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Soldering in the Copper Foil Method
When working with copper foil, you will solder all of the visible pieces of copper, so that when you have finished, none of the foil will be visible.
I brush the flux onto all of the metal on the workpiece which is showing. After I apply the flux, I let the iron heat up, and then I unroll a piece of solder and move the tip of the iron and the end of the piece of solder continuously along each seam where the wrapped pieces of glass touch each other. I also solder all of the edges of the outside pieces, as far as I can reach. When I have completed all of the soldering, I unplug the iron for a short time while the work is cooling (beware of picking it up right away, it will be hot!). After a few minutes the heat will have dissipated enough so that I can pull the nails, pick up the piece (which will now hold together) and turn it over. I then place it on the workbench and solder the reverse side. Nails are no longer needed to hold the pieces in place, because it is a complete assembly.
I then let the work cool, and wash it with warm water and a detergent to remove the flux which is usually smeared over the glass. I use a commercial glass cleaner to give it a final polish.
I usually use a chemical patina to darken the solder after I have cleaned the work. SEE "CHEMICALS, CONSUMABLES & NOTIONS".
Glazing Stained Glass << Previous Next >> Cementing Stained Glass
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