_Next PageDifferent people use different methods to construct their panels. Each has its advantages; there is no one method that is right or wrong.
The method I use is to cut a few pieces at a time, grind fit and foil. I then do another clump, about another 5-10 pieces or so. I like this method because when I'm all done cutting I'm ready to solder. The bad thing about this method, is I can't adjust the foiled pieces if one of the other pieces doesn't fit right.
The next method is to cut all the pieces, then grind all the pieces, then foil, place and solder. It is good that you can adjust pieces on the fly, but it's difficult to cut around pieces that might not fit perfectly the first time.
One of the more popular methods is to cut and grind all the pieces and to foil last before soldering. I use this method for suncatchers, and boxes. I don't like it for larger things though, mainly because you can lose pieces at the end. An advantage of this method is that it is nice to be able to adjust pieces on the fly. For instance, if the main subject is a tree, and you have the sky foiled, you would have to modify the tree. Or if the subject is more important, like a persons finger (you can't clip that), it's better to trim the sky more. If you have already foiled these pieces, can't trim the sky until you have UN-foiled then RE-foiled it. With this method, you can keep trimming until everything looks right.
A good way to do your foiling is to plop yourself down in front of the TV and foil your heart out because foiling is a boring job and watching TV puts your mind onto something else.
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Started on 9-22-98