Anatomy of Lead

• 1). Inserting glass into a channel of lead means that the glass is inserted above and below the lead width (called the faces) and is 3/32" deep. According to the StoreFinder, "The portion that connects the two faces is called the heart and the standard width of this part of the lead came is 1/16" and 5/32" tall."
  
  
• 2). Use several styles of "U" lead, which comes in flat and round styles. When set on one side it forms a U-shaped channel. This is where the outside portion of your stained glass fits in to provide a finishing touch.
  
  
• 3). Insert "H" lead into your stained glass project to connect adjoining pieces of stained glass.. This lead has a channel on both sides with a heart in the middle. The two channels are used to connect one piece of stained glass to the adjoining piece.
  
  
• 4). Stretch the lead to make it rigid. Pull one end of the lead with pliers while standing on the other end.
  
  

The Pattern

• 1). Design your pattern. You can draw the stained glass pattern by hand or purchase a stained glass pattern software program. There are also free stained glass patterns that can be found on the Internet.
  
  
• 2). Make three copies of the pattern. One copy will be the template on which you'll build your stained glass project, one will be for cutting the individual pieces and one will be a spare.
  
  
• 3). Place slash marks on the pieces where variegated or textured glass will be used. Number all pieces and put a color code on each piece. Cut the pattern into individual pieces.
  
  

Assemble the Project

• 1). Start at the bottom left of your project. The "U" lead is always used for the perimeter of the project and the "H" lead is for the interior of the project.
  
  
• 2). Cut and lay the "U" lead, channel facing inward, on top of your template.
  
  
• 3). Insert the appropriate piece of glass, following the number on the template, placing the glass into the channel of the "U" lead.
  
  
• 4). Wrap the remaining part of the glass with "H" lead. Insert the adjoining piece of stained glass into the other side of the "H" lead. Surround the second piece of glass with "H" lead. Solder each intersecting joint of lead by placing a light coat of flux on the joint and soldering it together with a soldering iron and solder.
  
  Continue until all glass pieces have been inserted and soldered.
  
  
• 5). Finish by placing the remaining "U" lead around the stained glass piece and solder. Carefully turn the piece over and solder all the joints.
  
  Use stained glass putty, as directed on the container, to bond the glass and lead together.