Making Leaded Stained Glass Windows - Cutting Stained Glass

There are several techniques you need to learn to be able to make leaded stained glass windows. The first is how to cut stained glass. There are online tutorials which offer many ideas of how to work with tools used to cut and shape stained glass. I suggest, however, that you take a beginning stained glass course from your local stained glass store. There is nothing like watching how a seasoned stained glass artist scores and breaks stained glass and having them assist you when you begin learning these skills. Look up "Stained Glass Stores XX", replacing the XX with your city and state, to find where there are stained glass stores in your area.

There are specific tools needed to successfully cut stained glass. The word ''cut' when talking about stained glass, happens in several steps. Run a glass cutter, either a pen or a pistol grip style, along a practice line that has been drawn on the piece of stained glass with both ends of the score line finishing on the edge of the glass. You will hear the cutter leaving a 'score' line. For a straight line use the running pliers tool. Line the slash line on the top side of the tool with the edge of the score line on the glass, the other side of the tool is underneath the glass. Gently squeeze the handle to put pressure on both sides of the score line to break the glass. For curved lines use the breaker/grozier pliers. With the round side of the pliers under the glass, place the tip of the pliers against the score line, squeeze the handle to bring the top and bottom of the tool snug against the stained glass and gently pull away from the score line and downward. The glass will break along the curved score line. This procedure is called cutting stained glass. Practice, practice, practice!

Stained glass is like any other type of glass - it is sharp and there will be slivers when cut. Safety supplies include the following:
Gloves - Protects hands by providing a puncture proof barrier between hands and glass.
Masks - Eliminates the chance of inhaling slivers of glass.
Safety glasses - Available with magnification, large stye to fit over prescription glasses, and wrap around to protect eyes from projectile slivers when cutting stained glass.
Tape - Retain sensitivity for working with stained glass yet protects fingers from cuts.
Bandaids - Getting cuts is an occupational hazard. Protect yourself and have a variety of bandaids close at hand.

Always keep children away from your workshop area and wash your hands after working on your leaded stained glass project.