Replies

1. 
   ring | Jan 09, 2010 01:02pm | #1

   It's not clear to me what
   It's not clear to me what part of the project you are concerned about.

1. 
   benchbolt | Jan 09, 2010 01:12pm | #2

   David, Guess I should have added that I was considering constructing the glass panes for the doors

1. 
   jvk | Jan 09, 2010 01:20pm | #3

   My wife does stained glass. As w/ any hobby you need the tools and equipment to do it. Unless you plan on it becoming a regular hobby you can have it done better and cheaper by someone before you beat the learning curve.

2. 
   popawheelie | Jan 09, 2010 03:36pm | #4

   I just bought a front door with leaded glass in it.

   I think they are coming from China. That is the leaded glass panels. The door company just puts them in their doors.

   I'm not sure if you can find standard sized ones or not.

   But it would be worth a look.

3. 
   jem777 | Mar 10, 2010 02:17am | #5

   Turning it to stained glass will make it look more beautiful!

   ny auto glass

4. 
   Quickstep | Mar 10, 2010 10:20am | #6

   I did stained glass work years ago. You'll need a good glass cutter and a soldering iron with the necessary wattage. Neither are big ticket items. If you're doing patterns of squares, rectangles or triangles, cutting is realitvely easy. A straightedge and glass cutter will get the job done. Curves require a bit more skill, but a little practice and you'll be off to the races. Soldering the lead channel (called came) requires a little "touch". If you take the iron off too soon, the solder won't flow; too long and you melt the lead which generally ruins the joint. There are other tecniques like copper tape which let you vary the width of the joint and make more detailed patterns the way tiffany did. If you have a stained glass supply nearby they will likely provide plenty of help. I say go for it. It sounds like your willing attitude will make you succeed. Even if you just break even on the costs, you have the satisfaction of having learned it and doing it yourself. It's hard to make anything ugly out of stained glass.

5. 
   nazard | Mar 10, 2010 12:50pm | #7

   My house has leaded glass windows and doors so I have done some repair work over the years.  It takes correct tools/supplies, common sense, and a steady hand.  Check out the instructions for making leaded glass panels in this month's FWW.

6. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 10, 2010 09:05pm | #8

   Just me so...

   .... just wondering if it's worth the time... YES it is! I did not add your comment on money. Working with glass is fun!

   Last month, I made a 12 inch by 36 inch colored glass 'window'. Not curved cut glass, only different sized rectangles.

   I used copper 'U' channels and the NO LEAD plumbers solder. Turned out well, but I have no idea if it will last a few hundred years as real lead will... I mounted my glass in a slot and used them little rubber balls used for holding cabinet panels.

   I would think that small dabs of silicone calk would hold everything in place. If you do not get carried away with the amount of silicone used things should 'give' with wood movement and still hold the glass in place. (I think)...

   I 'think' I got my copper 'U''s from

   http://www.warner-criv.com/product.aspx?id=1870-22  Not sure, I forget... Anyway, if you get the copper on whatever 'close to size' you can make a wooden roller with a shape to 'roll out' the copper to your glass thickness. Some practice is needed..  #!@###@! untill you get it right...

7. 
   gpssam | Mar 11, 2010 11:34am | #9

   Go for it. If you have the ability to learn to make the cabinet, you have the ability to learn to do the glass work.

   I have done a little lead came work it gives you the ability to add another design element to your projects. For the impact that it can have on a finished piece, glass work is time well spent.

8. 
   daverichards | Mar 11, 2010 11:57am | #10

   Any chance you've seen page 88 of the current issue of Fine Woodworking? I would imagine it would answer a lot of your questions.

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=33291