Recommended Tools For Stained Glass Making
Favourite Stained Glass Tools & Equipment
My tried and trusted stained glass tools have followed me around for years. We share a history like old friends.
I thought it could be useful to share a few of my favourite tools and – more importantly – why I use them. Just in case you’re missing some and aren’t sure which to choose.
I will say that when I started I had a handful of ancient borrowed stained glass tools. Only once stained glass got into my bones and become an addiction did I start to invest in better equipment. And even then it was a slow process – I didn’t start with the very best tools but got there eventually through trial and error and as my business took off.
I’ve chosen a selection of my most important everyday stained glass tools and some quirky ones that you may not have thought about or heard of.
Just so’s you know, if you click and buy through the links within 24 hrs I get a small % from Amazon (not you!). Thanks in advance but no worries if you have a local store – I’d always support them first 🙂
Glass Cutting Tools
Comfort Grip Supercutter by Toyo
This is the type of cutter I started with 20+ years ago… and I still love it.
Although you don’t need oil to cut glass I prefer it. This Toyo is oil-fed, lightweight, comfortable to use and seems to last forever!
View on Amazon: Comfort Grip Supercutter by Toyo
Strip and Circle Glass Cutter
This simple strip cutter from Glastar is the perfect tool for making boxes and lamps; I use it for any projects that call for multiple identical geometric shapes. It’s accurate and speedy which is precisely what I need for 3-D or geometric projects.
View on Amazon: Strip and Circle Glass Cutter
Studio Pro 3/8″ Breaker / Grozer Pliers
Grozing is my secret weapon! It speeds you up at the cutting stage and saves your grinder head from hours of grinding. These plier handles are spring-loaded which stops you having to open them up after each grozing action. The jaws last longer than other makes I’ve tried and they are very reasonably priced.
View on Amazon: Studio Pro 3/8″ Breaker / Grozer Pliers
Silberschnitt Glass Cut Running Pliers
Funny thing is I’ve been using Studio Pro Running Pliers forever and found them both hard-wearing and accurate.
A few years ago I invested in a pair of Silberschnitt Running Pliers. Well! These pliers are a class above. They take a bit of getting used to but once you’ve cracked it you’ll find them indispensable.
They’re especially useful for cutting curves, even shapes with narrow sections. With the adjustable rubber pad you can tweak the angle of the pliers to suit your cut. Ingenious and very helpful!
View on Amazon: Silberschnitt Glass Cut Running Pliers
Glass Grinding Tools
Inland WizlingCG Grinder
I’m delighted to see that this Inland grinder is available again – they were impossible to get for a good while.
Before I got my Glastar All Star G8 (which I also love) I used one of these for years and years. It’s still going!
I’m adding it to this list because it’s a reliable, solid grinder – at a very reasonable price – that I couldn’t have done without when I first started out.
View on Amazon: Inland Craft WizlingCG Glass Grinder
Grinder Cookie
I was so dubious about this space-ship-shaped ‘thing’ when I first saw it.
I couldn’t see how it would help hold those tiny bits of glass to the grinder head without filing my fingers off…
…but it does, perfectly.
I now use this all the time when grinding small pieces of glass.
View on Amazon: Grinder Cookie
Soldering Tools and Materials
MG Chemicals Lead Free Tip Cleaner
This is a little-known gem. It magically removes that build up of black gunk that occasionally gathers on your iron tip.
I don’t use it instead of a damp sponge, I use it every now and then when the gunk won’t come off with the sponge. A small tip; leave the lid off once you’ve opened it – you won’t get it back on otherwise!
View on Amazon: MG Chemicals Lead Free Tip Cleaner
Hakko Solder Reel Stand
I use this nifty solder holder instead of a third hand! It speeds my seams up and means that my solder is always to hand when I want a small amount on the end of my iron.
It’s really good quality too, which pleases me.
View on Amazon: Hakko 611-2 Dual Solder Reel Stand
Hakko FX-601
I have a range of soldering irons but this is the most versatile one. The temperature dial means that I can easily adjust the temperature to the job in hand.
It’s light, heats up quickly and – most importantly – maintains a consistent temperature for soldering smooth seams.
This is another new(ish) addition to my essential tools and one I wouldn’t be without now.
View on Amazon: Hakko FX 601
A Readers Experience of the Hakko:
I have also upgraded both my glass cutter and soldering iron (both replaced with products recommended by you) and they make the process so much better. The proper tools really do make a difference. I feel that my pieces look better – that could also be due to practice 🙂 – but there’s a lot less frustration with each step.
Hakko FX601-02 soldering iron and the Toyo Supercutter glass cutter both much better quality that what I was using before. Well worth the extra money.
Polly Smith-Blackwell USA in New York State/Chemung County.
Lead Came Tools and Materials
Craftsman Edge Utility Cutter
These angle cutters were a relatively late addition to my ‘essential tools’ list. I use them to cut long tapering angles in lead came.
They don’t squash the came and use less effort than either a knife or nippers because of the razor sharp blade.
View on US Amazon: Craftsman Edge Utility Cutter
I found a very reasonably priced version in the UK Amazon here – the exact ones I have aren’t available anymore but these are tried and tested.
Rutland Stove Polish
This may be a new one for you. I use Rutland stove polish to blacken off my leaded panels. It works better on lead came than black patina and polishes up to a gorgeous shine.
View on Amazon: Rutland Stove Polish
So now you have some of the tools I use to make my creative stained glass work. I’d like to stress one thing though; tools don’t magic up quality and creativity.
My instinctive reaction to questions about the tools I use is typically “it doesn’t matter“. Tiffany Studios didn’t create stunning windows because of their tools. Harry Clarke’s delicate genius wasn’t reliant on the latest gadget. They didn’t have access to HALF the tools we use!
Stained glass tools can make things better and easier but they can also be a distraction. Tools are maybe 5% of the equation at most, the rest is you creating beautiful work.
I too have a fascination for what tools people use so I do understand. My own personal mantra is this; first I work at the skill I want to develop, then and only then do I dive a little into what tools could make it better. Oftentimes I’ll end up using the same tools I started with, even if it’s not seen as the ‘best’ or most luxurious. Like using a simple lead stretcher like this one rather than the more complex (and expensive!) Stanton Stretcher like this one .
More of Milly’s Recommended Tools
Stained Glass Safety
Heavy duty respirator for soldering
If you click and buy through the links within 24 hrs I get a small % from Amazon (not you!). Thanks in advance but no worries if you have a local store – I’d always support them first 🙂
Design and Pattern Prep
31 Weekend Stained Glass Project book
Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures from the Driehaus Collection
Bird Designs Stained Glass Pattern Book
How to design stained glass book
Precision Craft Knife with 5 spare blades
Cutting
Breman Precision Stainless Steel Cork Back Ruler (18″)
Grinding
Assembling
Copper Foil Technique
If you’re right at the beginning of learning stained glass you might want to choose a kit rather than each tool separately. This one is contains solid and reliable tools and materials to get you started: Stained Glass Start-Up Kit
Morton Layout Add Ons 12″ & 3″ for Stained Glass
Studio Pro 1/4″ Copper Foil – 1.25 Mil
Lead Came Technique
Ultimate Lead Upgrade Tool Kit
Professional Weighted Lead Knife for Stained Glass Work
Horseshoe Nails for Stained Glass
Stop Blocks for Lead and Glass
1/2 pint of black Stained Glass Putty
Soldering
Finishing
Copper Foil Technique
Novacan Super Brite Copper Patina For Solder – 8 Oz
Lead Came Technique
Novacan Black Patina For Lead And Solder – 8 Oz
Framing and Hanging
Stainless Steel Open Jump Rings
Selling Stained Glass
A Beginners Guide To Making Money With Art Glass
Etching Glass
Grafix 9 X 12″ Stencil Film, 4-Pack
Rub n Etch Glass Etching Stencils
Just so’s you know, if you click and buy through the links within 24 hrs I get a small % from Amazon (not you!). Thanks in advance but no worries if you have a local store – I’d always support them first 🙂
Go here for more explanations of tools used for the copper foil method
You’ll find the lead came tools discussed here
Will the Stove Polish work on zinc? I’ve found the zinc patina pretty worthless, the lead patina works just as well or better but it still isn’t a really good finish.
I too have arthritic hands now and I’ve found a number of ways to adapt. Pistol grip cutter, grinder’s mate and grinder cookie are some of them. They enable me to continue creating and what’s better?
Thanks for all the great tips!
No, the stove polish is for lead only Erin.
You’re welcome and thanks for your tips for how to get around the problem of arthritic hands. There is NOTHING better than creating 🙂
Verdiğin tüm bilgiler için çok çok çok teşekkürler. Kendimi gelistirmek için harika bilgiler👍
Tüm ücretsiz bilgilere sahip olabilirsiniz! Yardımcı olduğuna sevindim Hatice
Google Translate: You’re welcome to have all the free information! I’m glad it’s helpful Hatice
My all time favorite “go-to” tool is the Silberschnitt running pliers. The way they work for breaking out a curve is great. The padded jaw can be turned all around so you can line up the score from almost any angle, and you don’t have to start at an end to run the score. This tool has helped me break some curves that would probably have been impossible without them (at least for me). They are expensive, but they are also an investment.
Thanks for your additional information and enthusiasm Gail. ‘Expensive’ is relative, isn’t it? If a tool is indispensable and lasts forever, it’s not expensive. If it’s cheap and breaks or doesn’t work, it’s expensive!
Can the stove polish be used on a piece that has already had patina?
The stove polish is for lead came work Helen, so you shouldn’t need to go over the patina, no. Maybe I need to make this clearer on the page, I’ll have a look. Thanks!
Thank you Milly. This is really helpful and I’m sure I’ll refer back to it from time to time. There are things on here I certainly wouldn’t have thought of, and I hope to track some of them down to add to my hint list for Christmas. 🙂 Unfortunately a lot of the links aren’t right. I was offered some very strange things like cots, waterproof mattresses and cookie cutters lol!
Oophs, sorry Alex, where are you based? Most of the visitors to the site are based in North America so the Amazon links try and go there first. If you are outside that area Amazon then redirects to as close a product as they can find – and often that’s not the right thing.
If you let me know which things in particular I can try and help you find them where you live.
Hi Milly ,
I’m glad you mentioned the little ” space ship ” thingy !
I’d wondered if it was worth getting one so its now on my to buy list .
My ” couldn’t do without ” tool is my Pistol grip cutter . My hands are a bit mishapen due to arthritis and I found
this cutter far more comfortable to hold .
I’m still amazed when a curve breaks in the right place , it’s ” so o o” satisfying ! Sad ! Must get out more ! 😂😂
You’re right, the pistol grip cutter is brilliant for those people who can’t easily exert downward pressure Barbara, thanks for mentioning it.
Don’t get out more… only to your workshop! I totally understand that delight when things go right. MUCH better than a night out 🙂
This is wrong page, wanted to click to look at the 20 projects book.
The 20 Weekend Projects book is under the ‘Design and Pattern Prep’ section.
It’s a bit confusing putting everything together in a list – I thought it might be easy to scroll through.
I hope you like the book.
Have you used or heard about the Gemini Saw Co.?
They have the most versatile saws to cut
glass for stain glass making and also to cut stones. Check out their website.
Thanks for the useful recommendation Delsa 🙂 I use the Taurus saw but I know Gemini ones are good too. Here’s my recommendations for saws – perhaps I should add it to this page!