Anyone starting out in the hobby will wonder why there are so many stained glass tools available on the market today. It is certainly possible to make great looking stained glass windows and suncatchers without buying so many tools, but it won’t necessarily be easy if you’re a beginner. There are many tools that will help you become awesome at this craft without breaking your bank!
Stained glass grinders
Any stained glass professional who makes leaded windows can easily do their job/hobby without the use of a grinder. For most of us, though, who make suncatchers and panels using the copper foil method a grinder is a gift from above! A stained glass grinder is basically a diamond coated cylinder that spins above a flat surface. The edges of individual pieces of glass are run along the grinder bit to smooth the surface down and shape the piece into the exact desired shape.
Fortunately, most artists do not need an expensive grinder with extra functions. An average/decent grinder is all that is really required for this type of stained glass tool. A good stained glass grinder can be purchased for a little more than $80. This cost can easily pay itself off in just a few medium to large sized projects. While hand tools that do the same job are available, a grinder is one of the most important of the many stained glass tools an artist should consider purchasing.
Copper Foiling Tools
Anyone who uses the copper foil method of stained glass has probably realized that for a beginner, the copper foil can be tricky to apply evenly. Fortunately, there are several stained glass tools available to tackle this step of the process. One tool that will make your life easier is the copper foil dispenser. A dispenser can hold many sizes of copper foil. It has a steady base with a hole near the bottom that lets the foil out as you work with it. This helps prevent the foil from twisting up and slowing you down.
Stained glass tools that help the foiling process also include a copper foil aid. The one that I like to use most often mounts to the surface of a table. It holds two types/sizes of foil. The best aspect of this tool is that it has guides that help line any piece of glass up perfectly with the copper foil. Using this device speeds up the foiling process because you don’t have to endlessly worry about centering the glass on the strip of foil!
Getting used to the variety of stained glass tools can be a bit daunting for anyone taking their first stained glass classes. This is because there are plenty of tools that can be used for even the smallest tasks in this hobby. Best of all, many of them have strange names that are hard to remember and don’t give any hints to their purposes at all (everyone have their fids handy?). Here is a quick guide to the most commonly used stained glass tools that every artist should have.
Fid – Usually an odd-shaped piece of hard plastic. Used to fold the copper foil tightly against the glass pieces and to rub out any creases in the foil. Often cost just a few dollars.
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Glass cutter – Basic instruments are shaped like a pencil with a round carbide tip on one end. Used to cut glass into basic and intermediate shapes. Some styles offer improved comfort thanks to innovations in the shape. Most require some sort of oil to lubricate the cutting tip. Wide range of costs.
Grozier pliers - Two handles with a gripping surface on the ‘business’ end. These are used to grip the glass near a cut score while breaking the glass along the score. One of my favorite tools since they increase efficiency while cutting out glass pieces. Should cost about $8 to $10.
Running pliers – Shaped like groziers but usually have a plastic head. These stained glass tools are used to run down difficult scores. They put pressure on the opposite side of the score line. Also cost around $10.
Grinder - Work surface with a spinning diamond coated bit. Used to get the stained glass pieces to the perfect shape desired. While advanced artists might rarely use their grinders, beginners and even intermediate hobbyists can’t live without them. Price is anywhere from $80 to $150 for most types.
There are many other tools, each with a specific purpose. These range from simple shears to cut the copper foil to brushes to spread acid flux when soldering. Soldering irons are, of course, a must have for any artist. If you have any questions about other tools you are unsure about, please leave a comment…
The best way to get your basic stained glass tools is by purchasing a stained glass tool kit. These come with almost everything, and some even have quality soldering irons and grinders! See the auction list above for the best deals!
If you make a considerable amount of stained glass windows, panels, suncatchers or other pieces, then you know by now that the price of some of the supplies can really add up over time. Some of the glass crafter supplies that lend themselves to being purchased wholesale include solder, copper foil, sheet glass, and others. Buying wholesale can really save a great deal of money if you can plan ahead and know what stained glass supplies you will need for 3 to 4 months at a time.
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Solder:
Every roll of solder weighs approximately one pound. For artists who do not make more than one or two pieces per week, a few rolls of solder will likely last a few months. This particular artist would only be spending $15 or less on solder every few months. If a hobbyist makes a panel per day or many larger suncatchers every week, then a few rolls of solder will not last much time at all. Buying bulk can save $50 or more with every order.
Copper Foil:
While copper foil rolls seem small, they actually have a good length of foil in them. Most rolls have 30 to 50 yards of foil. THough this seems like a ton of copper foil, this stained glass supply can be used up quite quickly. Any work of art that is made up of many smaller pieces will gobble through the foil. Remember – copper foil goes around the perimeter of every single piece of glass. Even more, you are pretty much guaranteed to use up a large portion of a roll of foil on any large panel if you use the copper foil method on it. Wholesale copper foil can really be a big money saver!
Sheets of glass:
Sheet glass is the raw material of the stained glass hobby. Small-time artists will likely find themselves with a large collection of glass that has built up over time. I know that I definitely have more glass than I could use in the near future! But, anyone who pumps out tons of stained glass artwork will more likely be in the business of buying bulk and making sure several different windows or panels will be able to use the same sheets.
As you can see, many wholesale stained glass supplies can be purchased to save money over the course of any given year. Specific supplies already mentioned include solder, foil, and glass sheets but some tools also lend themselves to bulk purchases. These include cutter heads, grinder bits, fids, flux paint brushes, and many more. If you make a decent number of stained glass pieces on a regular basis, consider buying your supplies wholesale!
Perhaps the biggest initial investment for the new stained glass hobbyist is a quality stained glass grinder. While a grinder is technically an optional tool for this hobby, having one certainly makes a huge difference in both the amount of time needed to finish a piece and the quality of the final work of art. If the decision has been made to buy a grinder, then choosing the best one for your needs is a good thing to consider.
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The stained glass grinder is used near the middle of the work on a piece of stained glass. After the pattern has been decided and the shapes transferred to the sheets of glass, the glass is cut as accurately as possible. Cutting perfect pieces of stained glass is never easy, even for the intermediate or advanced artists. There are often areas that are too wide or that were cut at an angle that is not perfectly perpendicular.
This is where the grinder comes into play. A stained glass grinder is basically a work surface with a circular spinning bit protruding upwards near one edge. This bit is a diamond coated cylinder that spins very rapidly. The roughly cut pieces of glass are lightly pressed against the spinning edge of the grinder which whizzes off small amounts until the glass piece is an accurate replica of the desired shape.
Choosing a good quality grinder is not very difficult if you consider two main factors. The first and most obvious is the price of the available grinders. Most typical grinders range in price from $80 to $130. There are several types that have extra features that can be purchased for upwards of $500, but these are not necessary for any beginner or intermediate glass artist. If your funds are limited, there are many quality grinders available for less than $100 so you still have many options to choose from.
The second feature to consider is the surface area of your potential stained glass grinder. Typical surface areas are anywhere from 6 x 10 (inches) to 9 x 10 (inches). Some grinders will be smaller and others may have larger surface areas to work on. The amount of surface area comes into play mostly if one is working on panels or suncatchers that have large pieces in it. For most beginners, though, their artwork will likely be made up of smaller pieces of glass so almost any grinder will work.
After you have chosen your price range, you need to decide on a brand. I personally have always used an Inland grinder and it has lasted a decade with no signs of wearing down. Another great brand is Glastar. Between these two companies, you are sure to find a quality grinder you will enjoy for years to come.
Stained glass patterns are the cornerstone of producing good quality stained glass artwork. Being a new stained glass artist can be expensive. After buying a few hundred dollars worth of equipment and glass, glass artists may find themselves with talent, tools, raw material (sheet glass), but no idea of what to make. When just starting out making stained glass, it is hard to know what goes into a good pattern, so drawing your own isn’t always easy. Fortunately, there are many great free stained glass patterns (or very cheap) for beginners available online.
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Stained glass artists typically start out making suncatchers because they can be the easiest patterns to complete successfully. Their free edges usually do not have to fit into any particular shape unlike in stained glass panels and windows. This means small errors in cutting glass and grinding can easily be hidden by just allowing the piece to be a bit bigger on the outer aspects.
Free stained glass patterns are abundantly available in a variety of suncatchers. My first piece ever was a simple parrot in only three colors, but it is still cherished. Your early stained glass works do not have to be complex to be appreciated.
Many great free patterns are available including frogs, flowers, small animals, abstract art, crosses, and art deco. The best patterns to start with have less than 10 or 15 pieces that have easy curves to cut. Look for patterns that do not require any particularly fancy color combinations (reds and pinks are often more expensive because they require gold in the process of making the glass).
Finally, make sure the free stained glass patterns you choose are of images that someone you know will love you for making. Many artists give away their early works. Just because a pattern is free doesn’t mean it is worth making. Remember to always have someone in mind when making stained glass and you’ll always strive to improve the quality of your work!
Stained glass patterns are a vital supply for any artist. Without a quality pattern to base your artwork on, it can be difficult to come up with a panel or suncatcher you’d be proud to put your name on. Fortunately, designs are readily available at great prices online!
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Choosing the best stained glass designs is easy when you know what to look for. The easiest way is to narrow down the options by deciding what topic and style you want to make. For example, you may choose to make a suncatcher with a frog in it. Once you have narrowed your options down in this way, looking for a pattern is much easier.
Glass patterns are available individually or in books. While it is great to buy a one of a kind pattern that is perfect for your needs, it is more economical to find a pattern book. These books are usually centered around a theme. If you were making a stained glass frog suncatcher, consider looking for a pattern book that is of pond animals, or wildlife in general – there’s a good chance it will have a design that’s perfect for your goals!
Custom patterns are another way to get ideas for your stained glass projects. Many artists have learned to make their own patterns, and then decided to offer this service to others at great prices. Before hiring a pattern designer, be sure to look at examples of their work to see if they are capable of designing a stained glass window in the style and level of difficulty you are looking for.
