Have you ever wondered what those colored windows founded in churches and concert halls are made of? No doubt the material is glass, but it is a special type of glass known as stained glass.
Making stained glass is not as straightforward as painting a sheet of glass with your choice of colors, since it is capable of emitting a jeweled gloss. You will need some special tools and materials dedicated for making stained glass, and it can be a rather difficult task for novices.
Tools required for making stained glass
Handling glass is an entirely different process compared to handling wood, so tools catered towards making stained glass are needed. Below is a list of different tools to be prepared.
- Breaker-grozer pliers – This is an essential tool when it comes to making stained glass, as it is capable of gripping the glass on one end while you prepare to operate on it. Furthermore, the serrated teeth in the jaws of the pliers are designed to smoothen the irregular edges and unwanted portions of the glass.
- Running pliers – When you need to perform straight cuts on the glass, a pair of running pliers is what you need. There is a mark on top of the running pliers which you can apply perpendicularly to the glass, and proceed to press it down to cut it cleanly.
- Soldering iron – If your job requires you to join solid pieces together, you will need to have a soldering iron ready with some solder at your disposal. Since you are making stained glass for this case, the soldering iron to be used should be running at between 80 and 150 watts so that the adequate temperature for melting can be attained.
- Glass marking pens – In order to make markings on glass, you will need special glass marking pens. These pens contain medium points with black ink, though if you are working on dark stained glass, you will have to obtain those white-paint type markers to get the job done.
A few tips on making stained glass
The process of making stained glass requires delicate handling coupled with accurately applied strength, which can be frustratingly tough if you are too impatient. One important tip to know is that when you are cutting stained glass, you should never score the lines multiple times. In addition, if you apply too much force when scoring, the glass may become chipped or even broken. Using a firm hand in this process is vital if you wish to cut the glass correctly. Also, when you are scoring, it is highly advisable to score just inside the marked line, as doing so will remove the tedious chore of grinding the glass excessively just to fit the pattern.
For safety measures related to making stained glass, the number one tip to follow is to wear safety goggles during the cutting process. The workshop where you are doing the work should be properly ventilated and kept clean at all times. Lastly, you should use a cloth to remove any glass chips scattered on the floor after each cut to prevent those from cutting your hands while at work. |
|
|
