It is a matter of taste, to which technique of building stained glass pieces
is better ... copper foil or lead came. Here is a brief description of each method.
The copper foil technique -
This method became popular just after the turn of the century,
during Lafarge's and Tiffany's era. Copper foil is mobile so
it can be wrapped and folded around glass. This technique
allows delicate effects when working with an intricate design.
It is extremely strong and supportive. When the copper foil
is soldered it becomes rigid, a very dependable method despite
it's thin and fragile appearance; and it is also weatherproof.
Traditional lead came method -
There are channels of lead called came. The word "came" is an
old English word meaning "string" or "length." Pure lead with
almost no additions is pushed through a steel die and channeled.
Either H-lead (double channel of lead), or U-lead (for the
outside perimeter) is used. The thickness of lead varies.
Because lead is a soft metal, it can be bent and
twisted. Lead came must be stretched before use. Like the bony
skeleton, it is rigid where essential and yeilding where necessary.
Lead came is the chief support of works of stained glass, cut and
fitted between or around each piece of glass, then soldered at the
joints. Putty is applied, if using to make a window, for weatherproofing.
