Questions

[Audrey]

I just finished a piece this morning and used some amber glass with an etched design in it, which I have never done before. I used a new soldering iron which did not seem too hot, and I kept the iron moving, but I noticed several cracks in the etched glass but none in any of the other kinds of glass. Why would the etched glass tend to crack much more easily than other glass? Luckily it isn't noticed among the etching unless you examine it up close.

 Also, I told the lady in the store that I wanted to put lead around it and it would be my first experience with lead. She showed me how to do it and actually put the lead in the car for me so I wouldn't have to handle it. When I got home to North Carolina I noticed it was H came lead not U came. I assume she made a mistake. A friend suggested I just pinch the outer channel closed with pliers. I tried it on a scrap and uh uh . I was thinking that sticking something interesting in there to add interest to the frame would be cool, but I have no idea what to do. Any suggestions?

[PiscesGlass]

Well Audrey, first of all, I'd probably call the store you purchased it from..and I'm betting that they may replace what you received by mistake with U channel lead...that would be my first step.  Maybe someone else will have a suggestion on what you could do with it if you do decide to use it as an outer frame, I'm wouldn't use it as an outside frame.  I'd see if they'd ship you the correct lead and save this for a leaded glass project down the road.

I've heard that you can twist it and embellish the edges of a framed, finished piece by tack soldering it on..and it looks sort of cool, but you'd have to frame your panel with something else first...

Sounds like something that might happen to me...sorry.  De

[Anne]

It would be really interesting to see what the response from the glass store would be Audrey.  Isn't this the place that your awesome m-i-l bought you the Taurus Ring Saw?  Have you used it yet?

[Audrey]

Yes, it is where my MIL bought all the stuff, but they are in Florida and I am in NC. I think I will e-mail them and ask why they gave me the H came without complaining. I have already used it on the piece. Hanging you can't tell the difference. You have to look at it from the side to even notice. As it has all the little cracks I am not really concerned about making it perfect as it will never happen.

[JoanFrances]

If you are stuck with the H came, you can always twist it like Scooch does and use it to edge things, if you are not going to do lead work

[Bleedy Pokes]

I've heard of people using H came to help support a heavy round piece. You'd wrap and solder the came as you would normally with a U came, but instead of attaching two chains at the top, you use one chain and spot solder it into the channel so the the lower portion is supported by the chain, kind of like a sling. I think I saw that as a tip in the SGV gallery at some point.

[PiscesGlass]

I did see H channel lead used as an outside finished edge on one piece that came in to my shop for repairs...I'm assuming that they used something relatively smooth to bend the edges together on the outside.  I'm not sure I liked the look of it...but it did make a wider appearing "frame" for the piece.

What Bleedy Pokes was referring to..I think they used U channel..but they tack soldered the hanging wire (chain, unless it was a very small diameter, would take up too much space) around the edge of the piece..you'd have to foil it completely around the perimeter..then applied the U channel in two pieces..soldering it together where the hangers are and spot soldering to the foiled lines that touch the perimeter...unless I looked at it incorrectly.  Which is always a possibility.

De

[Kev]

Go to home depot with a piece of the H came, and go to the wire section. Look at the heavy gauge copper wire. Buy what will fit in the channel and fill it in. Take it home lay it in the channel as a filler. If you like the look of the copper as an accent, then just spot solder the ends closed at the top or bottom (which ever you choose), and a few places around the perimeter. The other option is to tin the copper, lay it in the channel, tack solder it in place, then fill in the rest of the gap with solder and patina.

[Brad_B]

One example of using H lead on the outside of a panel is to aid in fitting the panel inside a frame. The H lead can be trimmed to allow for irregularities in the frame. Otherwise U channel lead is used. I have used H lead often in fitting panels into frames.

Brad

[Graham]

I did see H channel lead used as an outside finished edge on one piece that came in to my shop for repairs...I'm assuming that they used something relatively smooth to bend the edges together on the outside.  I'm not sure I liked the look of it...but it did make a wider appearing "frame" for the piece.

What Bleedy Pokes was referring to..I think they used U channel..but they tack soldered the hanging wire (chain, unless it was a very small diameter, would take up too much space) around the edge of the piece..you'd have to foil it completely around the perimeter..then applied the U channel in two pieces..soldering it together where the hangers are and spot soldering to the foiled lines that touch the perimeter...unless I looked at it incorrectly.  Which is always a possibility.

De

Nope! I think Bleedypokes was referring to "H". But you're probably right about wire rather than chain. The wire goes in the outer channel (The inner being filled with the stained glass, terminating with hanging loops somewhere around the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock areas, where hanging chain can be hooked to it. A spot of solder at the bottom, and at the terminal points is all that's required.

1/2 " flat "H" is the recommended one to use. Round topped came will not close neatly. With 1/2" a rolling pin rolled around the piece from both sides can do a pretty neat job of closing the came.

[Stephen Richard]

I routinely close "H" came when using it as a perimeter came on a hanging panel by folding the flanges toward each other.

This can be safely done by using a stopping knife, or a wooden fid.  With the panel flat on the bench, you pass the stopping knife along the length of the came with the end of the tool on the bench and the blade (or length) at an angle touching the came.  Several moderately firm passes will bend the flange toward the bench.  Do this all round.  Turn the panel over and repeat.  Unless you are using 1/4" came, the edges of the flanges will meet, giving a smooth regular seam.

A rolling pin is suitable for other purposes, as when the spouse comes home late and drunk.

Steve

[Audrey]

Thanks everyone

[Tre V]

A rolling pin is suitable for other purposes, as when the spouse comes home late and drunk.

Steve

Isn't it wonderful how time honored traditions carry through to the arts?

[Audrey]

I just heard back from e-mailing the shop that sold it to me and this was there response.

"Its not unusual for us to use the H came around the outside of a project.  If in fact, one is going to use hooks to "free-hang" the panel, the channel is a nice place to hide the hooks and the H came is actually less likely to pull away from the panel.  If you are fitting the panel into a frame, the extra channel is a nice "bumper" protection for the nails going into the framework or molding.  It is a normal practice for us and we've actually converted some people, but in the long run its actually a personal preference more than anything else"

[PiscesGlass]

What a great question! And even better answers..I sure learned something new!  Thanks Guys great input!

De

[Graham]

A rolling pin is suitable for other purposes, as when the spouse comes home late and drunk.

Steve

I never do frames that way myself. I had as student who tried closing the leaves with a fid, and complained that it left "shiny marks" on the leaf, presumably she put a little too much pressure on it, or used a fid with a sharpish edge. I suggested she go around it with the rolling pin, and she phoned back to thank me and tell me how well it worked.

If one can get "she who must be obeyed" to leave the rolling pin in the studio, rather than just inside the front door, it's not so handy with which to greet one.

[PiscesGlass]

LOL Graham, Is there a door to come in from the studio...then SWMBO could leave the rolling pin there....lol

Good drawing btw! 

   De

[Kev]

Great pic Graham and good idea! I hope you posted it in the hints section.