Posted by Angel on December 03, 2002 at 14:45:27:
In Reply to: soldering foil posted by Diana on December 03, 2002 at 10:43:34:
Diana, there are hundreds of books out there about doing stained glass. Soldering foil is something you stumble across everywhere. You can buy a video from any stained glass supplier or just read the procedures online. NONE of thesm is the BIBLE of soldering but ANY of them will give you ztarting hints.
First off, you need a GOOD soldering Iron. Gary and I don't agree on a lot of things but we both treasure the Hakko 456-Pro soldering Iron. It needs to be used with a temperature controller (rheostat)....especially for beginners. Don't let anybody tell you that good equipment doesn't make a difference in the ease and quality of stained glass work. A really good Iron is vital to soldering. It must generate high heat and HOLD that heat...not all of them do.
If you want to read, with pictures, for free, try the Inlandcraft "how to" online books. Don't be tempted to buy their soldering irons, but the instructions ar pretty generic and useful. You will also learn about different solders and why each is used....and at what temperatures.
http://www.inlandcraft.com/howto/htmain.htm
To answer your prior question, the stained glass you see in Hobby Lobby etc, is all imported trash. Not ALL imported SG is trash....that stuff is and price is one key to the quality. The seams are probably painted. If you know anything about doing glass you'll find a lot of other non-classic construction tchniques in them....like the barely flat seams on the inside...if indeed they HAVE any solder seams on the inside. It's not something you'd want to imitate.
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: I am new at this ant have done one project in silver foil. Now I purchased a lot of copper foil to do some christmas gifts but haveno idea what I use to solder with.
: I could use some advice on soldering foil anyway but have not seen a book available. Do you dolder alont the whole foiled area or just in spots.