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CLASSES
FOR NOVICES UP TO INTERMEDIATES
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Beginner:
You will learn pattern preparation, scoring, breaking
and grinding glass, get a basic knowledge of copper foil,
soldering, cleaning and finishing.
Projects:
Small suncatcher and a 10" x 16" panel (pattern
supplied). |
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Intermediate:
You provide your own project and work at your own pace.
Intermediates must have their own tools. Materials Extra. |
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Inroduction to Fusing:
We provide all materials to make a 1.5" jewellery pendant and a
6" x 6" trivet |
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In all classes instructors will be on hand to help and answer any questions or problems that may arise.
A $25.00, non-refundable deposit, is required at registration.
All classes subject to applicable taxes. Materials are extra.
Storage of project is available to beginer foil and lead students only.
Due to limited space please be advised that there is NO make-up classes allowed. Students must attend classes they are registered for only.
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THE
COPPER FOIL TECHNIQUE
The
copper foil technique, method made popular by L.C. Tiffany
at the turn of the century, involves wrapping the pieces of
glass with copper foil and soldering them together along the
length of the seams. Copper foil can be used as an alternative
to lead in any instance at the personal preference of the
user. It is much stronger than lead when soldered.
The copper needed for this technique is of a thin, foil-like
gauge. It has an adhesive on one side and is backed by protective
paper. Some of the common sizes used are 5/32", 3/16",
7/32", 1/4", 5/16", and 3/8".
If you use very wide foil such as 3/8" to wrap thin glass,
you will have very wide seams in your finished project. Wide
foils such as 5/16" and 3/8" are usually used where
strength is an important factor or when very thick glass is
being used. Beginners using standard 1/8" thick machine-made
stained glass should start with 1/4" or 7/32" foil.
These sizes are easy for the novice to handle. With a little
more experience at cutting, you may like the narrow seams
that 3/16" foil produces. The choice of width and milage
is one of personal preference. As you do more stained glass,
you will find that you have definite preferences.
The allowance between your pieces of glass using the copper
foil method is 1/32". This means that the lines of your
pattern should be 1/32" thick. This allowance is the
space that your copper foil takes up. When cutting using the
traditional method, you must cut every piece of glass to
the inside of these lines. If you use the paper pattern
method this allowance is cut out of the pattern. If you are
using a full-size pattern that is drawn with 1/16" lines,
and using the traditional method, cut slightly to the inside
of these lines.
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Some
Tools and Supplies required
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glass
cutter
breaking pliers
grozing pliers
lathkin
foil pattern shears
soldering iron
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safety
glasses
ruler or straight edge
carbon paper
solder flux and brush
stained glass
copper foil |
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THE
LEADING TECHNIQUE
The process of interlocking and assembling pieces of glass together
using lead came is called "leading". There are two
common shapes of lead came used. "H-"shaped lead has
a double channel and is usually used between two pieces of glass.
"U-"shaped lead has a single channel and is used for
the outside perimeter. The face of either type of lead came
may be rounded or flat.
Lead came is commonly sold in six-foot lengths. Today, much
of the came sold is not pure lead. It is alloyed with several
other metals to make it stronger, easier to solder, and to prevent
it from oxidizing quickly.
A 1/16" allowance must be made between each piece of glass
if you are leading your project. Whether you use the traditional
or the paper pattern method of cutting your glass, you must
allow for this 1/16" or the size of your panel will grow
when the glass is assembled.
The thickness of the glass you have chosen and the project you
are making are important considerations in your choice of lead
came. Flat H leads are generally used as perimeter leads in
windows, while the round ones are used to lead the inside seams
of a panel or in lampshade construction. If you are going to
border the perimeter of an unframed piece, use U channel. The
most common leads used for building panels are 3/16" or
1/4" round H and 3/8" or 1/2" flat H. These measurements
refer to the size of the face of the lead came. The size of
the channel is standardly 3/16" which will accommodate
most types of glass.
Channels made of zinc are also available and widely used to
reinforce and add overall strength.
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Some
Tools and Supplies required
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glass
cutter
breaking pliers
grozing pliers
lathkin
lead pattern shears
bench brush
horseshoe nails
soldering iron
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safety
glasses
ruler or straight edge
carbon paper
lead knife
hammer
solder flux and brush
stained glass
lead came |
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