How to Do Stained Glass - Tools and Supplies Needed

If you wish to produce very simple hanging window ornaments, read the following lists to see the kinds of tools and supplies that you will need.

In addition to the tools and supplies, of course, you will need glass, solder, and either lead or copper foil.

To practice glass cutting, you may try your skills first on some scrap window glass, which you may beg or borrow from your local hardware dealer. Or, a few pounds of glass remnants will give you the feel of the real thing. We recommend you start with cathedral glass, because it is generally easier to cut than opalescent glass.

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Here are some basic tools and materials to get you started.

Very affordable soldering iron for the stained glass novice. Should be used with a temperature controller, for flexibility as well as so not to overheat the tip. Comes with 3/8" shank chisel tip (#6867).

This imported solid state wattage controller will accommodate any soldering iron up to and including 600 Watts. Ideal for the hobbyist. 3.75"W x 4.5"D x 2.0"H.

For hard cathedral and opalescent glass. Steel wheel, die cast, ball end, 114 degrees.

A synthetic fluid developed specifically for liquid lubricated glass cutters. Rinses off with tap water. Easy to remove from glass, tools, hands and clothing. 4 oz. bottle.

These breaker/groziers are dual purpose pliers used for breaking out scores and grozing flares from the edges of glass. They have one curved jaw and one flat jaw, both with finely serrated edges.

Writes on glass, easily wiped off. Black ink, fine line. For tracing pattern onto glass. Helps accuracy. Water resistant, smear resistant.

Water flushable, gooey flux, won't splash around like the liquid stuff. Excellent for copper foil work. Rinses off easily with water. Very little spattering. Minimum of fumes. 8 ounce plastic jar.

A stiff bristled brush for applying the oleic acid or paste flux to the solder joint prior to soldering. Tubular metal construction is 6" long and 3/8" wide at the bristles.

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While these items aren't necessary, they will enhance your stained glass experience.

A tin-plated copper wire which solders very readily to lead. Use in small loops on your work piece to provide a place for attaching your nylon thread or cord. 2 oz. spool, about 31 feet. 18 gauge.

Copper Sulphate Solution for darkening solder to a copper hue, especially on copper foil work. (Will not work on lead came.) Apply with a brush at room temperature, or heat to 140 degrees F for varying effects. This product will work best on freshly soldered work that is clean of flux. Eight ounce bottle.

This version of the double bladed stencil shears removes a strip of paper approximately 1/32" wide from the pattern, which is all the allowance that is needed when cutting stencils for copper foil work. Stainless steel blades. Imported.

A glass cutting necessity. This tool applies pressure to your glass score to help break your glass with ease. Use the convenient centering mark for perfect breaks.