Foiling is the worst part... will AI help?

For those of you who don't know what foiling is, here's a quick video showing the process:

It's basically wrapping the glass in metal tape, but like, super carefully. So to improve my skills, but most of all my speed, I'm going to ask ChatGPT to gives me 10 tips on how to foil glass. I'll keep you in the loop of any funny A.I mishaps too.

So here's the A.I's response to me asking: make me a list of 10 things the help me put copper foil on stained glass pieces.

Certainly! Applying copper foil to stained glass pieces requires precision and the right tools. Here's a list of 10 things that can help you in the process:

1. Copper Foil Tape:

- Choose a high-quality copper foil tape that is appropriate for the thickness of your glass pieces. Common widths include 3/16", 7/32", and 1/4".

2. Glass Cutter:

- Use a glass cutter to score and cut your glass pieces to the desired shapes. Make sure the edges are smooth and free from chips.

3. Pattern and Glass Pieces:

- Have a clear and accurate pattern for your stained glass project. Cut your glass pieces according to the pattern.

4. Flux:

- Apply flux to the edges of the glass pieces before foiling. Flux helps the solder adhere to the copper foil and promotes a clean, even solder line.

5. Flux Brush:

- Use a small brush to apply flux evenly along the edges of the glass. A fine brush allows for better control and precision.

6. Burnisher:

- A burnisher helps smooth and press the copper foil tightly against the glass, ensuring good adhesion. It's especially useful for curved or intricate shapes.

7. Foiling Machine or Dispenser (Optional):

- If you're working on a large project, a foiling machine or dispenser can make the process faster and more efficient by applying the foil evenly.

8. Foiling Pliers:

- Foiling pliers are designed to help you press the copper foil tightly around the glass edges. They often have a curved jaw that conforms to the shape of the glass.

9. Patina:

- After soldering, apply a patina to the solder lines to give your project a finished look. Patina also helps protect the solder from oxidation.

10. Polishing Compound and Cloth:

- Polish the finished stained glass piece with a suitable polishing compound and cloth to remove any residue and bring out the shine in the solder and glass.

Remember to take your time and work carefully, especially when applying the copper foil, as a clean and precise application will contribute to the overall quality of your stained glass project.

Lets' go over why these tipes aren't exactly the right fit for me.. or anyone really.

1. Although the quality of your copper foil tape is important, it's more of a "it absolutely won't work at all if it's wrong" kind of deal, so not super helpful here. Also, so true that they come in different sizes, but it'd be nice to know what width is best with what thickness of glass.

2. This has nothing to do with foiling. Moving on,

3. Neither does this.

4. Here's where things start to get interesting. ChatGPT is telling me to flux my glass before foiling it, because it helps the solder stick to the foil. The only problem is, if I flux the glass, inside the foil, the solder won't touch it. So no, we don't and shouldn't flux the glass.

5. True, but has nothing to do with foiling.

6. Amazing! First good piece of information! I do have one of these, and I use it 99% of the time. So far I'm smarter than artificial intelligence.

7. Another point for AI! I do not have one of these, and I desperately need one. I might try DIYing one for the sake of this blog. Basically it's a holder/dispenser for the copper foil. In my life with two cats, keeping the ends of the foil from hanging is very important.

8. I have never heard of these, but they sound legit. Hold on, let me Google it.

Negative points for AI, foiling pliers don't exist :(

9-10. Patina and polishing comes after soldering, we're skipping some steps here bud.

Okay so overall not impressed with the AI generated tips, luckily my foiling skills, although slow, are precise. See you next time!