beauvine wrote:
Hi, I do soldering associated with my stained-glass work. What I'm
wondering is, what's the difference between soldering and welding, especially
in terms of strength...? I'd like to make some stained-glass-topped metal
tables, but what relatively-little I've seen about welding makes it seem
super-expensive, dangerous, and generally daunting.

Apologies if this is a stupid question, but what can I say, "Inquiring minds
want to know" LOL!

Thanks for your patience, and whatever info you might wish to share with me
=:-)

Ive done stained glass assembly with lead camions and ive also done a
lot of stainless steel welding using arc and an inert gas shield ,called
argon.
I think i might be able to help you decide whats the best way forward
it might just be that its better for you to to concentrate on your glass
work and get someone else to do the s/steel welding and assembly for you
to your design.
A table inherently needs a firm flat surface for its use, and a stained
glass panel when laid flat without support is inherently going to sag in
the middle from its own weight let alone in use .
so as someone else has suggested, you would need a clear glass table top
undereneath you stained glass panel to provide the neccesary support.
If it were me, id do something quite different with the stained glass
table top.
This is what id do, using all glass and no lead.
Id take a clear glass sheet and lay the stained glass on it to the
design id want. have a border around it like on double glazing, then
pour a clear resin over it all with another clear glass sheet on top.
When illuminated from the underneath would look stunning and be
structurally sound.
hope this helps.
ted
in Dorset
UK.