What is the difference between lead and copper foil?
A. Copper foil is a thin piece of copper that has a pre-applied adhesive on one side and is applied to the edge of the glass then flattened and burnished to conform to the shape of the piece. The adhesive doesn’t actually hold the copper on, so each piece must be soldered around all the edges or, if attached to another piece, soldered along the entire seam. The advantage is that the pieces do not have to lie flat, so this is often used for lamps or 3-dimensional items. Copper also allows for more detail and flexibility in a design. Lead is most often used in panels. It comes in long strips with a channel on each side that the glass fits into. A “cement” or putty is applied between the glass and the lead to secure it permanently. Lead came gives a more linear or “solid line” effect.
