Old texts on glazing

[Windows]

If anyone recalls where they have read about the traditional processes of glazing a window, book titles or links would be most appreciated (also online only references). “Traditional” is probably anything 1970s or earlier I guess. I’m particularly interested in whether there’s any that describe applying wooden beading, but putty-only descriptions also welcome.

 

[AndyT]

If anyone recalls where they have read about the traditional processes of glazing a window, book titles or links would be most appreciated (also online only references). “Traditional” is probably anything 1970s or earlier I guess. I’m particularly interested in whether there’s any that describe applying wooden beading, but putty-only descriptions also welcome.

Ok, here's a few from my shelves. These are all from the 1950s.

The Handyman and Home Mechanic, Odhams Press.







Handyman's How to Do It in Pictures, Odhams Press.



Teach Yourself House Repairs
Malcolm Stuart, English Universities Press.

 

[AndyT]

And here's Charles Hayward, remembering to include the details on wooden beads, in The Complete Handyman, Evans, 1960:

 

[Windows]

Thanks very much Andy!

 

[AndyT]

It's occurred to me that all those books are a bit brief and a bit modern.
If you don't mind a few hours reading to distract you from your projects, may I recommend "Every Man His Own Mechanic"?

It was tremendously popular in the 1880s and 90s and deserves (to my mind) some sort of award for the highest proportion of rambling verbiage to useful content. (But his digressions can be charming too.) The author, Francis Young, was also the editor of the periodicals "Work Illustrated" and "Amateur Work Illustrated" . The overall theme is that the careful householder, armed with a magazine subscription or a copy of the book, can see through the wily ways of deceitful tradesmen and do all sorts of jobs himself, for a fraction of the cost.

Here's the beginning of 16 pages on glazing, which even if it doesn't quite answer all your questions, will answer some you never thought of asking

Every man his own mechanic : a complete and comprehensive guide to every description of constructive and decorative work that may be done by the amateur artisan, at home and in the colonies ... : to which has been added an appendix ... : Young, Franc

x, 924 p., [1] folded leaf of plate :

archive.org

You can also download the whole book as a pdf from that link.

 

[Windows]

Every Man His Own Mechanic is an immersive read. I feel strongly now that I should order my glass to arrive at any railway station in England.

 

[Cabinetman]

About the only thing I can add is that sometimes on exterior doors that might slam in a wind they put a strip of chamois leather all the way around the glass, (bit like fitting a U section of plastic to a tenon saw blade). The glass panel was then held in place with a wood moulding and pins, quick wizz round with a blade to trim the leather back, presumably the leather gave just a bit of cushion to the glass as the door slammed.
Ian

 

[AndyP]

I have a very similar tome from the same era which includes illustrations on the correct attire for the home workshop

 

[AndyT]

I have a very similar tome from the same era which includes illustrations on the correct attire for the home workshop
View attachment 32882

I do thoroughly approve.

I started buying books like that one about 45 years ago, wanting to revise the basic, hand tool woodworking I learned at school. Now I feel I we are ahead of the curve and at risk of becoming fashionable!

 

[AndyP]

Mine is a hand-me-down probably from maternal grandfather. From a similar era I also have Everyman’s Lawyer and Everybody’s Best Friend, just look at some of the subjects covered in that one.

 

[AJB Temple]

Lovely thread. My grandfather (who fought on the Somme!) Showed me how to putty in glazing on the farm when I was very little. I loved handling the putty and it was very tempting to leave a finger impression in the soft putty after it had been smoothed.

 

[Bod1]

Handling putty....All I get is a sticky gluey mess. Shown by a painter and decorator, he could get the smooth handful, ready to "thumb" into the rebate, less than 20 seconds in my hand, stickly unusable mess!
Whats the secret?

Bod1

 

[Windows]

Three secrets that I know:
1. stick it in the fridge
2. wet your hands
3. mix it in the tub

In more detail:

Putty is sticky when it’s too oily. It can get too oily because the oil migrates to the surface. You can mix the oil back into it using a putty knife before you take it out of the tub.

Putty is temperature sensitive and softens with heat. If it is sticky or too loose because it’s too hot, stick it in the fridge for a bit.

Oil and water don’t mix, so you can prevent putty sticking to your hands by dipping them in water. The thin film of water will keep your hands cleaner. This is also a useful property for smoothing putty: dip your finger in water and use the slightly wet finger to smooth the surface of the putty.

 

[AndyT]

Another secret:

Pass it to the nearest child and tell him to knead it until it's ready.
Then wait 50-60 years until he can enjoy reminiscing about the experience!

 

[AndyP]

I once got caned at school for nicking the newly fixed putty from the classroom windows and lobbing it across the playground.
Thanks for the memories