Below are 12 tips which give you information that can set your work in motion, buying tips and short user description. These things are easily available at the shops.
1. Cutter Oil filled cutter. You should be careful to buy the one with a reservoir of oil because it automatically lubricates the tugsten carbide wheel when you make your scoreline. This helps you avoid dipping it in oil every time. The pen shaped cutter may pose problems for you so get the pistolgrip cutter because in this you will not require to use too much force.
2. Grozing Plyers This is a tool that is specific to stained glass.This is used for breaking difficult cuts the glass and making the edges smooth. Leading
3. Lead knife This is used for cutting the 6 ft lengths of lead accurately. You need it and also keep it sharp.
4. All Nova Tool or Fid. The cheapest tool in the stained glass kit and is very useful also. it is used to open the lead cames before leading. and you can close them also with this afterwards.
5. Lead Vice. Before stretching the lead cames they can be trapped in the doors but if you invest in lead vice it will be easier for you and your partner. What it does is that it grips one end of lead as you tug the other end with pliers.
6. Horse Shoe Nails. These are used by blacksmiths for banging them into the horse's hoofs. We use it for holding all those irritating bits of lead that keep coming up while we are doing leading up. The only way to get them is to steal it from a blacksmith!
7. Tallow Candles. Made of animal fat they are used as flux for the solder. It has to be rubbed at each joint of the lead before soldering. Imagine roast beef! 100 Watt Soldering Iron. It is better to buy soldering iron with thermostat as it does not melt as you solder the carefully cut lead. The students of mine have tried 200 watt soldering iron also but what was found better of the two is the 100 watt one because you can handle it more easilyand it has enough power to serve your purpose.
8. Grade C Solder. It is essential to have a solder that is 60% lead and 40% tin to get the best results. The area where you are working should be well ventilated while you solder the products as it could be dangerous otherwise. Cementing and Polishing
9. Leaded Light Cement. Actually this is not a must as it can be replaced by standard putty, white spirit and black powder paint which is much cheaper. But it is a matter of what is neater of the two. You may not like such messy work of mixing things.
10. Whitening. This has to be just sprinkled over your panel and brushed off. It clears all the mess created by the cement. It requires muscles.
11. Black Grate Polish. This is used for shining the end product. Now you can sit back and admire your creation.
I must say I have cheated. It will be great if you are able to spot the two important items missing from this comprehensive list of stained glass kit. Glass and lead. But that is all in fun and for you to really enjoy – looking with wide eyes all the different types of glass, the terrific textures and colors and dreaming of all the creativity that lies ahead of you!