The supplies you will need to work with stained glass
Let us shed some light on the ancient art of stained
glass working - picture this!
Stained Glass Supplies - What You'll Need For Great
Stained Glass Masterpieces by :
John Thompson
Although stained glass can be purchased today, stain glass supplies
are available for those who are ambitious in developing their own.
Stained Glass utilizes particular materials due to a rather intricate
and involved process of production. Common stain glass supplies are
described below.
- Glass
The most apparent stain glass supply. The glass should be thin enough
to be easily cut without shattering or breaking, but should also be
heavy enough to withstand the element. Glass is sold according to
weight and in square-foot sheets. Various textures are available, such
as wavy, smooth, rippled, etc. These present a challenge, especially
when coloring and cutting, but the process is fun, and the end result
is awesome!
- Metallic Salts and Oxides
These create color when the glass is fired in a kiln. Copper should be
incorporated for green, and blue glass or gold oxides for red and
orange.
- White Glass
This might be necessary should the colors come out too dark. Mixing
white glass on a blow pipe and then blowing onto red glass lightens
the resulting color.
- Blow Pipe
Necessary to blow white glass, if appropriate. This process, described
above, serves to lighten dark-colored glass.
- Grozing Iron
This is for cutting glass in previously determined shapes according to
the particular designs of the stained glass project.
- Lead
This is stripped into previously determined shapes so that they can be
fitted between then the pieces of glass. Since lead poisoning has
become a real potential problem, Copper Foil serves as a viable
substitute for lead. The latter just might even be more low-priced to
use in the long run.
- Soldering Iron
This is required to reconnecting the glass pieces with the lead strips
or Copper Foil alongside the edges.
- Frames
Since these are to be watertight, the use of wooden frames are not
advised. Metal or lead frames, or some other solid but not-too-heavy
material should be considered for stained glass.
- Oily Cement
This is applied by filling the joints to make the frame water tight
all the way around.
Stained Glass is made pretty much the same way as it was during the
Middle Ages, but the advances in technology have simplified the system.
It requires tremendous skill, so those who are interested are advised to
read up on it thoroughly. It is important to know which stain glass
supplies are needed and why.
The right Stain Glass Supplies can make anyone into a regular
Michelangelo. Well not quite, but it's a great start!
About The Author
Stain glass lamps comparable packages and
value-added services are found at my web site.
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