The Right Stained Glass Tools For the Job

As with any hobby, the stained glass artist can spend a small fortune purchasing the tools of the trade.  There are many stained glass tools that are a requirement to do the job correctly, however some tools are considers nice additions, but will not inhibit the artisan from completing a project.

Some of the basic tools include a glass cutter, ruler, breaker/grozier pliers and a marking pen.  A soldering iron, foil, flux and solder are needed to fuse the glass pieces together, while a natural sponge should be purchased to clean the iron tip (be sure not to purchase a synthetic sponge as it will melt).  In order to clean flux from the finished product, a quality glass cleaner is necessary.  Furthermore, a soldering stand is a safe way to store your iron when not in use.

Another useful addition to the stained glass artist’s workshop is a grinder.  Grinders normally include a basic grinding bit, however additional specialty bits can be purchased to enhance the finished product.  Additionally, some manufactures offer housing for the grinder to reduce spraying and protect the user from glass debris.

Professional stained glass craftsmen will include a diamond blade band saw in their workshop.  This expensive addition saves time, by allowing the crafter to cut several layers of glass at once.  Along with a basic soldering iron, many people choose to purchase temperature controllers for their iron as well as various foil patinas to change the appearance of the cooled solder, and a rubbing compound to bring out the final luster when the piece is completed. 

A well-appointed glass studio is not inexpensive, however, many artisans will tell you that having the best stained glass tools provides the best end result.