Ah!
See, if I tried using a torch to melt lead for stained glass I'd have a lot of shattered glass. The closest I come is to use a tiny butane torch to supplement the soldering iron now and then, and even so I sometimes crack a piece of glass in the process. (Generally I just use the torch on the iron itself, but sometimes I forget and hit the bead I'm working on with bad results.)

Interestingly, I've found that if I use the torch to heat up the glass from green traffic lenses that the glass permanently discolors into yellow and brown. No idea what they use to make the color, but it oxidizes in interesting ways.

Mostly what I use the torch for, though, is to use silver solder to join pieces of brass and bronze together to make frameworks for the stained glass. I use plain brazing rod or brass bar stock that I've bent and cut. Fun stuff...
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Tue 14 Dec 2010, 23:31, Reply)