12. Level Up Your Soldering in Three Steps

Hey party people! One of the most common questions we hear from our students is how to achieve smoother solder lines. In this blog, we’ll share three simple ways to instantly improve your soldering technique and help you create cleaner, more consistent solder lines.

1. Your soldering is only as good as your foiling
   Every step in stained glass builds on top the next. How you cut your glass pieces will be the shape of the foil and the solder will mimic that same shape. The foil should be applied evenly to the glass to get the most consistent solder lines. Utilize the different foil widths on thin to thick glass to keep solder lines even. Improve your copper foil application with our hand foilers. Watch our YouTube video on how to load the foilers here.
   
   
2. Flux matters
   The type of flux you use will play a roll in how your solder binds to the copper foil. Flux is a cleaning agent that removes oxides off the surface of the foil and allows the solder to flow smoothly. If your solder is not flowing smoothly, apply more flux to your copper foil lines. Flux comes in a liquid, gel or a paste. At our store we have great success with the Classic 100 gel flux! 
   
   
3. Treat yo' self - Get the good iron
   If you're serious about leveling up your stained glass projects, investing in a good soldering iron makes a world of difference. Standard 60/40 solder melts at around 375°F, and stained glass soldering irons are designed to maintain a working temperature of about 700°F to keep the solder flowing smoothly. However, not all soldering irons are created equal — some don't deliver enough consistent power to meet the demands of stained glass work. While any iron is better than none, upgrading to a high-quality iron can dramatically improve the look and flow of your solder lines. Two of the leading soldering irons in the stained glass industry are the Hakko FX-601 and the Weller 100-watt iron.
   

At the end of the day, smoother solder lines come from building good habits at every stage — from better cutting and intentional foiling to flux choices and using the right tools. Remember, the goal isn't perfect soldering — it's neat soldering. A neat, consistent finish will always look beautiful, even if it’s not 100% flawless. Be kind to yourself, keep practicing, and watch your skills grow with every project!

Thank you for reading & happy crafting!

With gratitude,
Lucent Glass