THE CRAFTS 
WOOD CARVING AND PYROGRAPHY. LEATHER AND METAL. BASKETRY, ETC. 
Under the inanageiuent of Miss Emily Peacock, 6 Brevoort Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. All inquiries in regard to the various Crafts 
are to be sent to the above address, but will be answered in the magazine under this head. 
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Workman leading a window. 
MAKING A STAINED GLASS WINDOW 
Henry L. Parkhurst 
THE making of a stained glass window is a very simple 
matter merely as mechanically manufacturing an article 
goes, and involves only a fair amount of mechanical skill to 
bring together the only two materials used, which are lead and 
glass. But when it is to be artistically made, it calls for some- 
thing more than mechanical skill alone. And an opportunity 
is offered to the lead glazier to show an appreciation of the 
artistic value of line in design, by making a good selection of 
the different sizes and shapes of leads, and in putting the solder 
on the joints in a manner to help bring out the drawing besides 
holding the window intact firmly. He is also given an oppor- 
tunity to show an appreciation of color in his work, for a good 
selection of glass is dependent upon it, and a good color sense 
is as important to him as it is to a painter. 
I consider therefore, that all of the artistic side of stained 
glass work is of greater importance than the mechanical. By 
this I do not mean that any part of the practical work might 
ever be slighted in the least. It must rather be very well and 
thoroughly done, and the window must serve its practical 
purpose perfectly. But the main principle of stained glass 
worlc is an artistic one, and it is the obtaining of good results 
through the use of such an unyielding material as glass that is 
the wonderful part of it all, and not merely the mechanical 
matter of construction. Yet I find as a rule that it is the latter 
that excites the layman's interest and wonder more than the 
former; and I am making it a point to speak of this at first so as 
to correct this mistaken point of view if the reader should have 
it. 
The method of making a window, and the materials used, 
have changed very little since the Mediaeval days; practically' 
not at all. We still use the full size cartoon, and make patterns 
by which to cut the glass, and have the same shaped leads 
which are soldered together in the same way. A few small 
improvements have been made, and some new ways inA'ented 
for making windows; but thej' are not largely used. 
One of the improvements made in modern times is the 
Workman cutting glass with the wheel. 
corrugating of the web of the lead to make it cling to the glass 
more firmly. Another is the use of tin floated over the surface 
of the leads to make them bright, and to add to their strength. 
One of the new ways to lead windows, is to cover the edges 
of the glass with very thin sheet copper, and then float over 
the joints with solder. Another is to use hard metal, zinc or 
copper, in the shape of raised leads, and solder the joints same 
as in regular leading. Some new shaped leads have also been 
made; and we now have the half round, the rectangular, the 
V shaped, and a few others more ornamental. 
But stiU with aU the little improvements and changes 
constantly attempted, and sometimes made successful, by far 
most of the work continues to be made in the old flat lead as it 
has been for ages. And probably a better method will not be 
discovered in many years to come, if ever discovered at all. 
For the lead, as used, is very flexible and easily handled, and it 
gives an artistic effect, and when puttied with putty that 
hardens, makes a strong window. So this article will h& con- 
fined to the simple plain igading with flat leads. 
Before describing the process of making a window, let us 
have a list of utensils and materials needed. First, the work 
should be done on a table about three feet wide and six feet 
long, made of pine, and having cleats on the back. This may 
be supported upon two wooden horses, or any support, as long 
as it is firm. The tools necessary are as follows: 
A wheel (Fig. i) and a diamond for cutting the glass (Fig. 2) 
\c^S5- 
Currins VVheef. 
The wheel for ordinary use, and the diamond for the hardest 
glass, and for cutting sciuare lined ]jieces of clear glass. A 
