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    Making Stained Glass Panels
    Making Stained Glass Panels
    Making Stained Glass Panels
    Ebook667 pages1 hour

    Making Stained Glass Panels

    By Michael Johnston

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    About this ebook

    Illustrated, step-by-step instructions. Two methods of building a panel: lead and copper foil. Contains ten full-size patterns and includes a chapter on how to repair stained glass.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherStackpole Books
    Release dateJul 16, 2010
    ISBN9780811742252
    Making Stained Glass Panels
    Author

    Michael Johnston

    MICHAEL JOHNSTON has always been an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy. He studied architecture and ancient history at Lehigh University and earned a master’s degree in architecture from Columbia University. Michael worked as an architect in New York City before switching to writing full time. He is the co-author of the YA Heart of Dread trilogy (Frozen, Stolen, and Golden) with his wife Melissa de la Cruz and lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.

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      Book preview

      Making Stained Glass Panels - Michael Johnston

      Resources

      Introduction

      Iremember as a youngster sitting in the solemn being mesmerized by the gorgeous stained glass that was electrified by the sun. There were ten large windows in all, each one telling its own story from the New Testament. There was certainly a lot to look at: human figures, animals, background scenery, and the colors—oh, the colors. After twelve years of window gazing during my somewhat regular attendance, I had committed a lot to memory and developed quite an appreciation for old St. Francis.

      Twenty years passed before I picked up my first glass cutter, fashioned a few rather primitive-looking projects, and resumed my stained glass journey, a journey that has proven to be a wonderful way to travel through life.

      In this book, we have taken the teaching methods used in our studio for the past twenty-five years and put them in a cohesive learning plan with hundreds of accompanying photographs and detailed step-by-step instructions for building a beautiful stained glass window panel. There are two primary methods for building panels: using traditional lead channels, or cames, and the copper foil, or Tiffany, method. Both methods are described completely in this book to help you master them both.

      The featured project in the book is a classic design featuring a double arched border with repeating arches in the background. The center motif is a 10 5/8-inch circle with seven different design options to choose from. By selecting one design over another, you can achieve a significantly different look. We have also included faceted jewels in the border as well as in the upper star.

      The project uses all of the techniques needed to build a wide variety of panels. It is intended to be challenging but not overwhelming. If you are new to the craft, we have included brief primers in cutting glass, soldering copper foil, and cutting and soldering lead. I recommend that you first build one or two of the panel’s center circles for practice, following the instructions in chapters 4 and 5. This will prepare you for the successful completion of the larger panel.

      There is, however, one additional skill that you need to bring to the workbench: patience. Read all of the instructions and take your time. It is not a race; there is no prize for finishing first. This project might be a significant part of your stained glass legacy, so build it well.

      AS YOUR INTEREST IN STAINED GLASS BLOSSOMS, you will discover that you are spending a great deal of time in your glass shop. You will want some creature comforts. Four elements greatly contribute to a comfortable and efficient shop:

      •  good light source

      •  sturdy work table

      •  nearby water source

      •  adequate ventilation

      All aspects of stained glass making (cutting, foiling, soldering, and so on) involve a need for precision, and the better you see, the better the final product will be. A two- or four-bulb fluorescent light hanging over a workbench is generally adequate.

      A workbench should be sturdy and at a comfortable height. If you are of average height, a tabletop approximately 34 inches from the floor will probably work well. Plywood construction is ideal, and a size of 30 inches by 72 inches will accommodate most projects. A piece of fire-resistant fiberboard about 2 feet by 3 feet in size can be placed on the plywood tabletop.

      Homasote has a firm surface with a slight spring, which makes it perfect for glass cutting (plywood by itself is a bit rigid). Pushpins and nails are easily secured in homasote, and soldering is easier and safer because of its fire resistance. Homasote used to be readily available at building supply stores but is harder to find now. You might have to call around to find it or settle for a substitute product.

      In addition to providing a handy place to wash up, a nearby sink will make it easy to clean the project at various stages. Any size basin can work, but one with an opening of 12 by 20 inches or larger is ideal. Use a screen strainer to prevent sand and other debris from making its way into the drainpipes.

      Set up shop in the area that is convenient to you based on the space you have available. You will probably have only so many options and often must do the best you can. Ideally, you will want an area that has good ventilation—especially when you are soldering. If this is not possible, use a small table fan on your workbench or purchase a smoke absorber, available at stained glass supply stores. You can also experiment with opening adjacent doors and windows to create a cross breeze.

      In addition to the shop features listed here, several other items will be very useful:

      •bench brush and dustpan, for cleaning up glass shards and other debris

      •storage bins for sheets of glass

      •cabinet for chemicals and tools

      •comfortable stool

      •radio or MP3 or CD player

      •multi-receptacle surge suppressor with an LED light. This will allow you to have several electrical items plugged in at once. And the light will act as a visual reminder to turn off your soldering iron at the end of each work session.

      STAINED GLASS SAFETY

      Stained glass is generally a very safe craft, and by adopting the safety precautions listed here, you will greatly reduce the likelihood of injuries and health problems.

      •The most common injury that occurs with stained glass is a cut finger. Prevention includes careful handling of the glass and frequent brushing of your work area to eliminate shards and specks of glass. If you do get a cut, tend to it right away by applying an antiseptic and band aid. Keep these items at close hand in your shop.

      •Never eat, drink, or smoke while engaged in any of the steps in making stained glass items.

      •Be careful and use common sense when working with lead cames and solder. Generally, stained glass crafters are exposed to only very low levels of lead while building their projects. Make sure any open wounds are bandaged and that you thoroughly wash your hands after working with lead or solder.

      •Wear closed-toed shoes at all times to avoid glass injuries to your feet.

      •Do not allow pets in your work area.

      •Use rubber gloves when working with patinas and etching creams. These substances can cause chemical burns on exposed skin and can be harmful if absorbed into the bloodstream.

      •Always wear safety glasses when cutting or grinding glass. When using an electric grinder, though, be sure to also use the eye shield that attaches to the machine. Safety glasses alone are not sufficient, as ground debris will get on your face and cause skin irritation.

      •Use care when handling large sheets of glass. Grip the sheet by its top edge and move it slowly to avoid jarring. Never hold a large sheet of glass horizontally because it might crack from the strain. Never try to catch a falling sheet of glass—let it go and move quickly out of the way.

      •To avoid burns, use a heavy-duty stand to house your soldering iron when it’s not in use.

      •Take care that the cord of the soldering iron does not become entangled in the spirals of the stand. This will prevent damage to the cord and possible electrical problems.

      •When soldering, position your head so that you are not directly breathing in fumes from the flux.

      •Always wash your hands thoroughly after working in any phase of stained glass construction.

      •Avoid soldering in tight spaces with little ventilation. Create some airflow with a small fan or open windows. Smoke absorbers are also available in most stained glass supply shops.

      •Scraps of lead came should be recycled. If you do not have access to a recycler, ask the store where you purchased your lead to take it off your hands.

      •Consider placing a piece of rubber-backed carpet under the area where you will be cutting. It will provide a comfortable cushion to stand on and it can save those pieces of glass that slip off the table.

      IF YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH STAINED glass you probably already have most of the tools necessary to complete a panel in either lead or copper foil. And, depending on the projects you have completed, a lot of the supplies might also be in your workshop.

      This chapter lists and describes all of the items used in chapters 7 through 9 for building your panel. These items are also included on a checklist at the end of the chapter.

      •Tracing paper. Translucent paper allows lines from the original pattern to show through so they can be traced.

      •Carbon paper. Inky blue or black paper allows the design to be transferred onto oak tag.

      •Oak tag. About as think as a manila file folder; used to help you assemble glass pieces prior to soldering.

      •Colored pencils. Used to designate glass colors on paper pattern pieces.

      •Rubber cement. Attaches paper pattern templates onto glass.

      •Glass markers. For writing numbers on glass and drawing pattern shapes.

      •Cork-backed ruler. For

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