Beginner Stained Glass Part 5C - Soldering

[@dorothywoods2541]

Brilliant series of videos! Thank you so much. You’re explanations are so clear and cover all the little details too. Now I feel much better prepared to do stained glass successfully.

[@cdwplw]

You are an excellent teacher! Wish I could take a class from you in person. Texas is just too far away. 🙂

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

Awesome. Beautiful glass. Great instructor

[@me_92other42]

Very good lessons. Thank you for sharing!

[@s.janssen924]

The bubbles are the result of boiling the flux. Try a little less flux or moving the iron a little quicker. If you are too slow with the iron you start to damage the adhesive of the foil and it weakens the joint. If you experience a lot of bubbling, your iron is running too hot or you are moving too slowly. Also, if the iron moves to slowly, it can also actually discolor the glass (voice of experience). It is better to go over the joints several times to get the best bead rather than trying to get it all done in one slow pass. Once you feel you are done and after the solder has cooled down, run your finger over the joints or seams and fix those spots where you feel a sharp spot or an low seam.

[@greatglassgalore]

Yes the bubbles are from the boiling flux. But the first side you solder, most of the bubbles go out the back. When you solder the second side, then you get bubbles that come out that side. I like to use gel flux on the second side, because it has a higher boiling temperature and fewer bubbles. I actually teach them to start slow or even stop the iron to control the bead size. I've been teaching for 27 years and beginners can not always use less flux and move the iron quicker. So they still need to know how to deal with bubbles. I also haven't seen the solder/flux discolor the glass in the 35 years I've been doing stained glass. Could it be your type of flux or solder? I generally use Glastar Flux or Classis 100 Gel Flux and Choice solder. What type of glass do you see this on? I can get the best bead mostly in one pass. This is not common. I teach my beginners to take 2 passes. Then fix any lumps or divits.

[@greatglassgalore]

Wonder if you are seeing the discoloration on Wissmach luminescent glass. The luminescent surface also comes off when fired in a kiln.

[@christinesmith3190]

I may have missed it but how do you clean the little blobs of excess solder from the glass where you've done the L to finish a seam? Do they just pick off? Thanks

[@greatglassgalore]

Just pick them off with your fingers, end of the flux brush, or flat rectangular xacto blade. Do not reheat the globs of solder on the glass. This can cause the glass to break, due to thermal shock.