Tools for the beginner stained glass enthusiast
by
As with any new craft, this one will require some tools. Here is a list of basic tools you’ll need:
- Safety Glasses - Always protect your eyes!
- Glass cutter - We’ll talk on this more later.
- Running Pliers - Running Pliers place pressure evenly on a score line to start and then to run a break in your glass.
- Grozing/Breaking Pliers - dual purpose pliers with a flat jaw and a curved jaw. Both jaws are serrated for removing flares and tiny points of glass
- Fine point black Sharpie - For marking your pattern and for marking your glass.
- Cork backed ruler - the cork will help keep it from sliding around on your glass
- Glass cutter oil - Don’t overfill your cutter. They have a tendency to leak and the more you have in your cutter, the more you have to leak.
- Bench brush - the clean your workspace.
- Glass - The choices are astounding.
- Pattern - Start with something easy. There are lots of free patterns out there.
Nice to haves:
- Waffle Grid cutting matt - this is a nice hard surface to cut on but it won’t scratch your glass. Small glass fragments fall into the grid and you can easily pick it up and tip it into the garbage. This is very handy!
- Glass grinder - One of these will make your life so much easier but proper cutting can help you avoid the need to have one. Less important with lead than with copper foil as lead does not require you to be quite as precise. Use this tool with the curved side down.
Please keep in mind that I am no expert. I’m learning and I’m taking you along for the journey.
Next post I’ll talk about the various types of cutters. Stay tuned!
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February 27th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Before you set out on your project you must make sure that you have the proper tools. If you don’t, your project will not turn out as well as it could have. Take the advice above and you should have no problems at all.
March 14th, 2009 at 7:48 am
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May 13th, 2009 at 2:23 am
wow I would love to be able to do something like that