Essential Stain Glass Tools For Copper Foil Method
There are stained glass tools for everything you could possibly want to create, but what do you really need?
Here’s a short explanatory video for those who want to know the answer:
Essential stained glass tools for the copper foil technique
To help you get your stained glass equipment up together, the list below contains all the specialised tools you’ll need for making stained glass. My favourite tools – and why I use them – are here: Recommended Tools .
General Stained Glass Tools |
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Rapid Resizer Pattern SoftwareStained glass software can help your speed and accuracy with designs and patterns. My preferred choice is Rapid Resizer online and I have a review of it here.
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Stained Glass KitsYou might choose to buy a ready-made kit instead of selecting the tools individually. Make it easy for yourself and compare deals on a range of kits here. Make sure you get the best bundle of equipment and don’t pay for things you don’t actually need. There are separate kits for the Copper Foil and Lead Came Construction techniques. |
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Stained Glass Sheets C & LThere’s a stunning range of coloured and textured sheet glass to make your artwork completely unique. Find out all about the different types of stained glass sheets, what they’re best used for and who supplies them. Includes fusible, opal and cathedral sheets. With two videos – one on the different types of glass and one on how best to cut art glass to maximise the grain direction. |
Specialised Stained Glass Tools |
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Stained Glass GrinderCut down on waste and achieve precision fits with a grinder that matches your particular needs. Read reviews of different grinders and find out which one comes out top for value and quality. Grinders are verging on the essential for the copper foil technique. |
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Pattern ShearsThese special shears have a triple blade that miraculously removes a tiny slither of paper when cutting pattern template pieces. This allows space for the heart of the copper foil and solder and makes sure that you don’t cut your stained glass too big. Some shears are made for both lead and foil, some just for lead and some just for copper foil. Make sure you get the right ones for your project. |
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Glass CutterEnjoy cutting stained glass and reduce breakage by choosing the stained glass cutter that suits you best. Includes a very helpful video showing all the different types of cutters available. |
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Stained Glass PliersLearn all about the different types of stained glass pliers essential for stained glass making, and how to use them for breaking and grozing glass. |
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Stained Glass Soldering IronsSelect the right soldering iron and solder neatly and comfortably. Find out about which wattage you need and the best type of tips to use. Includes amazing stained glass soldering video. |
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FluxMake solder flow easily and neatly by using flux. There are many different types but all do an adequate job. Flux removers aren’t essential. |
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Stained Glass SolderSolder is used to join all your bits of glass together – either on each of the lead joins or along the copper foil seams. There’s lead-free solder and solder with a different ratio of tin/lead solder for leaded (50/50) and copper foiling (60/40) projects. |
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PatinaThis is painted on the solder to change the colour from silver to either copper, brass or black, depending on which colour patina you buy. Make sure you clean your copper foil panel before applying. |
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Copper Foil TapeThis is a roll of thin sheet copper that comes in a roll with a sticky back. It is stuck around the edges of your glass pieces so that the solder has something to stick to. It’s available in 1/8” (3mm) to ½” (13mm) widths. |
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Stained Glass Soldering BoardsSuggestions for the best boards for soldering stained glass that are heat resistant. Homasote board accepts push pins easily. A very useful addition to your kit! |
Additional Optional Equipment |
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Ring SawsDo you actually need a ring saw? Decide after you’ve read about the 5 things ring saws do well. You might find it’s the perfect tool for you or you might discover that it doesn’t help you make stained glass. |
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DrillsAdd unique detail to your art work by engraving and drilling glass. You don’t need lots of expensive kit to drill holes. Find out which drill is best for you and how to use your grinder for drilling holes. |
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Glass Bottle CutterTransform your used bottles into goblets, bowls or candle holders with this popular and well-reviewed bottle cutter. Detailed instructions on how to cut bottles successfully. |
Non-Specialist Tools Needed |
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I’ve compiled 5 Cost Savings Tips here for you – so you can spend more money on beautiful glass 🙂
Designing EquipmentPencils, pastels, paints – anything you can make marks with to start you off! – ruler, drawing paper, pattern card, drawing square for the right angles and masking tape. Cutting Tools
Assembling and Soldering Tools
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Stained Glass Tools Suppliers
All of the above tools and materials are available from Amazon. Their prices are good, they’re reliable and they don’t make a fuss about returns.
Have a browse and see what’s available but if you stick to the above list of essentials, you can be sure you won’t be buying items you don’t really need.
Everything Stained Glass receives a small % from Amazon (not you!) for any tools and supplies bought if you click through from this site. We never recommend any products we don’t rate highly. I hope you find our review and information service helpful.
Helpful Resources
There’s a little bit more information explaining how to use each tool needed for stained glass kits here that you might find useful. Once you know about each of the tools, what they’re for and how to use them, you’re ready to start making.
You can learn how to make stained glass from my free tutorials. They take each process at a time and are packed with annotated photos and videos. I hope you find them helpful.
Fun Stained Glass Gifts
The apron is supplied, printed and shipped by Californian-based company Zazzle.com. It is easy to order the apron online through Zazzle’s website and – according to review sites – they fulfil the order promptly and efficiently.
Zazzle has outlets internationally. I dealt with Zazzle UK and was happy with the service and the product. My good experience is backed up by other people’s reviews on the Internet.
- Original design by Milly Frances
- Mugs are dishwasher & microwave safe
- Aprons come in alternative sizes
- Available internationally, see below
Stained Glass Gifts |
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Stained Glass MugsOnce the addiction to stained glass takes hold it colours everything we do, literally! I designed this celebratory mug so that we stained glass addicts can explain our happy predicament to the world. |
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Stained Glass ApronsLots of glass artists have told me this image sums up their life! Does it have the same effect on you? |
I bought a Thomas grip Toyo cutter. It doesn’t have spring in the tip like all my other cutters. Defective tool? doesn’t seem to release any oil.
It should have a spring Judy, I’d question that particular cutter. Sorry you’ve had trouble, it’s very rare with Toyos.
Hi
I am looking for adhesive lead stripping for application onto existing window for Stained Glass effect, can you advise please?
Regards Mrs Vine
I’m sorry I don’t deal with adhesive lead strips, I use lead came. A regular glazier will be able to help you.
Milly
I had a very bad experience with the Hakko 601 solding iron. Do you recommend any higher quality solding irons?
Thank you Milly
Also I wanted to praise you on your teaching methods. Everything you teach is thorough and very easy to follow along, especially for this novice.
Thanks
Joey – Brandon Florida
I’m so sorry this happened to you Joey. Not only myself but many of my colleagues use this iron and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. I can only think you had an unfortunate outlier. I would return it asap.
Before I purchased my Hakko I had a Weller100 which I found perfectly adequate. Sometimes you do get cold spots with them – that’s my only complaint. Good luck with your next iron.
And thank you for your kind words about my teaching, that’s nice 🙂
Soy un estudiaste de las vidrieras y todo lo que tenga que ver con el vidrio.
Gracias por una página tan estupenda y completa.
I am a student of stained glass and everything that has to do with glass.
Thank you for such a wonderful and complete page.
Thank you Blas Moriana, that’s kind of you to say so. It makes me happy 🙂
Gracias Blas Moriana, es muy amable de tu parte decirlo. Me hace feliz 🙂
Love your site! I refer you your advice frequently!
To that end, what type of whetstone would be best for smoothing glass edges? How coarse of fine should it be? Thanks and regard.
I use a standard carborundum stone Ellen. Medium grit is fine – too coarse and it will chip the glass. Wet it before using.
I am trying to find replacements for my breaker pliers. Any suggestions where to find? I get my supplies from Warner Art Glass, in PA and have for many years. They have been out of stock for quite sometime. Hope that you can help.
Thank you,
Sally
Franklin Art Glass are a very reputable supplier Sally – http://www.franklinartglass.com. I hope they can help you.
I’m trying to find an answer to the question: Does the techniglass grinder straight edge attachment fit an Inland grinder grid? I cannot find an answer anywhere. No recommendation requested, just, does it fit the Inland grid?
Thank you, Anne
I don’t have the Grinder so don’t know the answer either Anne, sorry. But just looking at the photos I would say ‘no’ as the Grinder has hexagonal holes, the Inland square. You could write to Techniglass?
Milly, do you have any recommendations for a light board/pad? I’m looking to upgrade mine and am confused by the HUGE variation in prices ($10-$100+). It seems they all simply light up.
Do you know what, I don’t Mandy, sorry. I have 2 light boxes that I’ve had for years so haven’t needed to invest in these. I should though! Anyone else have any recommendations?
I have a question. My stained glass windows in my kitchen cabinets are beginning to come apart from the wooden frame. Is there a putty or something I can use to adhere the glass to the wood? The glass is still intact, just coming away from the wood. It looks like the putty has lost its function. Thank you for your help!
Here’s my page on cementing Joyce, it might help you: https://everythingstainedglass.com/how-to-stain-glass
What’s the standard size of each piece of work or is that up me.
Loving the info and I’m so looking forward to starting and hoping that maybe I could make this a small business for me once I have developed the skills.
Jason
That sounds a great idea Jason. People love stained glass, it’s finding the market that’s a bit tricky. You’ve got to go for these things though! With regards to size, it’s totally up to you, yes. If you start making larger pieces you’ll have to factor in reinforcement but that isn’t an issue with smaller pieces.
What can I use while soldering to position pieces so both hands are free. Also recommendation for somewhat flexible gloves for holding hot glass pieces.
You can pin the pieces to the board if you’re using something ‘pinnable’ like homasote board. Alternatively for smaller irregularly shaped pieces you can tape them together in a few choice places before tack soldering. Then remove the tape for your soldering beads.
For larger pieces you have a jig that holds them in place.
Gardening gloves are usually sufficient for holding glass – they’re not heat proof but they do give you enough protection while soldering.
I hope that helps.
Gloves are essential to, if you don’t want to cut yourself…
Good point! There’s an argument that gloves can make you more clumsy when cutting glass which increases risk… which was why I deliberated over them as ‘essential’. It’s a personal choice, that one.
Ms Milly..I am wanting to teach a basic stained glass class..I was asked to do so… I dont recall using came when I did it years ago. Do you have to use it?
That’s nice to be asked Rebekah! No, you don’t have to use lead came. You can just use copper foil, and frame in wood if it’s big enough to need a frame. Or leave unframed for smaller pieces (although it’s hard to get them to look nice without a frame of some sort). My free copper foil tutorials are on this page if you’d like to use them as a resource for your student. Good luck!
Chuffed to see a bit of my work featured in your section on Stained Glass Sheets. I still have it hanging in my shed, and now Ive got quite a few more pieces stored there since it was made.
In your shed?! You need to get that out and about for people to admire. It’s gorgeous. Sorry I can’t put a credit on the thumbnail – it’s too tiny. But, everyone; Pete Hammond made that lovely piece, Number 1 above 🙂