Ease and Efficiency of Copper Tape

• You can be creative and make your own designs.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Copper foil tape is lighter, stronger and easier to apply than lead. No putty is needed and the seal is waterproof. This method allows delicate and intricate piecing. Designs can be original or copies of commercial works, whichever the crafter chooses.
  
  

The Seams

• The soldering iron gives the final touch.Dynamic Graphics Group/Dynamic Graphics Group/Getty Images
  
  Copper foil tape comes in a variety of widths and lengths, packaged in a coil. It is copper on one side and adhesive on the other, with a peal-away paper backing. The tape must be wide enough so that when you create your design, the tape overlays both edges of the glass at the seam where the pieces of glass join. The solder will only stick to the copper tape. The seams are taped on the front and back of the glass. When all the pieces have been taped and soldered together on both sides, the perimeter of the glass should be taped and soldered, unless it is to be framed.
  
  

Projects Can Be Intricate or Simple

• Working with glass requires a number of tools designed for the process. The crafter must first have two copies of a design drawn on oak tag or cardstock. One design should be cut into the pieces to use as a pattern for the colored glass. A glass marking pen, breaking pliers, a glass cutter and bit girder work well for shaping the glass pieces to fit the pattern. Safety glasses should be worn when working with glass and solder. Measuring instruments and straight edges are also necessary. Copper foil tape, a burnishing tool, flux and brush, solder and a soldering gun are needed to solder the glass together. A bench brush helps to keep glass shavings cleared from the work table or board. Push pins or clamps hold the glass in place after it is taped and ready to be soldered. You may wish to purchase other specialty items for working with glass, tape and solder.
  
  

Summary of Steps for an Art Glass Project

• Art glass projects are fun and satisfying.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  The process requires a number of steps. Each piece of cut glass is laid into the design pattern and is affixed with pins or clamps to prevent slipping. The glass pieces are taped with copper foil tape. The copper tape is foil on one side and adhesive on the other. The foil side of the tape is then burnished, meaning that it is rubbed with a hard plastic or wooden tool to force out all air bubbles, making a smooth finish for the solder and preventing flux from getting under the tape. Each seam is then painted with flux. If the finished piece is large, flux should be applied only to one section at a time and then soldered, in order to avoid oxidized foil. The glass pieces can be soldered with a thin layer of solder to hold them in place. Beading will follow to give the seams a consistent rounded seam. Beading is a solid, thick stream of solder that flows along the tape. The solder will cool quickly. However, the soldering iron is very hot and will need time to cool. When one side of the glass art is completed turn it over, then apply flux and solder to that side. The final art glass piece is cleaned with mild soap and water and a sponge. A cotton cloth is used to buff the glass and solder to a shine.