Cap repair to Stained Glass Lamp

This pretty, autumn colored stained glass lamp came to me with a loose cap and several small pieces of glass about to give way.  Here's how I went about repairing and strengthening it.  (Click on any photo to enlarge)

Shown below, the cap of the lamp had loosened, as did some of the small pieces of glass, as far down as the second row.

I started the repair by carefully melting off the solder around the cap and removing it from the base.

Then I melted off the old solder and copper foil around the edge with a hot soldering iron.

Several small pieces of glass were still firmly anchored to the cap.  I decided to leave them in place.  Here I'm melting off old solder and foil.

To further clean off the edges of the glass, I'm using a metal file.

At this point, I've cleaned off the old solder and foil and re-applied fresh foil where shown.

Here I'm burnishing the copper foil with a "fid" or flexible plastic wand.

In order to protect the repair and add strength, I've cut a length of flat, braided reinforcement wire and soldered it to the top of the second row of glass as shown.

To promote the adherence of the solder to the cap, I used a Dremel tool to clear off the patina on the inside of the cap.  This is a temporary measure.  I'll patina it black again when the repair is completed.

 Now I've replaced the three loose pieces of glass in the second row and re-fitted the pieces onto the top of the lamp.

 To further strengthen the repair, I'm "tinning" two pieces of thick gauge wire.  Tinning is a process whereby I coat the wire with liquid flux, then apply a thin coating of solder.  This will enable the wires to instantly bond with the solder on the inside of the dome.

Below, I've soldered the pieces and integrated the two wires along the lines inside the dome.  About half of the wire covers the cap, the other half extends onto the dome.

 Here I've applied black patina which reacts instantly with the solder.  I applied a generous amount of solder throughout the edge of the dome to ensure a solid attachment.

 Now the dome is repaired and ready for use again.

 And here it is!  Thank you Ed, for bringing the lamp for repair.  May you enjoy it for many years to come!

Please visit my website to see my custom windows and repairs (click here).  And if you are on FaceBook, become a fan and I'll keep you up to date on all my stained glass projects.  Call me any time at 201-600-1616 or email with your questions. Thanks!

New Stained Glass for a Weather Vane

The etched red glass in this antique late 1800's weather vane cracked .. It was a simple fix.  I had some old red glass in stock and used the cracked piece as a pattern.  Within a few minutes, I was able to hand it back to my waiting customer for her to re-sell at her upcoming street fair.  Yes, I do small repairs as well.

Please visit my website to see my custom windows and repairs (click here).  And if you are on FaceBook, become a fan and I'll keep you up to date on all my stained glass projects.  Call me any time at 201-600-1616 or email with your questions. Thanks!

Pet Portraits in Stained Glass

What a great way to honor or memorialize a much-loved pet.  We are now offering Pet Portraits in Stained Glass.  Just email me a few clear, good-contrast photos of your cat, dog, horse, bird or other pet.  For a nominal fee, I'll prepare a full-color computer rendition of your pet for your approval.  I'll also make recommendations for color and texture of glass, depending on your preferences. The computer renditions are a very close approximation of what the finished pet portrait will look like.  Let's get started!  Remember also that we are happy to work long distance through email and the phone.  Thanks!

Please visit my website to see my custom windows and repairs (click here).  And if you are on FaceBook, become a fan and I'll keep you up to date on all my stained glass projects.  Call me any time at 201-600-1616 or email me with your questions. Thanks!

Beveled Sun Catcher Repairs

This unique sun catcher resembles something that M. C. Escher may have created.  Its composed of several square bevels which are joined at 90 degree angles.  When its in the sun, it casts bright little rainbows all around.  It was purchased many years ago by my customer in Sugarloaf, a New York State craft village.  Here's how I went about repairing it.  (Click on any photo for a closer look).

Here's the starting point .. Four bevels detached from the hanging.  It took several minutes to figure out the exact positioning for the repair. 

Here I'm tugging off the old copper foil and solder to prepare for the repair.

Melting off the hanging hook.  

As is the case with many stained glass pieces, these bevels were never grinded.  Here I'm using a metal file to grind the edges of the bevels.  This enables the copper foil to adhere better, giving the repair a longer life.

Cleaning off the old adhesive.

 Using a "fid" to burnish the copper foil onto the edges of the bevels.

 Here I'm using a "Professional Boxer" to maintain a 90 degree angle for each of the replaced bevels.

I taped the bevels in place to prepare for fluxing and soldering the joint between the two bevels

 

Now the pieces have been re-attached.

 The edges of the bevels on this piece were never completely finished.  The sides showed the old copper foil which is not the optimal way to create it.  Therefore, I used steel wool to brighten up the old foil.  Then I fluxed and "tinned" the edges, meaning that I applied a thin coating of solder.  Adding that extra solder on the edges will also serve to strengthen the piece.

 It's coming along well now.  I've added additional foil to that center piece.  The solder on top will add strength and a better look.

 Here I'm soldering the foiled sides.

 Now the sides of all the bevels have been tinned.  I'm applying black patina with a metal acid brush for a uniform look.

 The hanging hook is a very small piece of bent wire.  Here I'm cleaning it with steel wool.

 Now the hanging hook has been melted back onto the piece and I've patina-ed it as well.  After this step, I applied Liva Stained Glass Finishing Compound to the entire piece to give it shine and to protect the patina.

And here it is, complete and ready for the sunlight.

When this piece is in the sunlight, it throws dancing rainbows all around.  Beautiful!

 Another view of the finished piece.

 Thank you, Dawn, for bringing this to me for repair.  A fun challenge!  May you enjoy it for many years to come.

Please visit my website to see my custom windows and repairs (click here).  And if you are on FaceBook, become a fan and I'll keep you up to date on all my stained glass projects.  Call me any time at 201-600-1616 or email with your questions. Thanks!