Solding the Dragonfly lamp?

I'm making a Tiffany (Odyssey) 20" Dragonfly lamp. How to I solder the spaces where the wings overlap? They are too far apart to bridge with solder, and I tried to put foil there, but that became extremely difficult. Any suggestions?

Reply to
AmazonJax
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OK, have you ever seen an Original Tiffany shade? Do you have photos of any? That will help. I will try to explain this best I can, it would be easier to show you. First, if "any" part of the wing is soldered to the background, de-solder it so it is a loose piece, then you center, and level the piece to the background at the midpoint of the wing, from left to right. There should be a small gap, of the wing, above the "body" part, and a small gap above the background at the tip of the wing, the lower the midpoint of the wing(meaning left to right) is at or below level with the background, the less gap you will have. KEEP IN MIND, there is a small piece of the next short wing which will ride up under the long wing, helping to minimize the gap.

When working on Tiffany Repro shades, remember Tiffany's guys did it on Wood molds, wing pieces were "tacked" on until removed from the mold, then soldered on so they fit the best, and the filigree helps minimize the appearance of gap also, as it "curves from higher surface to loser. Study the photos where ever you can find them, there are lots of them at

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Reply to
Javahut

I was just wondering...do you suppose Brady would have had a clue as how to answer the question?

Reply to
Moonraker

Didn't he write a book about this?

Reply to
neoglassic

"I'm making a Tiffany (Odyssey) 20" Dragonfly lamp. How to I solder the spaces where the wings overlap? They are too far apart to bridge with solder, and I tried to put foil there, but that became extremely difficult. Any suggestions?" ========================================================

BRASS or COPPER SHIM STOCK Cut to approximate shape and size to fill in the gap......do not be afraid to PUSH the dimensional aspect of actually raising the tips of the wings about as far as they will go.

it will never be confused or mistaken for an "original" so do it well!

H who has been making (and even selling a few repros) DF's for about 25 years! Count Appx of flies from the sweet little 14" to the big seldom seen 28 swirling one around 125 total shades

h
Reply to
howard

Oh reallllyy? Hmmm. well, maybe not Use the photos and examine things closely.

I have worked on alot of originals, from the 14" to the 22" that have the overlapping wings, and they all had the "balancing act" as I call it, in common. Have seen none with shim stock, but that will work, I just don't like the look of the wings sticking up so high when they don't need to.

Reply to
Javahut

Sorry to sound like a jerk, but you can buy one on TV for about $99 bucks! Almost the cost of the supplies and 100 hours of labor. Now you know why we don't make lamps in America anymore. Sucks doesn't it?

Reply to
Glassman

Well now...aren't you just a little ray of sunshine!! :-)

Andy

Reply to
neoglassic

See, that's my problem, I knew you could help me... I can't sell a $99 lamp to save my soul, the one last week went for $3400. Darn it, I just GOT to start competing with those foreigners.... I got to start asking cheaper prices, but then I better stop using Lins and Genesis glass and start using Spectrum and other double rolls....that's the ticket... can't ask higher prices, might get 'em...

Reply to
Javahut

"See, that's my problem, I knew you could help me... I can't sell a $99 lamp to save my soul, the one last week went for $3400. Darn it, I just GOT to start competing with those foreigners.... I got to start asking cheaper prices, but then I better stop using Lins and Genesis glass and start using Spectrum and other double rolls....that's the ticket... can't ask higher prices, might get 'em..." =============================================

DAMN, me too........ gotta get those exorbitant prices down from $2950 (minimum) for a 14" fly, after all it does take about 25 to 30 hours to make, to just under $10K for a 28" fly.....For me access to UROBORUS and BULLSEYE ( I can hand pick) and a few cases of YOGO STIPPLE cause me to do work that is ALMOST indistinguishable from SPECTRUM, until you actually open your eyes! A real interesting and true happening: My son lives, works and is married in INDIA (PUNE). He has gone the opposite of outsourcing! He was sent out! anyway, I brought a nice pleasant 20" fly to the kids as a wedding present. At the airport I was stopped twice by officials and asked the value of the shade I opined it was a gift and the materials were only around $75.00. One official was astounded that it would be so expensive ($75.00). I cleverly never mentioned the retail/replacement price as there were many hands to put rupees into already due to my carrying a large box, and a $4K gift makes me a "rich American". $1.00 per day is a tolerable rate of pay there in some (not all cases)! Going there for the 4th time in 5 years this November.....going to bring back textiles to sell on eBay and write off the trip.

h
Reply to
howard

WOW good luck to all you lampworkers out there still in business. We started out as lampmakers in the 70's, doing almost 500k a year. You couldn't pay me to make another lamp ever again. I love making a living repairing the cheapies for $50 a broken piece, and $75 for a vase cap. I have 3 or 4 on the bench right now.

Reply to
Glassman

Woosh! I had no idea this would turn into an argument. I have a couple of options to try now. Thank you all for posting.

True, whether you make or buy a lamp, you get a lamp. In my mind, however, it's the difference between creating and comsuming. I'm amazed anyone in the glass craft industry wouldn't understand that. I guess money has to be the focus of everything, even arts. Is it any wonder why the rest of the world hates us?

Reply to
AmazonJax

Oh yeah, they hate us, but they sure love the money don't they? Or are they importing all that slave labor crap here to see it sit on a shelf?

You asked about soldering a lamp, then it turns political? Why?

Reply to
Javahut

You're way off base if you think this is an argument. I was just commenting on the state of the lamp industry from one that goes way back. I complimented the posters that were still selling high end product. Of course there's nothing like making something yourself. Keep in mind that this NG is mostly frequented by pros, which is yet another sad state of things in the SG industry.

Reply to
Glassman

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