Gray Cat

[Audrey]

Dusty, I seem to have the same issues as you and have been working at it a year. I got the foiling machine early on, and while it is great to HOLD the foil, It doesn't put it on any more evenly, so basically I use it to hold the foil while I pull some out and place it by hand. Maybe a different type would be better. Mine is the Glastar foiler. I really want to learn lead. I just started with a lead border on my last piece, and soon I will learn to do it all, I hope. I do have problems with pieces not fitting quite right that I think lead would cover instead of uneven solder lines.

[azbunch]

I just stumbled on this thread, Dusty, and had to comment on what a gorgeous piece that is!  Very nice indeed!  And I agree with the folks who encouraged you to try foil again.  It does get easier as far as lining up the foil the more you do it.  And it's such a relief not having to putty/whiting both sides - yuck!  Let us know when you decide to start a foil project - you can post your progress on the "Start to Finish" thread.  Would love to watch it come together...you can do it!

Beth

[Graham]

My problems with foil seem to be many. First the cut pieces have to be exact. Then I can never get the foil on straight. And finally my soldering does not look that great.
Thats why I like lead. There is a little more tolerance.

As far as glass selection for my cat I have some new glass coming and hope it will meet the requirements.

Most people who can't get the foil straight are trying to put the foil on the glass.

Bend you head around this idea. Try putting the glass onto the foil. (He's crazy, right?)

Lay the foil, sticky side up, across your finger. Now place the glass in the muddle of the foil. Take a look at both sides, and see if it's pretty even.That's easy, right!!

Now take a good look at how much foil overlap you have on the "presentation side" of the glass. From now on, just concentrate on how much foil your can see on the presentation side. The back will take care of itself.

Now turn the glass, sort of rolling it along like a wheel, pressing the foil against the edge of the glass with that finger, ensuring that the amount of foil showing on the presentation side remains consistent. When you've gone all the way round cut or tear the foil off, flatten the foil onto the presentation side and the back, and burnish it.

Always be looking at the sticky side. Working from the other side might work with scotch tape - but you can see through that. We don't have Xray vision/

[Kev]

That was a perfect explanation Graham..that is how I do it...you really do get on a roll once you start doing it....pardon the pun.