I highly recommend a beginners stained glass class. You can usually find one at stained glass studios, or at the local community college continuing ed. dept. Once you learn the basics the rest is practice, practice, practice... Good luck!

Ramona

I recommend a teacher who will instruct you in leaded glass first and foiling second. Once you've learned how to lead, foiling is easy peasy but I've heard that folks who start foiling first rarely move onto leading. Dunno why, there are pros and cons to both methods.

Also, invest in the best tools you can afford right off. Trying to solder with an elcheapo soldering iron is an exercise in frustration so get a good one! I recommend either a Weller 100P or a Haako.

The biggest mistake I made when first learning to cut glass was bearing down too hard on the cutter. I read that the correct pressure is between 4-5 lbs and I was applying 20+ lbs pressure (I got my bathroom scales out and actually cut glass on it to figure that out ~ lol). Lightening up made a huge difference in the accuracy of my cuts.

If you're interested in mosaics as well as stained glass, invest in a dual surface grinder. I didn't and wish I had :-(

Most of all - have fun with it! Get bold, get daring, get creative in your work!

Having a teacher with classes would be great and the best way to go. I'd like to. I haven't cut the first piece of glass. (just recently got a glass cutter) I guess you've checked out the FAQ's on the main page here. Reading the posts on this forum will probably provide the most help.

A couple of interesting places posted here before...with some "condensed" info.

http://www.warner-criv.com/techtips/tips.aspx

http://www.inlandcraft.com/
(how to booklets)

anotherchris
i love rocks, too.

Try to keep your cutting wheel straight up and down to avoid undercutting the glass.

When you have a deep inside curve, don't try to take all of it out at once. You'll have much better luck if you take it out in several pieces.

Cut your inside curves first; outside curves second.

When cutting strips, don't try to take 1/4" off of a full sheet. Score your strips and then separate them from the main piece. Break the center score first, and keep going with the center score until all of the strips are released. I hope this makes sense! I'm having a hard time making this come out right.

Like others have said, an intro course at your local SG shop is invaluable. They will show you how to use the tools correctly and will be able to answer your questions on the spot.

Watch out for solder blobs on your work surface! I've got a scar on my arm where one of them suckers stuck to me.
Even though you may think they're cold and hard, sometimes they ain't!!

YUP, Go to a class if you can, it sure helps!

I agree class helps. I started with lead then moved to copper foil and Im glad I have both techniques under my belt. To me lead is way easier and a lot more forgiving, while copper foil is great but takes time to learn to solder nicely (I still dont like my soldering!!)

To learn to cut glass I went to the 2nd hand store and bought all the cheap picture frames that had glass in them that I could and I would practice cutting glass with the glass out of those frames. Sure saves alot of money that way!!!

Practice makes perfect thats for sure. But it really is fun!!!!