tigertail and copper foil overlay

by Linda
(Everett, WA)

Hi Sue,

Was reading through some of your info for hanging suncatchers and was wondering what tiger tail is?

Also, do you know of any info on overlaying. I've
got the sheet of copper foil, know how to cut it, but don't know what to do after that....and I'm not going to stick it on my panel and then solder...guess it can crack your glass from the heat....

Thanks for all your help....again.

Happy 4th.

Linda

Answer

Tigertail, is made up of multistrands of very fine steel cables and usually twisted together. These multistrands are then coated with plastic or nylon. The coating creates a tough and resilient wire.

It is generally used in jewelery making, but has been found to be a very strong and quite invisible wire for hanging stained glass.

You can also read the answer I gave someone else about Tigertail. It goes into a little more detail: Tiger Tail

As for overlay, you're right...you don't solder it while it's on your glass. Put it on some aluminum foil, and do your soldering there. Once you have it the way you like it, remove it from the foil and put it where you want it on the glass.

It should be soldered in place wherever it touches solder seams. If it doesn't touch any solder seams, glue it down. Just make sure you use a clear, non yellowing glue that is made for glass. I never like to trust the adhesive backing on the foil to keep overlays in place forever.

Your question about overlay is timely, as I had already planned on focusing on overlay for my next ezine. I have gathered a lot of material for it, so if you can wait until July 19, I'm sure you will find the information you are seeking.