When I decided to finally try stained glass, I had no idea what I actually needed. Every YouTube video seemed to recommend different tools, and every Reddit thread had a different opinion on what was worth buying. I’m a firm believer in the “buy once, cry once” philosophy, so I wanted equipment that would last for years instead of leaving me wanting an upgrade after a few projects.
I knew stained glass wouldn’t be a cheap hobby to start, and I certainly didn’t expect it to be inexpensive to maintain. Even so, I was a little surprised when I added up the final total.
Below is everything I purchased to get started with stained glass and actually use, along with what I paid for each item in 2026.
A quick disclaimer: You absolutely do not need everything on this list to begin making stained glass. Many beginners start with far less. However, the below items I’ve purchased have proven useful, are well-made, and are something I would buy again. I don’t regret any of these purchases, and my goal was to build a setup that I wouldn’t outgrow anytime soon.
The Beginner’s Kit from Anything in Stained Glass: $445.95 plus shipping
I wish I had found this kit earlier in my search because it contained almost every major tool I was looking for. Instead of researching and purchasing each item individually, I was able to get most of my basic equipment in one place.
I chose the Grinder 2 option, but Anything in Stained Glass offers several different grinder options, so the price will vary depending on which one you choose.
The kit included:
- Techniglass The Grinder 2
- Hakko FX-601 Temperature Controlled Iron
- Soldering Iron Stand
- Toyo Pistol Grip SuperCutter
- Breaker/Grozer Pliers
- Running Pliers
- Gel Flux, 8 oz.
- Flux Brush
- Novacan Black Patina, 8 oz.
- Novacan Cutter Oil, 8 oz.
- 1 lb. 60/40 Solder
- 7/32″ Copper Foil
- 7/32″ Black Backed Copper Foil
- Plastic Burnisher/Fid
- Red Sharpie Glass Marking Pen
- 18 Gauge Copper Tin Wire
- 6 square feet of Mystery Glass
- Stained Glass Instruction Book
- Free Patterns and Tip Sheet
For me, this was the easiest way to get started because I did not have to worry about forgetting one of the major tools. I also liked that I could choose the specific grinder I wanted instead of buying a kit with a grinder I would eventually want to replace.
Grinder 2 Add Ons: $118.80
Since I was already spending a significant amount on the grinder, I decided to add a few accessories that I thought would make it easier to use.
- Grinder 2 Splash Guard Kit: $24.95
- Grinder 2 Lumishield Kit: $43.95
- Grinder 2 Elevated Work Surface: $21.95
- Techniglass MiniG 1/4″ and 1/8″ Grinder Bit: $27.95
Some of these are definitely more of a “nice to have” than a requirement for someone just starting out. If you are trying to keep your initial cost as low as possible, this is one area where you could spend less.
Everything Else I Bought
After the kit and grinder accessories, I still had quite a few smaller things to pick up. Some were supplies I knew I would need, while others were inexpensive items that I decided would make working with stained glass easier.
- Homasote Board: $39.99, Amazon
I bought Homasote to use as my work surface for assembling pieces. It gives me a flat surface where I can pin my pieces in place while I work.
- 16 Gauge Solderable Tinner Copper Wire, 4 oz.: $16.92, Amazon
I bought this for structural support and for adding wire details to some of my projects.
- LITMIND 24 Sheets Transparent Streaky Stained Glass Sheets: $39.99, Amazon
This was the inexpensive glass I bought specifically for practicing. I wanted something I could cut and grind without worrying about wasting expensive art glass while I was still learning.
- Creators Waffle Grid: $16.98, Amazon
This has been great for catching all the small shards of glass while cutting.
- HSK A2 LED Tracing Light Box: $59.99, Amazon
I bought a light box because I wanted an easier way to trace and work with my patterns. This has also been useful for seeing the lines through opaque pieces of glass.
- Chapstick, 3 Pack: $3.99, Amazon
This is one of those random stained glass purchases that sounds ridiculous, but it really does make a difference in preventing the Sharpie from rubbing off while grinding.
- Hakko Tip Cleaning Brass Coil and Holder: $11.79, Anything in Stained Glass
A small purchase, but one I use regularly to keep my soldering iron tip clean. This was actually a game changer in how smooth my solder lines turned out.
- Pliers: $8.99, Amazon
I bought an inexpensive pair of pliers for cutting/bending wire and chain.
- Cut Resistant Gloves: $15.99, Amazon
Glass is sharp, and after going through a whole box of band-aids, I found these to also be a worthwhile purchase.
- Eye Protection: $11.99, Amazon
Another inexpensive safety purchase that I consider essential. I’ve already had several small pieces of glass fly up and hit the lenses while I’ve been cutting.
- Pledge: $5.70, Grocery Store
I use Pledge when cleaning and polishing my finished pieces.
- Black and Silver Sharpies: $5.00, Grocery Store
I use these for marking glass and patterns.
So, How Much Did It Cost to Start Stained Glass?
Adding everything together, I spent $806.06 on my initial stained glass setup.
About a month after these initial purchases, I found that I already needed to visit my local glass store (where I spent over $500 on glass for my next few projects) and I purchased 5 more rolls of solder and copper foil since I had run out. While tools are a buy-once purchase, the ongoing materials needed for this hobby are not cheap. There are ways to keep the costs down, such as scouring Facebook marketplace for deals on materials, but living in a rural mountain area, this just isn’t really a practical option for me.