Sarah, I've used lead came on some stained glass projects to frame them for strength and support. On jewelry boxes I've made, I've just foiled and soldered. I have not used zinc came but understand that is what I will use when I make photo frames because it is for straight projects. I have not heard about danger with zinc on the skin. I have tried using lead free solder with limited success and it is very expensive.

Thanks for your reply d3bbi! I am trying to avoid using copper foil. I typically do that but I am trying to find some simple and less time consuming projects. I see boxes in stores that dont even have the joints soldered but only have one joint where the two ends of whatever is being used is soldered. I think what is being used is a notching tool so that there is an angle cut out of each side of the U and then it is bent in that spot to form a mitered corner. I would love to make some boxes but also want to make some simple jewelry and would love to use this same method.

THat's one way it can be done - zinc came & a notching tool. When I Make boxes ( or just about anythng ) I use strips of shiny lead. Makes a great straight edge - it's also bendable to go around curves. I use that for all my glass projects. The drawback - it is lead ...
Here's an example of what the lead I use looks like on a project :
{{!gwi}}

that is really beautiful toomuchglass! Thanks for showing me! I actually bought some lead came and some tools to be able to do a project using those but havent tried any of it yet. I guess that my aim with using zinc or whatever is appropriate for the kinds of things I am interested in making is that I want it to be safe to touch. I see there is zinc, brass, and copper came and I am hoping that one of these is suitable for contact with skin.

TMG, that is beautiful! I don't know enough to understand how you made that. All I've used is lead came with a single channel but it wasn't shiny; it was dull.

Sarah, please let us know what you learn. I too would like to stay away from lead that's why I tried the no-lead solder but I certainly would be interested in other options. The no-lead solder cost $25. a spool last year and a regular 60-40 spool of lead cost $12.

wow where are you buying your solder from? I buy a 1lb spool of lead-free 60/40 solder for 10 dollars

The reason that I am looking to use something like zinc came or any came besides lead for some new projects are for two reasons. The first reason is if the items are being touched like a box to keep things in then it isnt safe to use lead. The second reason is for ease of use. I want to accomplish these things without the time constraint of using copper foil

Sarah, I agree with your concerns for personal safety. That's why I made some jewelry boxes with the lead-free solder. So please do share if you find a solution.

BTW - I bought my lead=free solder online from IA Johson (I believe). Anyway, If I make hanging stained glass then I use the lead because it will be touched very little. The only danger is to me for all of that soldering with lead.

I use 1/8" channel for edging and boxes, a Lil Notcher and lead free solder. Copper can be touched up with patina, Zinc for natural and Brass for black. I also use a lot of lead free hobby came for curved edges.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.warner-criv.com/product.aspx?id=1870-22

thank you so much for replying yvonne.. could you answer a couple of things for me that I cant seem to find answers to. I might not be able to find them because the answer is no but I want to be sure. Do you seal these kinds of cames or can they just be left as is? I havent come across lead free hobby came before. Is this better than using the same came u were using for the rest and using a came bender?

THANK YOU!

while i am at it.. is there anything important I should know that I have not asked about? Anything you can answer would be so helpful