LEAD, Solder, Zinc, Copper Foil, Brass and Stuff

The two major methods of assembly for stained glass work use lead or use copper foil. Zinc came is a method that is not used very often. Brass channeling and banding are for special applications, as are reinforcing rods.

Lead came is ideally suited for window work, panels, simple window ornaments and the like. It covers ragged glass edges well. It results in a very neat silhouette. It uses a minimum of solder. It allows for waterproofing (or "cementing") because the channels are always wider than most of the glass. On the minus side, it requires reinforcing when used in large panels, and it gets your hands dirty. Incidentally, the word "came" derives from the latin "calmus", or leaf. But enough of that.

Copper foil is used in all except the most simple lampshades, small panels, boxes, window ornaments and the like. It produces a very rigid frame because the foil is entirely coated with solder, which is 60% tin. See the copper foil section for a further discussion.

Zinc came is used where the utmost rigidity is required. It must be cut with a hack saw, and is not very easy to bend. Brass channeling is used mostly for edging in bent panel shades, as an edging for mirrors or small panels and in jewel box lids. Brass banding has a multitude of uses.