Last post I started this stained-glass project by drawing a picture then making it the correct size for the window. I made a frame with 1X1/2 strips of wood screwed to plywood and added the zinc frame on the edges. The picture was altered to fit the size of the glass panels that I had bought for this project. Next the picture was transferred to pattern paper using carbon paper to transfer it. The pattern is cutout by using pattern scissors that allow enough space for the copper foil on the edges of the cut-out glass. Below you can see the blue & brown mountains with copper foil and the sun and sky cut then ground to fit together as close as possible. The picture was put down in the frame as a guide for the pieces of glass as they are cut and fitted.
This is the first bird rough cut with the pattern glued to them using the glue stick shown.
A closer picture of the bird with glued pattern on the glass before being cut. The glass cutter I use is shown beside the glue stick. The glass panels you can buy comes in 12"12", 16"X16" or larger if you order it in bulk.
The bird and sky were cut, fit and copper foiled as the progress from bottom to top of the window is being done as the glass pieces get to be a little larger or smaller as needed to fit the frame size. The pattern is uncut at the top of the window, and I make adjustments to it as I go.
A
diamond band saw is used for the more difficult cuts. I try to keep the pattern as dry as possible to avoid it coming off the glass as it still needs to be ground to fit the pattern.
This is what it looks like after it has been cut on the band saw and ground on
diamond grinder.
The second bird with individual fathers laid out on the glass ready to be cut, pay attention to the grain of the glass as you lay this out.
Top half of the window being fitted with the bird being the last.
Alot of grinding and fitting is required to make all the pieces fit. I had one bad break when cutting the body of the bird where the tail cracked and I did not have enough of that glass to make another one, so a joint had to be used.
All the pieces are fitted and ready for copper foil.
The next step is to solder all the copper foiled joints and the zinc frame joints using a good
adjustable heat soldering iron and
60/40 solder and
liquid flux.
After the soldering is done on both sides of the window flux cleaner is used to wash the glass then I used
black patina to color the solder joints.
To frame the window, I used
oak framing that is available at your glass supplier. It was cut to size then stained to the color of your choice mine being light oak that shows the grain of the wood.
Below is the finished window in place with the sun coming from outside.
I don't have another project started right now but as always one always pops up so until the next post, I hope you all have a good Christmas and a joyful new year.
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