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See the tabs below for all products and tools used in this technique, plus any additional tips that may be helpful to you!
Choose the glass size and shape that will fit the image. Lay the glass over the image. Use the glass as a guide to cut the image to the correct size.
There will be a front and a back to the piece. So, place two images back to back between two pieces of the same size glass. Make sure the glass is clean of any dirt or finger prints.
Begin covering the edges of the layered glass with copper tape. Peel the copper away from the paper to expose the adhesive. Choose a side and start in the middle of that side.
Rotate the glass, covering each side. Keep the glass centered on the copper tape.
Continue covering the edge of the glass. Slightly overlap beginning piece of copper tape.
Cut the tape. Then begin folding down the edges of the copper tape around the glass. Start by folding down the left and the right edges like you were wrapping a present.
Smooth the copper down onto the glass. A fold at the top and the bottom of the glass will be left.
Then, like wrapping a gift, fold down the top and bottom edges. Repeat for the back of the piece.
Smooth the copper down against the glass. Use a hard, smooth tool (the end of a pen or marker or a burnishing tool) to smooth out any creases or bubbles.
If the copper tape is covering too much of the image, you can carefully trim some of the tape away. The solder will only go where the copper tape is.
Do not trim away too much of the tape.
The image is now ready to be soldered.
Put your piece into a clamp to help steady it when you are soldering. This will also help free up your second hand. Do not place the clamp directly on the glass as it may break. Always work on a heat resistant surface.
Before you begin using the soldering iron, it should be "seasoned". Unroll a small piece of solder. Use the spool as a "handle". Touch the end of the lead free solder to the tip of the hot iron. The solder will melt onto the tip.
Wipe the tip of the soldering iron on a damp sponge, wiping the solder off. Repeat for the other side of the tip.
Before applying solder to the copper, brush a layer of flux over one edge of the piece. Flux will help the solder flow smoothly. Always apply a layer of flux before adding solder.
Hovering slightly above the copper, place the end of the lead free solder against the tip of the iron. The solder will begin to melt.
Pull the solder away from the tip of the iron. The hot solder should be between the copper and the tip of the iron.
Guide the hot solder across the copper. The iron tip should never make direct contact with the copper.
Continue pulling the solder across the edge of the copper.
A thin coat of solder has now been applied to the copper. This step is also called tinning.
Add more solder to the edge of the piece to build it up and create a rounded edge. Before adding more solder, always brush on a layer of flux.
If you have not applied flux, the solder may not flow well and mounds of solder may occur.
If a mound of solder occurs, simply apply a layer of flux.
Touch the tip of the soldering iron to the mound of solder.
Continue pulling the melted solder along the edge of the piece. Repeat steps 16 - 22 for each side of the piece. Rotate and reposition the piece in the clamps. Remember that the glass and solder will be very warm.
To add a jump ring to make the piece into a pendant, melt a small mound of solder to center of one edge of the peice. Do not apply flux before adding the solder.
Carefully pull up and off with the tip of the iron.
Hold a jump ring with a pair of old chain nose pliers or a hemostat clamp. Brush the edge of the jump ring with a layer of flux.
Rest the jump ring on top of the mound of solder. Carefully come in from the front of the mound with the tip of the soldering iron.
As the mound of solder melts the jump ring will sink down into it. This will happen fast. Quickly pull the soldering iron away.
The jump ring should be well anchored into the solder.
If the jump ring is not centered or in the correct place, gently melt the solder again and lift the jump ring out. Repeat steps 28 - 33 to reattach the jump ring.
The piece may have a few bumps that you want to smooth out.
Use a file to carefully smooth out some of the bumps in the solder.
Clean up the soldered piece with a damp paper towel. Wipe off any excess flux.
Polish the solder by applying a small amount of Super Shiny Solder Polish with a cotton swab.
Use a dry paper towel or cloth to rub the polish on the solder.
Congratulations you now have a beautiful soldered pendant.
Using round glass can be a little bit tricky. Cover the edges of the layered glass with copper tape. Peel the copper away from the paper to expose the adhesive. Start on one side of the layered glass then roll the glass over the copper tape.
Cut the copper tape. Then rotate the glass as you begin "crimping" the edge of the copper tape. Continue rotating, bringing the edges in more and more.
Then press the copper tape against the glass working from the outside edge in. Once the tape is smooth against the glass, use a hard, smooth tool (the end of a pen or marker or a burnishing tool) to smooth out any creases or bubbles.
Clamp the piece on the copper, make sure that the piece is stable on sitting upright on the work surface. Apply a layer of flux to a small area of the copper tape.
Add solder as shown in steps 17 - 22.
Rotate the piece slightly and reposition the clamp.
Apply a layer of flux to a small area of the copper tape.
Continue adding solder repeating steps 45 - 48 until each side is covered.
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