Home > Other METALS - Solder, Zinc, Copper Foil, Brass and Stuff

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Other METALS - Solder, Zinc, Copper Foil, Brass and Stuff

The two major methods of assembly for stained glass work are with lead (see the "Lead Came" link to the left) or with copper foil. Zinc came is typically used on outer borders to strengthen a copper foiled panel. Brass channeling and banding are for special applications such as in certain lampshades. Reinforcing rods are used to strengthen a window or panel. Tinned copper wire is for decorative accents, or to make loops for hanging. And, of course, solder is the glue, if you will, that holds everything together.

Solder	Zinc Came Zinc for framing. It solders readily to both lead and copper.
Copper Foil Used instead of lead in most lampshade work, and on many other projects. First you wrap the copper foil around the entire perimeter of the glass, where it is held in place by its adhesive backing. After you have wrapped and fitted together several pieces, you run a continuous bead of solder along all of the exposed copper. You then turn the work over and repeat the process on the reverse.	Tinned Copper Wire A tin-plated copper wire that solders very readily to lead and copper foil. Use in small loops on your work piece to provide a place for attaching your chain or hanging cord, or bend it in various shapes to create a decorative accent. Available in #14 and #18 gauge.
Solid Brass Banding and Channel Decorative flexible brass stripping for use in lampshade work as well as boxes, lanterns, trays and other projects where a decorative edging is required.	Reinforcing Bars & Strips Serious reinforcement.
Decra Led Decra Led is an adhesive-backed strip of real lead that you can attach to glass to make it look like a leaded glass window. This stuff is handy for a quick repair, or to fake out your friends who will think you know how to "do" stained glass. (How you manage to make your window multicolored is a whole different issue.)