I’ve had a frustrating time researching for my project, as I just can’t seem to find anyone with the tools I need. So there are two specific ideas I know I want to try first, before moving into any other materials.
Wooden lightboxes
The first idea I want to try is using a CNC router to cut a wooden frame. I have seen an awesome stained glass artist, Spike Martin, in America cutting their own lightboxes with a CNC router. His Instagram page is https://www.instagram.com/spike__martin/ These pictures below are from his social media, showing his process.
I saw him doing this before my grant application and so I wanted to create something similar. CNC allows you to create more fluid and custom shapes, rather than relying on picture frames which is what I had previously used. I knew my old university used to have one so I thought it would be easy to find somewhere that I could hire one and that all I would have to do is learn CAD software so I could design the grames myself. However, it seems like the only places I can find who have these machines are large scale manufacturers who have no interest in working with me for a small prototype, as they only do large commercial runs.
Social media requests have so far gone unanswered for recommendations. Google searches only find these large companies. I was on my way to Toolstation in Middleton last week and saw a nearby company who were Leitz Tooling, a leading manufacturer and supplier of precision machine tooling for the woodworking industry. The owner was again unable to help as they only service the machines, not use them. He suggested I contact local joiners and carpenters who may have a machine, rather than companies.
I have found a few companies who sell CNCs – https://www.vwm.co.uk/category/cnc-routers/, https://completecnc.co.uk/, https://ooznest.co.uk/ etc. The prices range significantly from just over £1.5k to £10k+ and beyond. The lower end of this scale are for very small CNC routers that wouldn’t make anything particularly impressive in scale. However, it could be an option for the purpose of creating the prototype I want to make.
An instagram search did allow me to find a man called Tim Dalton (https://www.instagram.com/batched_on_hillgate) who is quite local in Stockport. He makes furniture, often with a CNC router. I’ve no idea if he would hire his machine, offer any technician help etc. However, I have sent him an email making contact so watch this space.
Sheet metal frame
The second idea that I feel has real potential to house stained glass is using sheet metal. I saw a super trendy idea for storing LPs on a wall.
Flate have a small range of these 12 x 12 inch wall mounted vinyl racks which are lifted away from the wall to allow people to store up to 12 LPs and then slide one of them in the front so it becomes a piece of art on the wall. Its a beautiful looking way of storing records. But for me – this would be potentially a great way to display glass. It could be slid into the front and then a light inserted at the back. However, these from Flate, as they are specifically for vinyls, they only come in one size. I want to be able to customise and create different sizes and shapes.
So to create this type of thing needs a single sheet of metal and a ‘metal press break’ machine to cut and fold it as required. So similar again to the issue with the CNC router – I can’t find a metal press break anywhere that isn’t in a large manufacturer who wont take on such a small project.
So I’m feeling a little deflated at not being able to find the machines or the people who will help me. Of course, I will continue looking. But just putting the process so far on paper to remember where I’ve come from along the way.