How to Use Lead Came Stained Glass in Windows

Here is a quick synopsis on how to use lead came stained glass in windows if you are wanting to utilize the lead came method instead of copper foil.

Long before artisans and hobbyists began using foil when making stained glass windows and ornaments, lead came was the preferred way to create beautiful stained glass designs.

Many artists today still enjoy using this method, and with a little bit of practice, anyone can learn how to use this age-old stained glass technique.

Below is information about using this technique, and the tools and supplies you will need to make your own stained glass windows with came.

Tools You'll Need For Lead Came Stained Glass Making

The following are the basic tools you will need for putting lead came on a stained glass window:

• Lead came (H came for inside edges, U came for around the outer edges)

• Hammer (head has plastic on one side and rubber on the other)

• Horseshoe nails

• Lead knife

• Pliers/wire cutters

• Ruler and triangle, for measuring and squaring framing

• 80-100 watt Soldering iron, 50/50 solder

• Flux and brush or q-tip

Supplies You'll Need For Lead Came Stained Glass

Now that you have all of the tools you need to make your stained glass window, you need the supplies for the window itself. Here is a list of the things you will need for your design:

• Glass window design pieces

• Scissors for cutting out design

• Masking tape to hold design onto glass while tracing out your design

• Flat surface to work on (a board works great to lay project on while working)

• Wet paper towel or cloth for wiping soldering iron clean frequently

• Lead Vise

• Lead Nippers

Lead Came Stained Glass Technique

Make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area. With all of your tools and supplies ready to use, you are all set to start putting your window together.

The first thing you need to do is create the frame. You need to stretch the lead came. Note; if you stretch the came but don’ use it, it begins to oxidize, making it harder to solder.

Take the amount of came you want to do on that day – measure out your lead lines and take 25% of the total. If you want to do more than you planned you can always stretch more came.

To stretch the came, take one end in a lead vise- hold the other end with a pair of pliers and pull. It takes strength and patience to pull, so pull and pull.

If you overstretch the came, it will make it stiffer. This will make harder to insert the glass. The best rule of thumb: if you cut a piece 6’ you can stretch about 3-4 inches.

Remove the came from the vise and clip off about 2 inches on each end with the lead nippers.

Start with the U came, create a frame that will fit around the outer edge your window, according to your window measurements. Secure in place with horseshoe nails.

To cut angles: With the channel side up, place the lead knife at a 45 degree angle and rock the channel back and forth – cut completely through. If this is too difficult you can use the lead nippers.

Take a felt tip marker and mark the angle that you wish to cut. Place the lead nippers on the marked line and cut.

To install a curved area. If it is oval or round, you can apply the came to the entire section. The came is pliable so wrap the came around and hold with horseshoe nails. When the ends meet, cut the edges at an angle for a secure fit.

Now you can start putting in your glass pieces, sliding the border pieces of the design, one at a time, into the lead came edging by tapping the glass gently with the rubber end of the hammer.

After you place each piece, add a piece of lead came and secure in place. You can do this by covering the exposed edge of the glass with a piece of scrap came, and with your hammer, insert a horseshoe nail into the outer end of the scrap came.

Once you have completed the design, it is time to begin soldering your lead came stained glass piece. First of all, you need to put flux on the areas you plan to solder. This is necessary because solder will not stick to your lead came without it.

When your soldering iron has heated to the point where a test piece of solder melts easily, it is ready to use. Solder every joint in your design. Make sure your solder lines flow, and do not bead, so you have a smooth, flat, attractive finish.

Once you have finished soldering the joints on the front, you need to do the other side. Turn your piece over, and repeat the soldering process on each joint of the back of your window.

After you have completed the soldering, you can begin the puttying process, and then, your stained glass window will be ready for displaying.

Note that we’ve written a tutorial on lead came stained glass:

Lead Came process - start there!

Find the right lead came tools for your projects.

Learn some tips on lead came assembly! Get the lead came design you want as you work through your projects.

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