Are Michaels Stained Glass Kits Worth it? Let's put one together and see!
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- I was intrigued by these stained glass kits I saw at Michaels craft stores under the MAKE Market brand. There are many design availbel for $30 www.michaels.c... *They have gone on sale for 50% off in the past FYI
**This is NOT a tutorial, I am putting this kit together as a novice wit little experience to see how beginner friendly it is.
***Please follow safety precautions and d not take this video as staind glass best practises or advise. Find a good teacher LOL!
In attition to the supplies in the kit you will need a soldering iron, thumbtacks, pliers, a clamp and a peice of foamcore or cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil.
The glass peices in the kit were all cut and intack, Ni sanding was required although it does come with a sanding stick if you need to. I used the glass, foal tape, solder and flux in the kit but my flux I had already worked better that what was provided.
This kit took me about 3 hours to put together. It was frustrating at times but I think the trouble I had was from my poorly kept sodering iron and not the contets of the kit. I might buy another one when they go on sale (and a new soldering tip) and try it again. Lookig at it hanging in the window I don't see my sloppy soldering. I think the kit was worth it. At least you can see if this craft is for you before spending a lot of money and it takes the glass cutting out of the equations for beginners with is helpfiul. Have you tried these kits? What do you think. I hope you enjoyed this review of the MAKE market stained glass kits from Michaels. Happy crafting!
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Thank you for showing us your perseverance! If the soldering wasn’t perfect, your “never give up attitude” was -- ! It’s a good example for all of us! Thanks!
Aww, thank you!
This reminds me of my electronics class instructor making us repeat after her: Apply heat, apply solder, remove solder, remove heat! It's been 25 years and I can still hear her! Not sure if it applies to stained glass windows, though.
It applies.
I LOVED this video. Thank you for posting an imperfect video where you clearly have to struggle, learn, and persevere!! ❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
A soldering iron with a bigger tip would heat up better and make it a lot easier. I would use that iron for fine work in jewelry. I don't leave gaps between wrapped pieces and the solder still does flow through. But nice tutorial and review. You've inspired me to pause my glass fusing and do a stained glass project.
I agree. I think a bigger tip would be better. Not sure about the flux but I prefer using a gel flux. Ren, I would love to get into glass fusing.
Good tip!
@@trudysmith2271 Fusing is a lot of fun but can give very unpredictable results. And expensive to get into.
Beautiful kit. I have made large stained glass panels in the past. I have used both a liquid flux and paste flux and prefer using the liquid. And flux as I come to each part. Also, there are soldering irons made specifically for stained glass. I have had several and they were flat tipped similar to what a flat head screw looks and heat to a higher temp than a regular solder iron. I have never put a gap in between my pieces. That you for all you do to encourage us in our art endeavors.
Interesting. Most people care saying don't leave a gap. I wonder if I read the instructions wrong. I kinda want to buy another kit and try again with viewers advice!
60/40 solder was always my favorite….melts and stays liquid long enough to make a nice bead….plus liquid flux, no gap between pieces and most important, a decent soldering iron with a large flat tip…. it will deliver the heat you need to melt the solder to make it flow. Most people don’t realize how complicated and time consuming stained glass can be. And on top of that you didn’t have to make the cartoon and cut it out and put the pieces on the glass and cut them and shape them and groze them!
I appreciate that you show the challenges as well as the successes in your projects and that you see them through. Great video!
You are so welcome!
Watching you solder this stained glass has given me flashbacks of me trying to solder jewelry in a jewelry making class. It was so hard and in that class we used a blowtorch! I nearly burned my face off many times. A soldering iron is so much safer! It’s so interesting to see that the different solder, flux and different soldering iron makes everything easier. You made it through and the stained glass looks so pretty!
Thanks!
I’ve never soldered stained glass, but I’ve done a lot of soldering when building electronics. The way I was taught is to use the soldering iron is to heat the metal, then touch the solder to the hot metal, then it pulls the solder into the junction. I never touch the solder to the iron itself. I have issues both with the soldering iron not being hot enough or having crap solder. Don’t know if that helps
Great non-tutorial tutorial! Now I know why I never have tried this craft. We had a neighbor who did beautiful stained glass work. When we moved away he gave us a beautiful window piece with the first letter of our last name in old English script. 30 yrs later, its still hanging in a unique hexagonal window in my dining room. You persevered and showed us your Oops, as well as your triumphs! Go you!!
Thanks Jim! I might try it again sometime. Challenges are fun!
I took a class in stained glass way (way!) back in the day and both my husband and I did a few small stained glass pieces. It's not easy-peasy and there is a learning curve with the different steps, but I think it's not hard to improve - even if only in small steps. I'm impressed with what you did (and I never got much farther in skill than you did even after a few pieces). I think it's fun to try new things if one is intrigued and one should never expect great results for the first one (my mantra is, when learning to bake, be ready to throw out the first few loaves of bread!). And, even if we don't take a new technique up as a hobby, we appreciate those that do it so well even more. Anyone who has tried stained glass will never think ... oh, I bet I could make one of those at half the price this one is selling for! :-) This looks like a good kit for someone who wants to try it out. Cutting the glass is one of the hardest parts and this kit has done that step for you.
That was the thing that made me want to try! Cutting class for picture frames is an intricate as I get 😆
Points for bravery! I took a class to learn this some long time ago, with my husband who continued. He has all the gear and is very good at it. The problem, I think, with your kit is that you don’t know the quality of the flux or the solder. But you also need a really good soldering iron. I didn’t keep doing this because I learned in my first lesson that I don’t like cutting glass or handling cut glass. Big chicken. 😊
Valid point!
when I was a teenager (many years ago), my mom and I put together a stained glass hanging lamp for over the kitchen table. She had never done it before. It turned out well and hung in her kitchen for 40 years. There were a couple pieces of glass that had smears of blood from us cutting our fingers. My mom would never clean those two spots off. She and I attempted many, many projects, including carpeting the stairs and reupholstering chairs. I am so grateful for her.
Awww:)
This is so sweet ❤️
Hi Lindsay, I think your problem is your soldering iron is way to small. You’ll get a much better results if you buy a soldering iron that’s made for stain glass they have large flat tips kind of looks like a large flat screwdriver. They get much hotter so let you get a good bead on your foil. Also I don’t know why they told you to leave space between the pieces because that lets the solder puddle through the crack instead of connecting the pieces smoothly. You got nice results regardless so good on you for not giving up!
Thanks!
You are great Lindsay, you definitely persevered and did it!! Well done! I would have quit and used gorilla glue under the copper tape, called it a day and it would have fallen apart, lol. Thanks for sharing and being so willing to go the distance 💜💜💜💜
Great idea!! 😆 gorilla glue is pretty awesome!
Have wondered about these kits we have them here in NZ they are around the $30 mark so quite cheap. Think I will pick one up, looks fun. We also have a person here in Town that runs workshops on stained glass maybe I should just put me name down for the next one. Was a fun watch.
As soon as you said, "Oh, here are the instructions...I'll read them later", I ran and made popcorn. What a great video! Very entertaining! I would not have had the patience to complete the kit. But I have NEVER soldered. I used to use Gallery Glass from Plaid years ago. That was fun. I took wood shop in junior high, not metal shop. That was the first year girls were allowed to take a shop class. They made the boys take cooking or sewing. (1971) In the end the result is very nice hanging in the window. Why was the solder black?
It's silver but it darkens as air gets to it. It looks black Because the light us coming in from behind and its opaque.
I’ll read the instructions later hooked me too! One of the many reasons I love Lindsay.
I went on a girl's outing to an art studio and made sun catchers. It gave me an appreciation for the cost of stain glass lamps.
This was fun Lindsay. You are a patient!
I took a mail away class on soldering (from Heathkit, remember them?) back in the 80's. From what I remember, you need to heat up the surface you are soldering, as well as the solder itself. So the copper strips need to be hot enough for the solder to flow between them. Not just melt the solder and expect it to go where you want. I also took metal shop in high school, but we did arc welding in there, a completely different thing with helmets and stuff. I was working in the Computer Science industry, so the soldering iron they sent along with the other tools, were for small things like circuit boards.
Hullo Lindsay, I have seen a few comments with very good tips already! I have done quite a bit of soldering and the tip should have a flat or beveled tip you need to be sure the tip is clean before starting, wire brush, steel wool or even sandpaper will do. Your round tip is for burning wood or soldering wires. You need to heat the copper and then keeping it hot set the solder against it to “melt” I have better success when not leaving gaps between glass pieces. There is some gap from the foil that will allow the solder to seep between the pieces. Heating the foil is very important for the solder to stick! Flux is also needed as you already pointed out! You are truly inspirational and very talented with all of your projects! Thank you for sharing this non-tutorial, tutorial! Well done!
Thanks! I am sure I gave people anxiety watching this 😆 btw I got the paint the day you emailed me! Thank you!
@@thefrugalcrafter SO glad you got the paint I hope you enjoy it and can create more wonderful artworks with it! I assume that it all got there and is still in the pans, you would have mentioned a SNAFU had they not! I look forward to an Earth Friendly painting!
Even with all your challenges I still want to learn stained glass! I used to watch my grandfather in his workshop for hours! ❤
That is awesome!
I used to do commissioned stained glass pieces as a hobby many years ago. Soldering is a skill onto itself beginning with the proper way to hold the soldering iron through to the proper temperature for each type of job and medium. In between there is much more and hours of practice to get a beautiful domed bead and joints. Once you have it all working together it is very relaxing. Today the lead has been replaced with less toxic solder which is great if you plan on a big project.
I love the look of stained glass and have no desire whatsoever to try and make any. Thanks for showing what's involved.
I have been a stained glass teacher for over 30yrs you were right you need a new soldering iron it needs to be stronger I use 100 watt and the paste flux is not good for your foil
And you don't want to have spaces in-between you glass
Thanks for the tips!
Most important is hot iron and liquid flux. I used to do a lot of stained glass 30 years ago, and I loved it! But I can see people getting frustrated with this, if you are new to this, I suggest you watch a tutorial first! Lindsay really did an amazing go at this!
Great tip!
I now want this…. I have a soldering iron but no way to cut glass myself. And I did take metalworking in HS and learned how to -safely- work with the soldering iron and solder on glass (copper tape). This kid would be a great pick-up on 1/2 off sale or something!
Thanks for showing the project all the way through, even being on the struggle bus. I have the stuff to do this but I haven't tried my hand at it, yet! It's good to know that the flux might make a difference, as well! It turned out just fine!
Glad it was helpful!
It's finished, it looks great in the window and it's gorgeous! Well done, I would have thrown a tantrum half way through and given up!
I almost did 😆
Way to go - you did it. I enjoyed seeing you work a new project. I would not try it as I am too old to have a steady hand. It is pretty. All the things you don't like won't show up once it is hung. The focus will be sun coming through all the colors.
Thanks! The flaws don't show when it's hung :)
That did seem like a struggle. Maybe ask for another kit and a new iron for your birthday, or mother's day if that's closer 😊 I like this design, it looks great in the window. It's good to see you doggedly (is that the word) keep going despite the frustration.
Well, I am pretty stubborn 😆
Your" neverr give up" attitude is very good! I always believe to you and your works!🧡! Dear Lindsay!!❤!
Thank you so much!!
Wow, taking me back! I did a fair amount of stained glass (lead strips and all) about 40+ year’s ago. Cutting, grinding, bad fumes and all. I was never great at it, finally got rid of it all. I think the idea of the kit is great, like you say though, good quality flux and solder would be helpful, as well as a gun tip that works!
I bought a bunch of stained glass supplies from Hobby Lobby several years ago. Actually used the glass grinder for shaping rocks when I polished rocks. Used my table top tile cutter for shaping glass, slicing and shaping rocks. When I did stained glass I used the point tip for joints then went back with flat tip to smooth everything. It was fun but not something I want to get into because it takes a long time to learn and a long time to get a project especially if you want curved numbers letters etc.
I was glad all the peices were precut!
Wow! You did a great job! I think I would have rushed out and bought a new iron 😊 It is a beautiful piece! Makes me want to do one ❤
I should have 😆
I’m so so glad you show us all the REAL stuff, makes me feel better when I have issues, thanks for sharing!! 🤗
You are so welcome!
My husband's closest friend is a noted stained glass artisan. His soldering is flawless - he makes it look like he's frosting the edges of a cake, he moves so quickly and smoothly. A few times over the years, he's tried to teach my husband how to solder that well, with little to no success. It's a rather steep learning curve, I think. Our friend has soldered thousands of feet of copper tape and lead channel onto glass pieces. I'm sure he was not always so smooth, but since he was already a big cheese in the field when we met him, I didn't get to see that! ;-)
The important thing is that you stuck it out, finished your project and are even considering doing another. Go you!
Thank you for taking us along. I could feel your frustration, I've been there with MANY crafts. I think you did a great job and the finished product looks good! I haven't tried stain glass. I'm notorious for burning myself so I'm not sure if I want to try, lol.
I saw Michael's had resin jewelry and coaster kits around Thanksgiving. Haven't been there recently to see if they still have them. If you see them, I'd love to watch you review them! It's one of those crafts that I'd like to try but I'm on the fence.
Love that you keep going. The word 'quit' isn't in your vocabulary!
Thank you again.
I have a resin project I plan to do soon!
@@thefrugalcrafter That's terrific! I can't wait! 😊
The kits look cute & they seem complete. Not sure why they said to put space between pieces. This kit should be sold with a Michaels class for beginners. You did great because you had a little knowledge of soldering. A beginner would have no clue.
That was painful to watch, but you are a “Pioneer Woman “! Self taught, Adjust the plan, Keep Going Forward, Get the job done! Learn from the mishaps. Im so proud of you & impressed that you shared the experience with us. That is why we trust & love you.
I’ve taught beginning soldering for electronics and it is really heartbreaking to watch new people struggle with cheep, crappy irons (those $20 ones are just not that good) and blame themselves, where if you give them a good soldering iron, it just works and is nearly effortless - even for an absolute beginner. So like with many things, it is easy to think you aren’t good at something when you just don’t have the correct tools. But who is going to invest in a $100 (or more) iron just to test a hobby)? Some libraries have tools they rent out or even labs to try different tools. The city I live in also has two Makerespaces where they have the good tools people can come in and use.
What is a good affordable soldering iron for an occasional hobbyist? TIA:)
I got a woodburning tool/soldering iron from Amazon for 30 bucks and it wouldn't even burn wood properly. Could have turned me off woodburning entirely but luckily I was able to borrow a proper soldering iron from my mom's workplace. Huge difference!
@@thefrugalcrafter Sorry, but I really have no idea. The last time I bought a soldering iron it was more that 15 years ago, and that was for electronics -- I don't know if there is any difference.
That’s a beautiful kit! A lot of extras for a crafter at home. But if someone has access to those what a great piece.
Definitely!
The finished product is a credit to you, and your patience!
It's really helpful to see things not go completely right, so thank you for sharing ☺
I considered getting one of these, but this one was sold out both in my local stores and online. I didn't realize it needed a soldering iron, so I'm glad I couldn't get it. It's plenty fun enough to watch you do it. Edit: Some of the reviews say the solder isn't good. I would try different solder.
Might be! I did use some of my own and it melted better.
Just a few tips to consider- Use bulletin board push pins instead of straight pins, they work the best to hold your project. Hold the roll of lead so it has a good 3-inch working length out. It gets hot! Rather than heating the glass, heat the solder and let it sort of drip off the soldering tip onto your glass. And lastly, I've had better luck myself with liquid flux than the paste type. There's also a patina liquid that you can use afterward that will give it a finished look. Hopefully, this helps someone! Thanks for sharing your struggles, there's definitely a learning curve working with stained glass!🥰
Thanks for showing us how to do this in real life! Nearly 40 years ago I gave my husband a stained glass class for Christmas because he loved stained glass so much and wanted to learn. I watched him solder but I’ve never tried it before. Now he’s crossed the human rainbow bridge and I can’t get his expertise… but this video inspired me to try it for myself!! Thanks!
That's a great idea!
I really enjoyed this project. Thanks for sharing the video and all the learnings. It turned out to be a really pretty piece and like anything handmade, the imperfections just make it unique!
Glad you enjoyed it!
My husband soldered a lot with his A/C business, I asked him a few questions: he said he is not sure if solder has VOCs, but a filter would help with the fumes, rather than having to freeze yourself. (Plus the cold room, may contribute to the solder not getting hot enough. Solder runs towards heat.) He would heat the surface yo be soldered first when possible, to help it to run smoother. I did enjoy your video, I looked into the stained glass crafts, not tried it yet, but did get some supplies. Keep up the good work.
Lindsay, you are so funny! Soldering is difficult! I couldn’t ever get the hang of it. Thanks for sharing!
The stained glass is very pretty I have a new appreciation for what goes into making it! I do love it! Thanks for sharing your procedure, and how you pressed on! Good for you!
Thanks so much! 😊
You are giving me flashbacks to my burnt finger, while stain glass class, eons ago. That flux is very hot as well as the soldering iron!! Eek!! I remember cleaning it/my tip with ‘Brillo'
You did great !! I think it's pretty. It's been years since I tried stained glass. I used steel wool to get the tip of my iron cleaned, may be option to get it hot enough for the solder. Thanks for sharing , was fun to watch
Thanks for the tip!
I came out in the end! Yay 😁 I haven’t soldered since high school jewelry class and I don’t think these kits are for me. I burn my self with my flat iron or ironing clothes. A soldering iron would just be to dangerous for me.
Your soldering video from 10 years ago is my favorite of all time! It’s Lindsay being Lindsay at her finest!
Wow, thanks!
I give you so much credit for doing this on video. I would have started and then I would have called it quits, cause that's how I roll, hahaha....I think your sun catcher turned out beautifully and you should be proud of the outcome after all of the pitfalls you endured...Sandy
Thank you, Sandy!
Well done 👍✅👏 and congratulations for persevering through the challenges. I would not do any work with glass but it is always interesting to see and listen to you. Can't wait to see photos of the ornament hanging in your windows. Thanks, Lindsay!
There is a photo towards the end of the video and in instagram and my blog
Image result for sal ammoniac for soldering
Sal ammoniac, also known as a tinning block, quickly cleans away the residue that accumulates on the tip of your soldering iron. A clean, well-maintained iron tip is essential for good soldering. Sal ammoniac will also help re-plate and re-tin worn soldering iron tips. Hi Lindsey! Thought I'd share this. works great
Thanks for the tips!
Oh my! I just went back and watched your Soldering For Crafters! Awesome video! You are awesome at How-To! I've watched it along time ago and just rewatching it makes me want to get out all my soldering stuff! Yay🤩🤩
As someone who used to solder for a living I was screaming at my screen looking at all that solder! LOL Instead of trying to spread extra solder around, get some solder wick, remove the excess and resolder that joint. It's much better to redo the solder joint than to disturb it by melting it then letting it harden again. Those types of things cause solder joints to fail.
You need a chisel-edge soldering iron. I taught this “Tiffany Method” which you are doing and after applying the copper tape, I always taught that the next step was to “tin” all the edges-which means you apply a very light coating of solder on all copper-covered edges before you lay out your design. After you have pieces “tinned” it’s a matter of dropping a small amount of solder at all intersections. Then you run another thin line of solder over all areas.
Thanks for the tip!
Oh, that Is a Good tip! Thanks!
Like the idea of the kit- it would be a good way to find out if it’s for you. If not , no big investment and probably can slog through it to complete the one project. Thank you for sharing. It is helpful to see what it would be like for a beginner instead of everything perfect by an advanced person. It’s been a fun video. Thanks!!😊
Right on
Thanks Lindsay for sticking with this and showing us that even a professional artist has a little struggle now and then!
You are so welcome!
You did a great job! Thanks for persevering! I would suggest getting a stronger chain?
My family on both sides did stain glass as a hobby. They both discovered that over time the foil slowly let go of the glass and made gaps. They had to do repairs and then reinforce the curving lamp shades and hanging objects with an extra wire.
and then.. I went down the rabbit hole of amazon precut glass pieces listings :p it turned out beautiful, I think because you kept pushing through all the hardships.
Oh thank you!
Enjoyed watching the non-tutorial. Thanks Lindsay for reminding me why I only did a stain glass project one time many years ago. We had to cut the glass too. I have my Dad's old soldering gun, it works way better than yours. Some of the comments will help you next time.
Your own flux looked way better than the stuff in the kit. If you try again Lindsay try to find a tip that is flat on the end for stained glass. My first project was a dolphin jumping out of waves…LOTS of long curved glass pieces that cost me a fortune because I kept breaking pieces when cutting them. It was gorgeous when I got done though! Good job Lindsay!
Nice!
you really hung in there, I'm proud of you. I've done some stained glass, I really got into it for a while. In my humble opinion, and Inwould call myself a beginner...you soldering iron was not so much for stained glass. It really helps if you have one that has a dial temp and you can adjust the heat. I used a bigger tip actuLLY, AND i like the liquid flux too. Thanks so much, you did good!❤
I took a class and did stained glass for a couple of years. Then I moved overseas and couldn’t find the supplies (military family). We moved every 1 to 2 years for the next several years and I never got back to it. I really loved it! I still have my tools and equipment in the attic. This makes me want to pull it out, find a supply source and get back to it. (Haven’t done it in 35 years!) That’s the copper foil method. You do need a good soldering iron for it. Many of my pieces got broken in moves over the years. 😢
The problem probably is your soldering iron. It should melt easily and form a bead along the foil.
OH! I used to cut up a coke can and if you have places you want to remove some of the solder, you heat the solder and use the can piece as an edge so to speak. It's been 20 years but I think it was easier to lift the hot solder off with the aluminum can. you just don't want to work in one place too long and get the glass to hot or burn through the copper tape. It looks really pretty with the light.
This showed up in my news feed this morning. I teach stained glass classes and watching you was painful at times. I kept talking to your video.😁
You did a great job with what you had to work with and I loved your ability to improvise. I have never seen anyone put pins between the glass. That seems to defeat the purpose of making the edges match up. Get a 1/4" flat tip and smooth those edges and it will look great.
The instructions said to leave 1/16" gaps so I was trying to space them 😆
Wow. I’m impressed with your perseverance! I think it turned out great considering the obstacles. I can just imagine what you were saying after you finished filming this. 🤪😂🤣
This video makes me very happy that I have never been particularly interested in stained glass :) Love your 'stick-to-it-ness'!
Glad you enjoyed it!
1. Soldering is hard.
2. That soldering iron ain't right.
3. YOU ARE A TROUPER!!!
I enjoyed this video a lot! Thanks for your willingness to share struggles with us as well as successes!
Glad you enjoyed it!
keep it hanging up, i always keep my first projects of new things i try, i like to see the progress from my novice experience to see how far i have come.
You get an A for effort and an A for your willingness to share your difficulty on video with this project. AND, if I ever get a hankering to do a beginner stained glass project…I hope I’ll recall this video. 😊 At least you gave it a shot. And really, I think it was that blasted old soldering iron. While Christmas shopping at Target, I bought 3 kiddie kits to “Make a Christmas Banner” and never opened even one package. But I did mail off, just in time, my own handmade Christmas cards this year. Woo Hoo! So there’s that👍
Really cool kit, Lindsay!! Looks like fun if you know what you're doing, which I don't lol. I would love to try this, but I'm, too scared. I love how you're able to jump in and get it done. I hope you try the feather kit next time I think you'll do a great job with that one, too. Tfs.
You can smooth by reapplying flux over the soldering and reheating the solder and adding more solder.
Thank You for a lighthearted & healthy dose of reality! Even if it was a little scary!
💖Truly, I loved watching this, not because I enjoyed your struggles, but because you're so honest to show them!
This is one video that I CAN'T let my hubby or family watch. "I told you so" gets so annoying!
Actually, I probably will, you've inspired me to destash one more box of hoard.
When I was disabled, I also ended up on oxygen. Fun Fact -
💥Flames & O2 don't mix,💥
My family convinced me to give away my torch, & supplies, but I kept an iron, copper, & solder. I was sure that it would be easy to pick up soldering. Obviously it isn't as easy as some channels try to show. Especially since I'm usually working one handed,.
Thanks again, and hang in there, if anyone can figure it out, you can.
The Soldering Iron's Tip needs cleaning (or replacement), for soldier to stick well to it. That said... It might be Much easier to use a Soldering GUN. Soldering Guns get MUCH HOTTER, and much Quicker, than most Soldering Irons. Also, there are Low Watt Soldering Irons, High Watt soldering Irons, and Irons that you can switch between low and high.
For Soldering heat sensitive electronics to boards, you use a low watt iron. For bonding thick wires together.. or for bonding thick wires to things that are not heat sensitive... such as Motors, Speakers, Coils...etc... I use the Soldering Gun. IMO, for a project like this... you would want a High Heat (high watt) Iron or Gun (or gas Torch).
Surface Contaminations can effect Soldier Flow. Both on the Soldering Irons tip, and on the piece itself. Make sure that your hands are as Oil Free, as possible... by wiping them in rubbing alcohol a few times. If you do not want to dry your skin out.. then wear some thin rubber gloves.. but make sure that after you put them on, that you also clean them with the alcohol.
Certain Solders flow differently. Some have different amounts of ingredients in them.. for better flow. I have some ancient leaded solder, that flows like butter... and some other cheap solder that came from a kit... that barely flows at all.
I believe some stained glass workers use a gas Blow-Torch, instead of an Iron / Gun. They make torches in mini, and larger sizes. For a small sized project, a mini torch might be fine (personally, Ive never used one). But for a large window project... a standard plumbers torch, is probably much better. You wont have to worry about various soldering iron issues, with a torch.
Going back to soldering Irons... you want to keep a very wet sponge on the table, and after tapping the Iron free of excess solder (onto a metal tin lid), you want to quickly run the Tip of the Iron across the surface of the Wet Sponge. Make sure to rotate the Iron, to get all sides of the tip cleaned. This is especially important to do, before you are finished with the Iron... as putting the tip away with gunk on it, might permanently damage the tip.. due to corrosion. Also, I have a feeling that not all Tips and Irons, are created equally. Those cheaper irons might have uneven heat, and overall lower heat, issues.
Im not really an expert in the area.. but I have done decent soldering on Wires, PCB components, and Motor / Coil soldering, with great success. I bought a good soldering gun, as well as a Dual Temp Iron. The dual temp iron, works far better than the standard Cheap Iron. Its base also has a Spiral Spring Hot-Iron holder, and a place to put a wet sponge, to clean the Iron.
For practice, you can watch a video on Soldering from an expert... and then find some broken electronics, and use the wires and or parts, as things to practice with.
I have a soldering gun from when I worked at Radio shack (we used to have to solder cordless phone batteries in) I wonder if that would work better. It was probably cheap tho.
...scribbling notes... 🤔 ...Thanks!
@@thefrugalcrafter Even though the Gun may be cheap.. it should still be much hotter than the typical cheap soldering Iron.
That extra heat, will help greatly in getting the metal heated up quickly and widely... as well as more quickly melting and flowing the soldier.
That said, even these can develop bad "Tips", if you do not keep them clean enough... making it hard to find the specific hot-spot, where things melt near instantly.
You need to hold the solder to the tape and heat it from above! Then pull the solder away.
Could you scrub the tip with sandpaper or steel wool to clean it off? I'd love to see you do it again after you've watched a couple yt tutorials about getting a cleaner line. Then show before and after projects! Maybe do the next video on a warm spring day so you're not frustratingly cold?! I love that you don't give up! 💕
Great suggestion!
Jump rings should always be soldered where 2 pieces meet. If soldered to top of piece the weight of the sun catcher will eventually cause it to pull apart.
I remember and LOVE your soldering videos from 10 years ago Lindsay!! The seaglass one got me inspired and the microscope glass slides ones were easy and great fun!! Can't get that stained glass kit here but I still have microscope glass slides and you've inspired me to get soldering again! TFS!!
Nice!
I definitely would have stopped and gone to get a new soldering iron before continuing. The soldering needs to be hotter and a wider tip would help as well. Get the new iron and you’ll be able to smooth out those lines and joints waaaayyyy better and easier. I’d get another kit and try it again. You got this!!
I feel for you. I wanted to reach through my TV screen and help you. I have had classes in leaded glass windows and I have made a lot of them as well as small hanging ornaments. I agree with everyone about using a tip that looks like a flat head screw driver.
You mentioned oxidation on your tip several times. You can clean your tip by putting flux on the hot tip, wiping it off on the wet sponge. Then let it cool and rub your tip with steel wool. It will be like new again.
Also to regulate the heat I have a 'TIP' that my husband made me.
He took a Metal Standard Square Wall Electrical Box. On one side he inserted a Dimmer switch. On the other side he put an outlet plug with 2 places to plug in. Then he added an electrical cord to plug it into the wall. Put a Metal cover on it and Now you have a portable outlet to plug in your soldering iron AND you can regulate the heat with the dimmer switch. It really helps with the different types of soldering you are doing. You were using Copper Foil and the heat is different than if you were using lead came. The dimmer switch also turns the outlet plugs on and off.
I also use this portable outlet thingy for my Christmas Tree's lights.
I hope that this helps. I love your Channel.
Thanks for the tips!
I just want to say, Well Done! 👍🏻👍🏻
Well done, Lindsay! 👏🏻❤️👏🏻 I'm so sorry for the struggle but I am so impressed with your attitude to see it through. I hope you find it will bring colourful joy when the light shines through it! ♥️😘
Thank you so much!!
You sure put in a lot of hard work on this kit! Good job!
Thanks a lot!
At first I was like "nope, not gonna wanna." Then I got tickled, 'cause I could tell you were like "I'm going to Do this, by Golly!" and you Did! And Now I'm like "Oh, dear. Now I DO wanna." 🤦🏻♀️ Lindsay, you take me down some interesting rabbit holes! Oh, what Fun to be had! 😏
😆
Your stained glass looks wonderful. Your perseverance is admirable, I give up very easily. So I am not going to give up on watercolor even if I am frustrated. Thanks for the inspiration. I don't think I will try stained glass, right now anyway. Although my artsy boyfriend (also a water colorist) has messed with stained glass in the past and has been saying he's been thinking of picking it back up.
Thank you so much!
Sorry Lindsay, but the flux is there to help the solder flow?
You may and try to clean the tip of your soldering iron with sandpaper 800+? Gently does it.
May the solder be with you 😊
It actually turned out very well
Missed seeing it hanging. It is pretty. Good job for sticking with it. tfs
I posted a photo towards the end didn't I?
@@thefrugalcrafter I will go back and check.
@@thefrugalcrafter No, I went back and checked. Thats ok.
32:30 you can see it in her window. It’s beautiful!
Nice job! I'm not sure I would have the patience for this so kudos to you! Love your channel
Thank you!
Great video Lindsey! Inspiring in the stick to it of Ness that you have shown us struggle through struggle through perseverance is such an important character trait for people to learn and embrace. Also a great reminder to try new things and even if it doesn’t become your passion you tried something new and can appreciate others talents at it. Thank you!
You are so welcome!
Thank you thank you, I so want to do this! I took a class years ago and I have tools.
Go for it!
Dear Lindsay! Nice to meet you soon! I'm Sokwon kim and I always thank you for your works! Happy Lindsay!❤!🧡!
I absolutely loved this video! I used to do stained glass years ago and recently set up a work bench to start again. I keep procrastinating because it’s been so long and this is bringing back memories …🫣😂
You can do it!
By George, i think she's got it! Loved your perseverance! And it looks really pretty. I've never soldered before so I was pretty amazed at how it all works. Thanks for sharing this.
You can do it!
I started to buy one of these, then read the reviews. I decided to wait and see how it went for you first! I really like the look of the copper tape too! Would there be a way to cover the solder with copper tape?
It’s a really cute project! Thanks for showing us this!
I think it would get dull and tarnish over time but you could use adhesive and foil it or leaf it.
@@thefrugalcrafter Ooh! That's right! I didn't think about it tarnishing. Foiling or leaf is a terrific idea!
Thanks!
Thank you for showing us this! I don't think I'm gonna try it. I really wanted to, but you reminded me I would definitely burn myself, I can't even handle a glue gun lol.
You should take some sandpaper and clean your soldering iron... I do that when it doesn't works very well. I normally use another soldering way. With heat like I solder my jewelry. Don't know what it is called in English... .
Thanks for the tip!
Agree with others - soldering iron not hot enough. And it looks like you are using a pointed tip - a chisel tip should be used. I love you are always game for learning something new. 🥰
Thanks for the tips!