How to use copper foil to make stained glass
This instruction shows you how to burnish your stained glass pieces with copper foil.This will allow you to solder around each piece and join them all together.
To help you choose the right foil for your project, there is information on all the different colors, widths and weights.
There are many things you can learn to make stained glass more rewarding.
If you don't have a local class, my Stained Glass Made Perfect course can help you master the essential techniques and progress to making more complex work.If you don't have a physical class nearby, the course is self-paced and online so you can learn these techniques.You can read more about it here.
The foil should be starting in the correct place.For maximum strength, learn how to foil tricky shapes evenly.
A roll of copper foil is a good starting point for many things.
It is worth spending some time making the foil as neat as possible at this stage, as any gaps or uneven areas will show up during soldering.I like to use Edco or Venture Tape.
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You can use a piece of lined paper as a guide if you have trouble centring the foil.
The copper foil and soldering process is shown in the stained glass video instruction.It lasts 30 seconds.
The joining of the two ends of tape together is a bit more difficult if the foil is started at the corner of a shape.There is a video of foiling and soldering.
You are ready for Stained Glass Soldering when you are happy that you have burnished and crimped as neatly as possible.
I have a soldering iron controller.I have taken a class.The best temperature to solder with good results should be set by the controller.I have a soldering iron.Do I need to use the controller?
If you are starting out, 700F is a good temperature as beginners tend to go slower with their soldering.The higher the temperature, the quicker you get it.There is a page on soldering temperatures here.
Love your site, Milly.Can you tell me how to blacken the silver solder so that I can match the existing colour?
Carol, you can buy black patina.After cleaning the solder, wash it off and wax it, put it on.I hope that answers your question.
Yes!There are a lot of suggestions on this page.I hope that helps.
How long can you keep the chemicals?I tried to find the answer on the internet.Enjoy your tips.
If you keep them when you use them, the main bulk of them will stay securely fastened.If they are messy and have been left off, they don't last as long and are not as effective.Thanks for liking my tips, I hope that helps Jean.
Milly, I really like your information.Do you know if braided wire comes in different lengths?I used a piece of glass as a backing for my figure and I want to solder it around it.Do you solder the wire on the edge of the glass or do you cover it with foil?
Depending on how strong you want it to be, you can solder it at regular points around the perimeter or join it all the way along.The second option is stronger.You can twist your own wire with a drill and attach it to a work bench.Slowly twist it!If you want to start, 16 is a good gauge.I hope that helps her.
I have a dated 2004 copper foil that doesn't seem very sticky.How long should copper foil last?It was wrapped in original wrapping and never opened.
Yes, it does.Sometimes you can be lucky and sometimes not.If it doesn't stick, bin it, you'll make more work for yourself if you use it.There is a page on foil not sticking here.
How do you foil small glass pieces so that you can still see them after soldering?
To make sure you don't put too much solder in those areas, use a flatter solder.The piece is too small if you can't see it.
The effect of tiny pieces of colour is amazing.I hope that helps her.
Can you tell me the length of time I can leave between copper foiling and soldering, since time restrictions won't allow me to complete it all in a day, but could I leave it a week between the two?Thanks.
The time between foiling and soldering should be short.If it is a large panel, put saran wrap over it to stop the air from oxidising the copper foil as much as possible.
I often leave my glass out too long.Sometime to the point of the copper turning green.I use steel wool to brush the foil.Milly's suggestion will save you a lot of time.
Thank you for reminding Floyd not to do this.A good tip too.Wear a mask to reduce airborne particles.
Thank you so much for the helpful hints.There are still problems with my soldering.It is over 80 degrees inside my shed where I solder.The fan is blowing towards me.Is running a good bead affected by that?I have to do the whole thing over because the last project was so bad.I get holes down to the foil when my solder bubbles up.It is like glue trying to get my solder back to a bead when it is on both sides of the glass.Help!
The stained glass solder seam will be impacted by a fan as it cools the solder before it has a chance to find its level.If that doesn't help, try putting the fan over your shoulder.Too much solder can cause the bubbling up.Don't put so much on.As you go, you can wipe the flux off.Pull the solder back to the bead if you can heat it on the edge of the glass.The hot iron is less likely to crack if it is placed on the edge of the glass.Good luck and I hope that helps.
I'm Hi.I find it difficult to keep the glass in the center of the foil when I am starting with stained glass.Thanks for your help and website.
You could use a sheet of lined paper for guidance.It is a simple trick that helps a lot of students.
I also have an issue with keeping foil straight, but I can't see the advice of using lined paper.Is there a video showing this that you would be willing to share?Thanks.
cwgrl 512@att.netWhat do you think about the amount of time it takes to solder after foiling a large project?
You can either clean it with soapy water or with Kwik Clean.If your stained glass panel is too large to wash, cover it with a plastic sheet and tuck it in to prevent oxidation.Thanks for the question, I hope that helps.
I have a problem with my project coming apart.After burnishing it, it seems to be stuck, but then comes loose!I have tried different foil, cleaning longer, burnishing longer and harder and still this happens.Is there any advice?
Over-soldering is the biggest cause of stained glass foil coming loose.The edges of a free-hanging piece can be torn.There is nothing left to keep the solder on.You might want to watch this video and see if you like it.Cleaning and polishing is on the edges of a piece.Be very careful at this stage and make sure you clean inside.I hope this helps you.
It is possible to get silver-backed foil so that it doesn't show when you leave your stained glass and solder silver.I hope that answers your question.