6/27/2006
Q: What would be my best choice of drill bit to drill into a hollow glass block?. We are need of a 1/2 ... A: Easy answer, You can find diamond core drills at lots of stores, but just to make it easy for you ...
Foiling	6/8/2006
Q: I am working on a panel with many pieces. Situation makes for a slow process which results in only ... A: You were right about the foil tarnishing, but you can clean the foil a little with very fine steel ...
stained glass	6/2/2006
Q: I have a hanging Tiffany style lamp fixture that needs repair. Being a multi-craft person with no ... A: Sometimes, and I stress "sometimes", they can be easy to fix, if you have experience repairing ...
Leaded glass window, bent	5/19/2006
Q: I accidently allowed my wife's 24" X 39" stained glass window frame to fall over, now the top 8" or ... A: I'm not quite sure by what "cast" means, but the fact that no glass is broken is very good. Normally ...
Bevels set in lead	5/10/2006
Q: I am getting ready to do some beveled SG pictures and I would like to do them in lead and could not ... A: Greetings Heidi, The puttying procedure is the same for bevels as it would be for stained ...
Window Breakage	5/7/2006
Q: If a stained-glass window is penetrated by say, a golf ball, witl the entire window shatter, or just ... A: What an interesting question, are you anticipating a golf ball coming through a stained-glass ...
glass rod polishing	3/21/2006
Q: kent lauer, We m/s sterlite optical technologies ltd are a leading optical fiber producers in ... A: Greetings Eswaran, I need a little more information. How large are the glass rods? What is the ...
Patina question...	3/2/2006
Q: I haven't really worked with applying patina before - I have a project I'm about done with now, and ... A: I assume your'e doing a copper foil project? You can take some very fine steel wool and go over the ...
foiled glass repair	2/16/2006
Q: ) I have a broken piece of glass on a foiled project. Its a border piece, so it's only attached at ... A: I think it would be harder to take the zinc off of all the pieces, so I would do what you said, and ...
drilling Borosilicate glass	2/7/2006
Q: Is it possible to drill borosilicate (Pyres) glass? I want to drill a half-inch hole in the bottom ... A: As long as you take your time drilling the hole, you won't create extra stress on the pyrex. ...
REPAIR	1/18/2006
Q: I HAVE A BROKEN STAIN GLASS LAMP SHADE, MADE OF AMBER AND GLASS. COULD YOU OR DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE ... A: The best thing to do is contact the nearest stained glass shop near you, they almost always do ...
Repairing Broken Glass in Foil Project	12/30/2005
Q: My father recently put together a beautiful pair of stained glass inserts for china cabinet doors. ... A: You certainly can repair the panel that way, and since your father put them together I'll bet he can ...
repairs	12/30/2005
Q: I have a flat panel glass piece with a broken piece near the edge of the panel. It is a 24 inch ... A: I would suggest taking the panel to a stained glass shop, if you have one nearby. Unless you've had ...
steel glass	12/19/2005
Q: I work at a large steel works near sheffield england, i dont know if you can help me or not, i am ... A: I've tried to answer you several times, but each time it won't send. Maybe this time. The substance ...
polishing	12/10/2005
Q: taken a beginner course recently and am wondering what product to use to polish my finished object. ... A: You didn't say whether this is a copper foil project, or lead. The polishing techniques are ...
Glass pumpkin repairs?	11/28/2005
Q: I hope you can be of help, but if not thank you anyways. I am writing a research paper on how-to ... A: It really depends on where the chips are. Can you be more specific? If it's broken the only way to ...
mosaic table made with italian cast glass smalto	11/10/2005
Q: I have a diamond water polisher with assorted polishing disks. I would like to polish the top of a ... A: I don't have much info to go on from your email, but I would try using the second pad or wheel for ...
beveling info	9/13/2005
Q: I recently got a used hand beveling machine made by denver glass. it has four wheels 100grit ... A: Congrats on getting a Denver machine, I've had many, and they are very good. There is so much info ...
Glass grinding and polishing	9/13/2005
Q: I'm Aung Soe from Myanmar.I'd like to know about beveling the glass and hand grinding of various ... A: greetings Aung Soe, Thanks for your letter. There is far to much information to be placed in ...
Taurus II saw - blade question	7/11/2005
Q: It just started to make a noise (like a jack hammer!). I checked the blade (which I haven't ... A: Just so happens that my friend Jesse Cogswell invented the Taurus (ring saw). You definately need to ...
chips when grinding glass	5/2/2005
Q: Despite using a fine bit, I am getting a lot of chipping on my glass. This is a real problem when I ... A: Most grinding heads will leave some sort of chipping, as you've seen. Ususally the chips are fairly ...
Diamond Grinder Bits	4/24/2005
Q: Rather new at stained glass. Have a grinder and several wheels. When and why do you need to use a ... A: There are many differnt sizes and shapes of grinding wheels. The 1" is a general size, but if you ...
Ground glass bottle	4/19/2005
Q: We have a glass bottle with ground glass neck and it also has a ground glass lid. The lid is ... A: The only thing that occurs to me would be to soak the whole thing in warm water, maybe loosen ...
Grinding Question	3/20/2005
Q: I'm a beginner at stained glass. I've been working with black irridized glass and have been having ... A: Sounds like this could be a couple things. I'd try a grinder head that's finer than the one you're ...
Removal of scratches	2/11/2005
Q: Sorry if this is out of your remit, but if you can help it would be most appreciated. I wear a ... A: Greetings Colin, I wish I had some better news for you, but polishing plastic lenses is ...
removing scratches from glass	2/9/2005
Q: Help,I've scratched my scanner glass,how can I lessen/remove the scratch??? A: Sorry to say there really isn't too much you can do to fix this. If you want to go to the trouble of ...
recycled glassware	1/21/2005
Q: but I still wonder why CLEAR glass when recycled and melt down and reshaped, the new products are ... A: Clear glass, when melted together, should remain clear, unless some other elements are added to it ...
glass	1/18/2005
Q: could you please tell me if possible , how can you tell cut glass from moulded glass of the same ... A: Greetings MR P GOFORTH, Good Question! Sometimes it's hard to tell. Cut glass usually has much ...
recycled glassware	1/18/2005
Q: What gives recycled glass its blue-green hue? A: Greetings Melinda, Recycled glass (and all other types of glass) has different amounts of ...
Stained glass repair	12/31/2004
Q: I have 2 small panels of art deco stained glass in wooden frames for hanging. Each glass panel is ... A: My best recommedation to you would be to find a good stained glass repair shop and let them repair ...
polishing edges of stained glass pieces	12/5/2004
Q: I am attemting to make stained glass necklaces but I do not want to foil and solder, I want to leave ... A: There are a couple of ways you can take care of this. The first way is to use a kiln to heat the ...
Door Window	11/22/2004
Q: I plan to make a staioned glass window for my fron door (approx. 27x37). I prefer to use ... A: copperfoil should be fine as long as you don't make too many crazy pieces in the panel. By crazy I ...

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Kent Lauer

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any questions regarding hand beveling, grinding and polishing of glass objects, and repair of glass

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29 years of stained and beveled glass

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