Menu
Log in


Stained Glass Wars: Tiffany Foil Strikes Back

11 Aug 2020 7:56 PM | Deleted user

Last week, we featured glass artist Bill Reif in our member spotlight. Now, we’ll explore some of his projects and the methods he uses to create them; like the incredible Star Wars R2D2 lampshade he made while in quarantine! This may not be a project for beginners to jump into, but the method he used is a popular one. The Tiffany Method, or copper foil method, is a stained glass technique wherein copper foil tape is soldered together between the pieces of glass to hold them in place.

Different projects call for different thicknesses of copper foil. Why? There are two main reasons: wanting a thicker line of metal or in reaction to the thickness of the glass pieces. The first is mostly an aesthetic choice and definitely plays into the artistic vision. Just remember, it’s fairly easy to complete a project with thicker lines than necessary, but it’s important to ensure that they are not too thin or the piece could be at risk of collapsing. That’s why it’s absolutely vital to get an understanding of what copper foil thicknesses correspond with which stained glass thicknesses before beginning to play with the rest. As with anything, make sure you have the basics down before moving on to the more difficult techniques.

Most stained glass that’s made today is mass-produced in a factory somewhere. This ensures that the product is standard industry-wide, though there are always exceptions. With that in mind, you’re most likely to work with stained glass pieces that are about 1/8” thick. In response, copper foil with a thickness of 7/32” should be sufficient. For glass pieces of varying thicknesses, as is common with older glass, you may have to use more foil in the thicker portions and less foil in the thinner ones. This can make it difficult to keep the lines looking even. Practice on glass pieces with a uniform thickness to get your soldering technique down pat.

Applying the foil is fairly simple, but be sure that the glass pieces being used are clean and free of any oils or other debris that might prevent the foil from adhering correctly. Then you just need to wrap, crimp, and burnish! Wrapping is the placement of the copper foil around the edges of each glass piece. One side of the foil is adhesive, so it’s easy to apply - just arrange it so that the edge of the glass is centered on the foil strip. The crimping, or folding, stage is exactly what it sounds like. Fold the edges of the foil strip down over each side of the glass so that it cups the edge. Burnishing is then taking the extra step to make sure that you press those edges down as smooth and flat as you’re able. This pushes out all of the air bubbles that could be caught underneath. 

Once each piece is surrounded by copper foil, the project is ready for soldering. Soldering stained glass requires the solder itself as well as a flux - a flowing agent to help smooth the solder and adhere to the foil. By heating the iron, the solder liquefies and it is possible to ‘paint’ it across each copper foil seam by brushing the iron over it lightly. Being able to avoid clumps comes with time and practice, so there’s no need to worry if there are a few on the project. The piece will also need time to set after the solder is made, which will depend on the thickness of the seams. 

In the end, the stained glass piece is left with gorgeous, translucent colored glass pieces held together by lines of metal. As is shown with Bill’s inventive lampshade, there’s no shortage of what can be created once a maker knows what they’re doing. Stained glass is a hugely versatile medium with beautiful results, but it’s far from the only thing that can be done with glass. Come back next week to see the next glass project featured by the Roswell Firelabs Makerspace: mosaic sculpting!

Make sure you never miss an update (like when we’ll start in-person classes like our stained glass class again) by joining us on Slack or following us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.



Comments

  • 17 Sep 2021 12:48 PM | Plaquenil
    Prezzi Kamagra
    Link  •  Reply
  • 19 Sep 2021 2:51 AM | how long does it take lasix to work
    Nosipren Prednisona
    Link  •  Reply
  • 21 Sep 2021 7:18 PM | Priligy
    On Line Pharmacy'S
    Link  •  Reply
  • 24 Sep 2021 9:27 PM | Zithromax
    Prezzi Propecia Online
    Link  •  Reply
  • 4 Oct 2021 9:36 PM | Neurontine
    Kamagra 100 Mg Oral Jelly
    Link  •  Reply
  • 4 Dec 2021 11:02 PM | kentucky gabapentin neurontin
    Propecia Canadian Pharmacy
    Link  •  Reply
  • 5 Dec 2021 9:02 PM | buy z pak
    Hydrochlorothiazide Hypertension Renfrewshire
    Link  •  Reply
  • 6 Dec 2021 4:01 PM | buy hcq
    Order Doxycycline Online Australia
    Link  •  Reply
  • 21 Dec 2021 3:23 AM | how long does it take for propecia to work
    Misoprostol 20mg Avis
    Link  •  Reply

Blog posts

Roswell Firelabs
1601 Holcomb Bridge Rd

Roswell, GA 30076

Roswell FireLabs is managed by Atlanta Maker Alliance, Inc., a local 501(c)3 non-profit organization.


By participating in any activities at the Roswell Firelabs, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:

    • I am aware and understand that some activities conducted at Roswell Firelabs are inherently dangerous and involve risk of injury, death, or property damage.

    • I acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in the activities and/or facilities operated by the organization, and agree to accept all risks.

    • I acknowledge all training, safety, and general policies and procedures ratified by the organization, and pledge to abide by them.

    • I acknowledge and agree to hold harmless Roswell Firelabs / Atlanta Maker Alliance, its members, officers, directors, successors, and delegates from all claims on account of personal injury, death, or property damage attributed to my participation in activities and/or facilities operated by Roswell Firelabs / Atlanta Maker Alliance.

    • I agree to not bring any claims against the organization or the City of Roswell, and hereby release and discharge the organization and the City of Roswell from liability under any such claims.

    • Additionally, I agree to hold the organization and the City of Roswell harmless against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind arising from any claim of a third party related to activities and/or facilities operated by Roswell Firelabs / Atlanta Maker Alliance.

    • I acknowledge that consent to this LIABILITY DISCLAIMER is implied upon entering the premises, either on my own behalf or through my legal guardian.

    • I certify that I am either a legal adult (18 years old), or will be accompanied by a legal chaperone/guardian capable of consenting to this LIABILITY DISCLAIMER on my behalf.  If I falsify my age (either on my own or through someone on my behalf), I acknowledge that this is not the fault, liability, or responsibility of Roswell Firelabs/Atlanta Maker Alliance, Inc., and the terms of this LIABILITY DISCLAIMER still apply.



    Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software