Jumbo Mess

by Ed
(plainfield indiana)

I am working on a large stained glass picture with a lot of small pieces. How do I keep all of the pieces moving. As soon as I get them in place another moves out of place. I use pins but I hasn't helped much.

Answer

Are you constructing tha panel within framing boards? They will make the project much easier to contain and keep in place. Start in one corner then build out and down.

If you are sure the pieces are accurately cut so they fit the pattern properly, you could tack solder as you go. It's not something I usually recommend, but If you're having as big a problem as you say, that might be the only way to go.

Also, I think you're either cutting the glass too big or too small. If it's too big, pieces will move as you try to cram another piece in place.

If they are cut too small, there will be too much space between pieces and they won't stay in place due to the room for movement. They pieces should be just barely touching.

One last thing you could do is to tape the pieces together as you put them on the pattern. I sometimes us narrow strips of painters tape. It's made by Scotch and comes off easily. You can get it at any place that sells paint. All you need is a small piece bridging each piece of glass. You will then have to tack solder before you remove the tape. Again, it's not something I usualy recommend, as it makes extra work, but sometimes it's the only way to go.