Lead vs Zinc

How is 20" diameter piece installed? In a frame? Hanging on its own, ? (Don't like that one but people do it.) Need more info.

Hal, part of the decision , on my part, would be how the panel is to be installed/displayed. If it is going to be installed in a wood sash, supported around it's diameter, then I'd probably go ahead and use lead. If the panel is going to be hanging from a chain(s), zinc would be the choice. Over the years, the weight of the glass will cause the lead to stretch/deform/ accordion. Think about the el cheapo pool table lamps made out of lead came....they will just basically disintegrate of their own weight after a while.

You can easily bend lead around a circle...you'll likely need a came bender if you use zinc, or brass. Unless you anneal the metal first, and if you do that...you may as well have used lead in the first place.

Overall....my vote goes to zinc....even if you are mounting the panel in a wood frame/sash.

I have a 2'x3' fully plated panel that's been hanging in my bathroom that I made 20 years ago. It's "framed" in 1/2" lead came, with wire hangers soldered into the side (heart) of the came. No problems, nothing has stretched.

20" is NOT that big. Use wantever you want ifmit's a free hanging piece. Just solder the hangers into a seam or solder joint. If installing in wood, always use H lead.

To add to this, I've had zinc bordered panels that have terribly warped hanging in the sun. It's probably more likely in a bigger piece that is hanging from 2 wide points though.

I've had round panels made with lead and framed in zinc begin to stretch over the years. Even zinc is not immune from pulling away. Actually what happens is that the lead begins to give and then the zinc starts to pull away. A 20" round panel can fit nicely in a McNiel round oak frame.

Andy

Really? I didn't know that. Why?

Yeah - that is an interesting reply. What is the reason for using "H" came when installing in a wood frame? Hadn't considered that.

To give a little more information, I didn't plan to use a wood frame. Would be hanging the medallion directly by using rings and chain. However, I planned on using Strongline reinforcement radiating from near the center out to the perimiter. That should not only add strength but also prevent sagging over time. I've used it before on similar pieces, but don't know how long it would last. Thanks for all the input.

Hal

If I may answer for Moonraker..... H being wider will show off a bit more of the glass than U will. Also, H can be trimmed with a lead knife for a perfect fit, in case you can't draw or cut to a perfect circle. How'd I do Moon?

I guess that's as good a reason as any...I just never thought about it before. My reaction to vic's comment was that somehow there was a reason not to put zinc inside wood? For a technical reason, not asthetic.

JK, got it right. In addition zinc is harder to work with then lead. Also when a panel/window is installed in a frame or sash the perimeter of the is supported by the frame, so adding zinc for perimeter strength is simply redundant, and not worth the effort.