Hi Bob, I use alot of stained glass in my sculptures and mount it in different ways. For my large outdoor pieces (you can see them in my web site www.timetosteel.com, I shape 1/2'' flat strap the way I want it, weld 1/8'' rod inside that shape, at the edge, then insert the glass and use silicone to hold it in place. It holds up well, as far as I can tell. The oldest pieces are now several years old and have handled heat, snow and hail well. If the glass gets broken, it is easy to remove the silicon and replace the glass. The smaller pieces I do, I treat like regular stained glass work. I wrap the glass with copper foil tape and solder it in place. Lin

Bob,

ONe of the important things to keepin mind when combining differeing materials is the differences in coefficients of thermal expansion. Also electrolytic corrosion potential. Flexible mounts are generally better than rigid, and electrolytic isolation of differing metals is a good plan, too.

Rivets, when carefully set, can be a semi-flexible mounting method. So can threaded fasteners. Welded, brazed, or soldered joints are rigid, and more subject to damage from expansion/contraction that flexible joints.

When joining wood and metal, there is a potential for rust-staining of the wood. I try to use stainless steel for these situations whenever possible, or impregnate the wood with cyanoacrylate or other polymer stabilizer prior to joining.

These a re a couple of things that come to mind right off. As I think of more, I'll post them.

Rich

Thanks to all of you. I will post a couple of the sketches I'm beginning to work on....and then of course work in progress.