4 Leg Lamp Spider
by chuck harris
(spingfield ohio)
Hi Sue
Can you tell me how to use a 4 leg spider in a lamp? I can find how to use a cap, but I like to open the top.
Thank you,
Chuck
Answer
Lay the spider across the top of the lampshade so the hole is centered. Mark the legs where they touch the inside edge of the shade.
Take the spider off and bend each leg, at the mark, until it's at the angle of the lampshade. This can be tricky, but it's doable!
Once all 4 legs are bent, slide the spider up to the top of the shade, from the inside, and solder each leg to a seam. Before you solder it in place, make sure it's level.
I've seen some people cut off the legs to the right length and just solder the ends to each seam. I don't feel that this gives enough support, especially with a heavy lampshade, since the spider is all that's holding it up. However, I imagine, with a small shade it would work.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
The Right Size Base for Lamp Shades
by Jill Liberatore
(Georgia)
I have acquired various lamp bases that are 8", 18" and 25". I am now looking for patterns to fit these lamps, but am unsure of the size I need. What is the correct method of determining the size for each lamp? Is there a ratio that is commonly used? How I find patterns that will fit the diameter of the provided cap? Many of the patterns simply say to "resize as needed", but I am unsure of the sizes needed.
Answer
Sorry about the delay with an answer. I've been trying to find some information for you, but there doesn't seem to be any.
I've never made a shade for a specific base. I always make my shades first, then find a base it looks good on. With different harp sizes and risers you can make most shades fit most bases within reason of course.
What I'd do is find some patterns you like and cut out the basic shape and the number of panels specified using cardboard, not glass. Tape them together and see how they look on your bases. I'm sure there's a more scientific way to figure it out, but I don't know what it is.
If anyone reading this knows a better way to do it please tell us how, in the comments section below.
Click here to read or post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
crinkly masking tape
Your tutorial on making a lamp shade is excellent. However, I'm not sure what you mean by crinkly masking tape. My instructor always uses electrical tape but I'd like to try this crinkly stuff but I don't know what you mean.
Answer
You need masking tape that has the texture of crepe paper. It won't be as crinkly as true crepe paper, but it will have crinkles which allow it to stretch a bit. Don't buy packaging tape which is absolutely smooth...it won't work. 3M makes a variety of crepe paper masking tapes. One of the most popular is the blue painters tape. Most manufacturers of masking tape make the crepe paper variety.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
masking tape for lamps
by Phyllis
(syracuse, NY)
What kind of masking tape are you referring to to use in putting together lamps? What do I look for in the store. I have not heard of crinkly masking tape. Thanks
The same question was asked not long ago. You'll find the answer Here.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
lamp panel angles
by Marie
(NY)
How do I figure out how big of an angle my lamp panels need?
Answer
To be quite honest, I don't know...but I know someone that does. He has built lampshades for many years and has a web site with all sorts of lamp building information Here. Click on "Design Tools" in the left side column to get the information you are looking for.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
Adding Hangers to a SG Light Fixature
by Danny Childs
(Atlanta, GA USA)
I need to add 3 loops to the inside of a Home Depot stained glass fixature, I have a soldering gun and a pen torch with solder tips. What kind of solder do I use I tried general use solder and it would not take. thanks
Answer
I wonder if you are trying to solder to a metal that accepts solder, or is it something else that looks like metal.
If it is metal, it might be coated with something that will not let the solder to come in contact with the metal.
Also is your soldering gun a high enough wattage for stained glass work. It should be at least 60 watts and preferably 80 watts.
Are you using flux? Nokorode is a good all purpose flux for stained glass work. Solder will not take without using flux first.
50/50 or 60/40 solid core solder is what you need to be using. Do not use solder with an acid or resin core (which is generally used for electronics work).
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
Lamp shade pattern discrepancies
by Henry
(Thunder Bay)
I am getting ready to make a lamp shade and have chosen a pattern from a book. I made a mock-up of the panels (6) from cardboard and taped it together to see how the size would look on my base. The shade needs to be taller so I will add 1 1/2" to the length of each panel to give me almost an extra inch in overall height.
The problem that I discovered is that the pattern calls for a 3" cap but the opening on my mock-up is only 2 1/2" so now I`m concerned about how to correct this problem. Can measurements on patterns be trusted and what is the correct size of the top edge of each panel so that a 3" cap fits correctly ? The pattern has a top edge size of 1 1/4".
Answer
First of all no...patterns from books can not be trusted to be accurate. It depends on how they were prepared for printing. If they were photocopied, chances are that they will be off ...usually with one side being longer or shorter than the other...not by much, but enough to make constructing the shade a nightmare. The best way to check this is to copy the pattern on another piece of paper, fold it in half, hold it up to a source of light and see if all of the outside edges line up. If they don't adjust the pattern so they do.
As for making the shade longer, did you think about putting a shorter harp on the lamp base instead? That would bring the shade down lower on the base. It would be a lot easier than altering the pattern.
If you are going to alter the pattern, add extra length from the bottom instead of the top. That way the top opening will remain the same.
As for the vase cap, I don't know the answer to how to measure for the right size, but you could use a smaller size cap (they come in 1/2" increments) or use a spider instead of a vase cap.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
Large lampshade patterns
Could you give me help on finding a stain glass lamp pattern that is 17 inches in length? I have a set of large bedroom lamps and I want to put stain glass shades on them myself, but the largest I can find is12 inches. Does anyone make a 17 inch to19 inch in length not width?
Thank you,
J. J.
Answer
Hi JJ,
I don't know of any pattern that long. However here's how you can make your own.
I put a drawing in the image window at the top of your question to illustrate what I'm telling you.
The first one is taken from a pattern in a book that is the diameter of the lampshade that you might want to make, but it is only 12 inches long.
Measure the top and draw the same length line on some paper.
Find the center of that line and draw a vertical line 17 or 19 inches down from it. Now draw a horizontal line along the bottom that is the same length as the bottom line in the pattern you like (make sure the line is centered on the horizontal line). Now draw lines from the top to the bottom, on both sides. You will end up with a basic template of a panel the length you desire.
If it's a simple pattern, you can transfer the pattern to the new size template, or design your own.
There are plenty of pattern books available, or free patterns to choose from.
Google Books is a good place to find stained glass pattern books. Do a search for stained glass lampshade patterns. If you click on a book, you will be able to view much of the content of the book on the next page that opens.
I hope all of this will help you.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
Pattern For Your Lamp
by Bonnie
(Dowagiac MI)
Where can I get the pattern for the lamp shade in your tutorial?
Answer
It is my own design and, I'm ashamed to say, I didn't keep the pattern once I built the shade. I seldom make the same thing twice, so I don't keep a lot of used patterns around.
You are welcome to copy it if you want. All of the panels are the same design, just different color flowers.
Right click on the picture, then click on "save picture as". Save it to your photo album or image editing program. Enlarge the flower and print it out. Draw the exact dimensions for the panel and copy the flower to it. You may have to enlarge or decrease the size of the flower until it fits.
I just measured my lamps, and the dimensions:
9 inches on the sides, 5 3/4 inches across the bottom and 1 inch on the top. However, you can make your lamp any size you want as long as you keep the proportions the same.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
Lamp Spider vs. Vase Cap
by Crafty Chris 13
(Lafayette, IN, USA)
Is it possible to use a lamp spider instead of a vase cap on a stained glass lamp shade? If so, are there specific spiders that need to be used? Where can they be purchased?
Thanks.
Answer
Yes, for panel lampshades you can use a spider instead of a vase cap. A spider will let more light out through the top of the shade, whereas a vase cap will force the light to come out from the bottom of the shade.
I wouldn't use a spider in a lampshade that is built on a form such as Worden or Odyssey. Those Tiffany style shades need a vase cap to make them look authentic.
You can buy 3 or 4 leg spiders. If your shade has the number of sides that you can divide by 3, use a 3 leg spider, or divide by 4, use a 4 leg spider.
Spiders are available from most stained glass suppliers.
If you are a subscriber to my monthly ezine, Stained Glass Gems, you will find instructions for attaching a spider in Issue 12.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
need clear lampshade
by Susan
(Concord Georgia USA)
Please-where can I buy a clear glass lampshade to make a mosaic lamp???
Answer
I'm sure I've seen them in our local lighting store. Have you searched for them on line?
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
types of glass used for lampshades
by sam dixon
(san diego)
Hi Sue,
I would like to know if its OK to mix translucent and opaque opal glasses for a lampshade.I am worried about passing too much light through the glass.
Thanks,
Sam
Answer
It's okay to use small amounts of translucent glass in a lampshade. Place the glass over a lightbulb to see what it will look like in a lampshade. Some translucent glass has a bright glare with a light bulb behind it. A light box comes in handy for lampshade making. You can lay out all of the different types of glass you will be using and see how it looks together.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
installing a spider in a lamp shade
by John L
(Sebring Fl)
Spider soldered in lampshade
what is the proper way of installing a 3 or 4 arm spider in my lampshade
Answer
To use a spider you will:
Get the appropriate spider for your panel lamp. Three legged spiders are used for a shade with 3, 6 or 9 sides. Four legged spiders are used for shades with 4, 8, or 12 sides.
Lay the spider across the top of the shade, making sure the center of the spider in the center of the opening.
Mark each leg of the spider where it touches the inside edge of the lampshade.
Take the spider off and bend each leg down (two pair of pliers work best) on the inside of each mark. If you start to bend on the outside of each mark, the spider will be too wide and won't fit inside the lampshade.
Slide the spider inside the lampshade and determine where you have to bend each leg more or less to make the legs rest along an inside seam (where two panels join). Your ultimate goal is to have the spider all the way to the top of the shade with the legs resting firmly against the inside seams.
Once you have the spider bent properly, you can cut off some of the leg that is bent down. You only need a couple of inches or less depending on the size and weight of the shade. The one in the picture has only about 1/4" sticking down, because the shade is very small and very light weight.
Now you can solder the legs in place. Be careful when you solder them. They take a lot of heat to get to soldering temperature, and if you hold the iron on too long you can break the glass.
If you want, you can tin the legs before you start soldering. They will attach a little easier and minimize the danger of breakage.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
Hanging Lampshade
I have recently been asked to do a 4 panel stained glass lampshade for a friend of mine. She would like it to hang from the ceiling (using chains) - I'm wondering how to go about doing this - I have looked at your tutorial for lampshades (on top of a lamp) and find it fairly straight forward and easy to follow (meaning I have enough experience with glass to do this project...) - I'm curious to know if there is anything I need to watch out for (more support, do I need to wire it (for electrical use), stuff of that nature). Any information you could give would be helpful...I just discovered your site so I haven't 'surfed' it yet (so if the answer is within these pages just send me to it ;]) Thank you in advance for your time, Krystyn
Answer
Hi Krystyn,
I'd solder wires on the inside seams so they go from the bottom to the top and far enough up so they will be attached to the vase cap (if that's what you will use). If you use a spider, you won't need the wires.
Make sure you solder a wire around the bottom of the shade, again making sure the 4 wires on the inside attach to the bottom wire. If you're understanding this, you will see that you are making a wire framework that will support the shade.
As for electrical wiring, have a licensed electrician do it. Your local stained glass supplier should have all of the parts necessary for wiring.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
Dome shaped lampshades
by Bill
(Cincinnati)
Hi Sue,
I read your tutorial on lamp shades & it is very helpful. I am trying to construct a 10 sided dome shaped shade. The shade has 6 rows. Each row is 10 identically cut pieces. You tutorial is great for constructing the ist. row. How do I add the next 5 rows. Do I need a mold?
Thanks,
Bill
Answer
No, you don't need a mold. Foil the first row, tape it and pull it up into shape. Do the same with the next row. Once it's pulled into shape, set it on top of the first row and tape each piece down to the corresponding glass below. Do this with each row. Once it is all taped together you can tack solder the rows in place.
This is where precise cutting is imperitive. If the pieces in any row are too large or too small, the lampshade just will not go together.
Do a lot of measuring before you cut your glass. The width of the bottom edge of each piece of glass in the second row must be exactly the same width as the top edge of each piece of glass in the first row, and so on for each succeding row.
Hopefully this makes sense to you. Pictures are so much easier then words in this type of explanation. If you need more help or a better explanation, please don't hesitate to ask.
Click here to read or post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
attaching the square lamp cap
Can the cap be attached to the inside of the glass? Or must the glass fit underneath the cap? I was hoping to have a shade just a little larger than that.
Answer
If the cap is too small for the top of the lamp, it will be even smaller on the inside. There wouldn't be any contact with the solder lines to be able to attach it.
I'd suggest using a spider. You can get spiders of varying lengths, so you should be able to find one that fits. The spider would be soldered on the inside of the shade.
Get a spider that is long enough to be able to bend down a portion of each leg so you can solder them into the seams between each panel. You don't want one where the tips of the legs just touch each seam. That wouldn't give the shade enough strength, and the spider would eventually pull loose.
Click here to read or post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
Lamp Shade Instructions Question
Step 7 says to soldier all pieces but not the edges and then wash, what about the copper foil, I thought it couldn't get wet, thank you, Sunny
Answer
Hi Sunny,
If you're sure the foil is burnished well, it won't matter if the foil gets wet as long as you don't scrub it or use hot water.
Scrubbing will causes damage by ripping the unsoldered foil and/or pulling the foil away from the glass.
Hot water could lift the unsoldered foil just enough to cause moisture to get under the foil. Once the foil is soldered it will pull away from the glass.
Again, making sure the foil is well burnished is the key to success.
Click here to post comments.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Stained Glass Questions.
|
