Learn the Craft of Leadlighting

Stain Glass can be Fairyland brought to Life

© Aileen McLeod

Jun 11, 2009

This craft dates back many centuries and can still be enjoyed by the craftsperson.

Design is important

Designs are available in books and craft stores as well as imagination.

It is suggested that one begins with a small project then advance to something more ambitious.

Workspace Needs

• A sturdy table
• Good lighting and ventilation

Some Glass Suggestions

• Opalescent
• Cathedral
• Antique

Leadlighting Tips

• Wrap glass in paper when not being used.
• Good ventialtion when soldering.
• Wear rubber gloves when handling chemicals.
• Safety goggles are a suggested investment.

Materials required

• Glass- cutters
• Various pliers
• Lead cutter
• Nails
• Soldering iron
• Felt pen
• Graph paper
• Rubber cement
• Soft cloths
• Brush
• Dishwashing detergent
• Lead or Copper foil
• Fine tooth saw
• Zinc Chloride Flux
• Brown paper
• Carbon paper
• Scissors
• Wooden roller

1. The design is drawn onto the graph paper.
2. The carbon paper is used to make a copy of the design. Number the sections where the different colours of glass will be placed. This transfer is referred to as the ‘original cartoon.'
3. Sharp scissors are used to cut the pattern from the Graph paper. The other copy is the worksheet. Cutting glass is termed ‘scoring’, and to achieve accuracy it is wise to glue the pattern to the glass with rubber cement, the excess cement is wiped away with a damp cloth. Allow this to dry then proceed with the scoring.
4. Safety goggles should be used before the cutting with the glass cutter. Slowly and carefully, this is run along the inside of the pattern edge. The cutter is taken off the glass. Score through the patterend lines andwhen all pieces are cut, check the worksheet diagram and each piece of glass is then numbered.
5. Peel off the rubber cement pattern and retain these pattern pieces. Wipe the glass clean with detergent.
6. When all pieces have been cut, place them into pattern position on your worksheet.
7. It is now time to prepare the copper or lead foil. The strips are cut and placed around the edge of the pattern. Slowly and precisely the foil is encased around the edge of the glass, the foil edges pressed down firmly between the thumb and index finger, this is called crimping.
8. The wooden roller is rolled over the foiling to ensure a firmer and neater edge.
9. This is placed onto the worksheet and continued in the same manner with each pattern piece.
10. The pieces are assembled with the soldering iron. Small nails are used to hold the piece in place. Flux is applied to the joints, then all joints are soldered with a hot soldering iron, carefully turned over and repeated.
11. Black putty is applied between the glass and groove in the lead. The putty must be kneaded in the hands to make it pliable, pushed in with fingers and trimmed with a cutter. A few days are needed for this to set before the other side is done.
12. The putty is thinned with turps and applied with a brush.

Stained Glass designs

Pen design for project

Design on mirror

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