Posted by Angel on January 24, 2003 at 09:17:52:
In Reply to: Replacing a Cracked Piece of glass........ posted by Chris on January 23, 2003 at 00:14:32:
Chris, hop ovewr to Dale Grundon's website to find a marvelous method for replacing cracked glass. It's photo illustrated and easy to follow. Just choose "how to papers" from the menu and Repairing cracked glass in the next menu. It's a great pdf file with everything you need to do this easily. downloadable and printable.
You got bad advice about "piling on" solder when you took that class. Strength in panels and lamps comes not from the thickness of solder, but from the solder that flows between the pieces and over to the edge-lapping foil. This builds a CAME network that holds everything together. Of course, you want a high bead to look nice, but that can be achieved with a first, flat soldering of 50/50 on the front side. 50/50 flows easily and melts at a higher temp which will seal gaps flows between the pieces and prevent any follow up passes from melting through. Follow this by soldering the back with 60/40 then do yhe front with a nice raised bead of 60/40....smooth, not PIIED on. :)