People have created art from stained glass since time immemorial. When you walk into historical monuments, churches, or mosques, huge stained glass windows and other artifacts welcome you. You can’t help but stand in awe at the sight of those! I lose myself in its glory and beauty, and bet you do too!
More and more people have started developing a keen interest in learning how to create art from stained glass. As a beginner, stained glass starter kits will help you dive into this hobby and improve your skill significantly.
Buying the perfect starter kit can be a daunting task, which is why we prepared a list of the Best Stained Glass Starter Kit in 2021 to help you guide through your buying process without letting you make any compromise!
Best Stained Glass Starter Kit in 2021
1- Professional 16 Pieces Mosaic tile and Stained Glass Start-up Tool Kit
If you are just getting started on your journey with stained glass, this is the ideal choice for you. This IMT Mosaic Tile and Stained Glass Start-up Tool Set is a popular choice among beginners owing to its comfort and ease of use.
It has an excellent array of 16 tools for you to try that are vital for making stained glass. It contains four glass cutters of mixed styles, three different pliers, a leading knife, tweezers, glazing hammer, cutting square, fid, small suction cup, lead vise came, safety glasses, and protective gloves. All these tools have different functions to perform to help you with stained glass.
This set also comes with an included carrying case to store the tools. Most users found it affordable, handy, and durable.
One of the most frequently asked questions about this kit was if the running pliers have rubber pads. It was found that there are no rubber pads in the business end of the running pliers.
Our take on the product: If you need a set that comes with a wide range of products and is affordable, this is the set for you! It can be the perfect start to your journey with stained glass! Buying a kit with many tools is better than purchasing individual tools.
2- Professional 13 Pieces Mosaic tile and Stained Glass Start-up Tool Set
“Thrive for precision, perfection will follow.” This set helps you turn this quote into reality. The tools provided by this kit will allow you to cut and break glass with utmost precision.
It provides a collection of 13 pieces of tools like three mixed pliers, four glass cutters of different styles, a glazing hammer, a small suction cup, safety glasses, protective gloves, etc. It is lightweight that makes it appropriate for indoor as well as outdoor settings.
This toolset is compatible with both professionals and beginners owing to its handy tools that guarantee excellent results. It is accompanied by a carrying case to store the tools.
3- Ultimate Stained Glass Start-Up Kit
This kit proves to be an excellent choice among amateurs and professionals alike! It is cut out for different purposes making it suitable for all users. The Ultimate Stained Glass Start-up Kit is a high-end product that is easy to use, maintain, and clean.
It offers a broad spectrum of a whopping 27 tools including Glastar Superstar II glass grinder, flux, flux brush, flux removers, soldering iron stand, and running pliers among many others. The glass grinder is a great investment due to its powerful motor and large work surface. The Hakko soldering iron is energy efficient and can work for longer duration.
In addition to offering basic tools, it also consists of advanced tools like the homasote board that you may require for your future projects.
The kit gives utmost importance to safety as it delivers safety glasses, a face shield with a lens, and an instruction manual. The excellent assortment of tools included in this kit makes it an impressive choice. It offers all the possible tools you would require to make tasks simple!
Although the image on Amazon shows that the grinder is of Studio Pro brand, the actual product belongs to Glastar. This product has received warm reviews by verified buyers on Amazon making it reliable and trust-worthy.
4- Stained Glass Start-Up Kit
If you are exploring and experimenting with stained glass, the Stained Glass Start-Up Kit by Dolphi Glass Store might help. This kit is ideal if you’re newly stepping into the world of stained glass. It guarantees maximum savings.
The start-up kit consists of 13 different tools, out of which several are renowned brands like the Weller 100 watt soldering iron, Gryphette glass grinder, etc. It has an in-buit temperature controller that is responsible for maintaining temperature evenly. The tools are easy to use and award distinguished results.
It also has a Stained Glass Made Easy DVD to help you learn and educate yourself as it contains different ideas to get the best results. It is medium-priced and is handy indoors as well as outdoors.
The seller also provides information that will link you to various websites for instructions regarding the tools. A lot of the reviews about this toolkit appreciated the eco-friendly packaging of the product and liked receiving a thank you note from the seller.
5- Beginner Best Stained Glass Kit
A beginner-friendly kit will allow you to enjoy all that stained glass has to offer. One such kit is this kit by Nartique Glass brand. It weighs less that makes it ideal for indoor and outdoor workspace.
The exact number of pieces that it offers is not known. Although, it does offer a glass cutter, beginner pattern flux brush, cutting fluid fetcher, and safety glasses. The Hakko Red soldering iron does not have a temperature controller.
Additionally, it provides a Solder Stained Glass Basics Book to guide you through the basics of soldering and welding. This will help you work on stained glass without any prior experience or knowledge.
It also includes a variety of stained glass pieces of approximately 1 lb to help you get aboard the idea of stained glass. However, over time you will need more glass pieces if you want to make something bigger. It does not include a grinder which you may need once you decide to try something advanced.
6- Deluxe Stained Glass Tool Kit
This kit proves to be a fine choice for newbies to learn and grow with. Deluxe Stained Glass Tool Kit is affordable and offers a great assortment of tools.
It equips Supercutter glass cutter, Weller 100 Watt soldering iron, Studio Pro breaker, running pliers, flux, flux remover, safety glasses, etc. The use of Weller soldering iron makes it fit for medium and heavy implementation. The comprehensive combination of hand tools provide all vital pieces to develop your new found hobby.
Supercutters and Studio Pro are well reputed and reliable brands that are an added benefit. Necessary tools like copper foil, fid, and burnisher will help you begin your stained glass project.
7- Deluxe Stained Glass Start-Up Kit (15 Items)
This kit could be your perfect friend with just the right set of tools. It is affordable and lets you have your dream stained glass starter kit! The sellers have come up with a terrific combination of their favorite tools and designed this admirable toolkit.
Deluxe Stained Glass Start-Up Kit offers a collection of 15 tools that could be ideal to break the ice between you and your newfound hobby! It includes Glastar Superstar II grinder, Weller soldering iron, flux, flux remover, ruler, marking pen, safety glasses, splash guard among other tools.
This combination of tools makes the kit ideal for beginners and a popular choice among them. It is fit for light to medium-sized implementation.There are no product reviews on Amazon.
Stained Glass Starter Kit Buying Guide
1- Price of the Kit:
Before making a rash decision, check the prices of available items. Match to see if they are compatible with your budget.
You can purchase an expensive kit with countless tools. But if you don’t know how to use most of the tools, you have spent a lot on nothing. Make informed decisions by considering all options.
Read through all the reviews and predict whether the products will give you your money’s worth.
2- Tools and Supplies Included:
Look into all the tools and supplies that a kit offers. It should consist of all the necessary tools. Some starter kits provide glass packages of different colors and sizes for you to explore and use. Buying glass separately can be costly and as a beginner, you may want to keep your investment minimum.
If the material of the tools is poor, you will struggle while working on glass. The quality of tools will have an impact on the quality of your project. Cheap tools could destroy your glass, or worse, hurt you. Always buy superior quality products.
Also ensure that the tools are basic because as a beginner, you might get confused if you directly begin working on stained glass using complex tools. If you think you will continue your hobby and try to be more efficient, then it will be smart to choose the set that is suitable for advanced projects as well.
3- Educational Material and Guides:
Some toolkits provide teaching material to educate new users about the functions of different tools. They also consist of simple patterns to make on the stained glass.
Certain toolkits contain books, manuals, and DVDs which prove to be extremely helpful for beginners. More and more sellers are attaching links to useful websites for beginners. It will be smart to go through all instructions before trying to use tools incorrectly.
4- Safety Precautions:
For an inexperienced person, directly using tools can be dangerous. Protecting your hands and eyes is important to keep you safe.
Take note of whether or not the starter kits provide gloves and other protective accessories to reduce the risk of cut or burn.
5- Size and Weight:
If you want to work with a portable starter kit, you need to ensure that the starter kit is lightweight. Check the specifications mentioned in the product’s description to make a wise choice.
It is tough to move bulky items from one place to another. It also becomes difficult to store large items. The carrying case is usually insufficient to store the tools.
You may have a lot of questions regarding your new chosen hobby. We tried answering a few Frequently Asked Questions:
1- What safety precautions should be taken while using stained glass?
Little shreds of glass pieces can get into your eyes and skin and cause irreversible damage. Using protective gear should be a priority for beginners as well as professionals.
Most toolkits include glasses, gloves, and headgear to prevent tiny pieces of glass from hurting you. Additionally, the dust residue from working on the glass is harmful to your body. Wearing a mask and apron is recommended. Do not use tools that you don’t know to use. Watch videos or read instructions before using dangerous tools.
2- Is stained glass an expensive hobby?
All hobbies cost something. Some cost time and effort, while some cost money. Buying supplies for stained glass can be a little expensive especially when you don’t know what you are looking for. If you are willing to invest in it, it is rewarding.
The initial expenditure may go up to 150$ that includes the cost of glass and other basic tools. The decision to purchase more tools is personal and may vary depending on how you decide to continue this hobby.
To do it more professionally, you will definitely need state-of-the-art tools to match your skills and interest. If you are enthusiastic about continuing the hobby, more supplies are waiting for you.
3- Which tools do you need to start working on glass?
First and foremost, ensure that you have the right type of glass. You will then need different equipment to measure, cut, weld, and shape the glass.
Hammers and pliers are among the basic tools. Identify the purpose of using stained glass because that will determine the tools you will need. Other than that, you need a ruler, paper, and pencils to measure and mark. Protective gear is mandatory to ensure safety.
4- How difficult is it to learn stained glass?
Every hobby needs practice. To master this art, you need lots and lots of experience, and that will only come by practice. Once you learn how to begin, we bet you wouldn’t want to stop. All you need is dedication and the interest to learn more.
The willingness to learn and being brave enough to try new things will take you places. You will enjoy working on the stained glass as you learn more about the art.
Conclusion
“There is joy in being a beginner.” We know you have discovered this joy and want to explore it. It may be difficult to attain perfection immediately, but you must remember that ‘every expert was once a beginner.’
When you are new to an experience, you are open to the challenges that accompany them. Having the correct perspective will make this experience rewarding. Creating art on stained glass will push you to try new things. The best starter kit will be like a perfect companion to a beginner.
There are so many kits with so many tools that can confuse potential buyers. For someone who is new to stained glass, the extensive variety available can be overwhelming. But your hobby shouldn’t exhaust you, it should help you relax.
We understand that it is a time-consuming task to choose the best starter kit, which is why we have prepared a list of the 7 Best Stained Glass Starter Kit in 2021 to make this task simple and quicker for you!