STAINED GLASS STUFF
911 Richmond Rd., Ottawa, ON, K2A 0G8
tel: (613) 722-8702, fax: (613) 722-7062
email: info@stainedglassstuff.com

Framing

  1. Once both sides are soldered to within 1/4" of the edge, wash the piece off with warm water and some Neutra 5000. Pat dry on clean towels.
  2. For square or rectangular pieces, use zinc came, and for circular or oval pieces, use U shaped lead came.
  3. When using zinc came, take two lengths of the appropriate sized came, and insert the panel into the came along the long side. Measure the gap between the short side, and cut the zinc with a hacksaw. File any burrs off the edges. Place the short lengths on the panel, and then measure the long lengths so they will make a perfect square frame. Cut and file down, and the re-attach.
  4. Solder the corner joints first, then solder each solder seam that intersects with the frame to the zinc came. You will need to press your soldering iron down onto the zinc came for a second, to heat the zinc up so it will accept the solder.
  5. Fill in the bottom gaps in the zinc came with 50/50 solder, then top it off with 60/40 for a nice finish.
  6. Cut off lengths of wire and make loops for the hooks for hanging it. Insert the legs of the wire loops in the gap on the top side of the zinc came frame, center, and solder into place. Fill in the rest of the gap the same way you did the bottom gaps.
  7. If you are using lead U came, first stretch it with a lead came vise. Cut off the end bits that were scored in stretching, and move it carefully to a long table. Insert your panel into the lead U came at one end, and try to have a solder seam line up with the end of the came. This way, when you solder that seam to the frame, you can hide the outer solder joint more effectively. Slowly roll your panel along the length of the U came, picking it up as you go. When you have gone all the way around, continue just a bit further, so your starting point of came makes a small imprint in the U came. Cut off the came at the imprint with a pair of lead knippers, flat side towards the part you want to keep. If the lead came does not slide into place, knip off just a tiny bit more. Repeat until it does fit perfectly.
  8. Solder each solder seam line to the lead came frame, on both sides of the panel.
  9. Take some wire and cut off small lengths to make loops for hooks. Solder the legs of the hooks to the back side of your panel. Try to have them line up on a solder seam, so you can bury the wire legs in the solder seam. This will give extra strength to the hooks. Also try to have them at equal positions on the frame, so it will hang evenly.
  10. Wash off your piece with Neutra 5000 and pat dry with clean towels again.