Foiling - just around the edges of two panes of glass

I don't know if copper foil alone will be strong enough. Since they are 4 x 6 what are they going to be used for? I take it they are not jewelry or wall hangings. Why are you putting a decal between two pieces of glass? Can't you just adhere the decal to one piece of glass? That way you wouldn't have the weight of two pieces of glass trying to pull apart.

Thanks Connie!

I did some more thinking last night. The reason I'm sandwiching the image between two panes of glass is because it's printed on a window cling (or a decal) with a color jet printer. I could go with a single pane of glass, but that would leave the image open to scratching - even if I spray acrylic spray or fixer over the image before adhering it to the glass. Using two panes of glass eliminates the problem.

I've read about came, and a U-shaped piece with a 1/4" channel looks like it might work. I'm assuming it comes in lead-free varieties. Have you used came? Would this work for my purpose? How would I adhere it to the glass?

Thank you again for your help!

Hi Mary, Well, there is lead, zinc and brass came. Lead is the easiest to cut. All of them require some soldiering.

Mary.....I guess I'm wondering how you would even get the glass cut to 4x6 size, given that you apparently have no idea how to foil, cut came, or solder. Your local stained glass retailer could do for you in a few hours what you will spend days, if not weeks doing. Why not take the project in and let someone who has knowledge of the craft do it for you?

From your sketchy description, you need to be looking at a rigid type metal frame, either zinc or brass. Use a 1/8" U shape, it will hold 2 pcs of single strength glass (Picture frame thickness glass). If you do it right, you will only have one solder joint on each frame, and you can tack solder the two frames together at the angle where they will stand upright by themselves. Foil won't hold up to handling, and lead is too soft. You don't adhere the came to the glass, it floats in the "U" and you solder the came together to make a frame. You can patina the zinc or brass after assembly. Ask your retailer.....

I cut glass, though I have no experience with foiling or cutting came. I do solder, but only diodes and transistors and such. I don't think someone has to know how to foil or cut came to be able to either cut glass themselves or buy it already cut to size.

That you can cut glass and solder diodes are facts that just overwhelm me with awe. What an awesome skill set!!

Let's see........when I set out to teach myself how to make jewelry, soldering electrical components and stringing beads were the entire set of skills I brought with me. Within 2 years I was making a living at it, and supporting my 2 children! When I decided to add glass to the mix, I didn't even know how to cut it. I think Tink has the skills she needs--the ability to learn, the desire to create and the guts to just go for it. Barbara Dream Master

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~~ Albert Camus

If she does nothing else, her flameworking skills should serve her well. I have one of her pieces in my collection.

LOL stained glass crafters are not the only people who know how to cut glass... it's not like the only use for glass is to make leaded windows and trinkets!

She has a relatively simple project, with a little guidance and some basic supplies she can easily do it herself. Perhaps not in the exact way she was envisioning, but hey, that's where the guidance comes in.

Mary, it does sound like your project is going to call for learning to cut and solder zinc or brass came if you want it to be durable, or an alternative would be to use thin glass and put the whole shebang in a wood frame.

Not to mention being a major talent in multiple fields, writing books and just generally being a capable person.