9. STRETCH THE LEAD H CAME
Lead strips for framing stained glass are called
came. They come in H-section or U-section shapes.
U came has 1 channel to hold glass and is used
for border pieces. H came has 2 channels to hold
glass, 1 on each side, and is used for the interior
leading of a window.
The came is soft and should be stretched before
use — if you don’t stretch it, it may have kinks or
undesirable bends in it. To stretch the H came,
secure one end in the lead vise, then pull on the
other end with grozing pliers.
CAUTION: Although metallic lead can’t be absorbed
through the skin, it can be absorbed through a cut, so
I recommend wearing disposable gloves for protection.
10. LEAD THE WINDOW
10a. Place the corner piece of glass into the zinc border until
it fits along your design lines. Measure and cut your first piece
of lead came by holding it against the next exposed glass edge.
Mark the lead about
1" in from the corners of the glass.
10b. Use the lead snips to cut the lead where marked. Hold the
lead with the channel facing up, and the pliers at a right angle
across the channel, and snip. Snipping the lead the wrong way
will pinch the channel closed and you won’t be able to slide the
glass in. Once your measured strip of lead is cut, slide it onto
the glass edge. Then fit the second piece of glass into the other
channel of that H came.
10c. Hold the second piece of glass
in place with a nail while you measure
for the next piece of lead. Continue to
cut and fit lead came and glass pieces
until the window is completed to the
outside edges.
Measure, cut, and fit the 2 remaining
outside pieces of zinc border and tack
them down with nails.
