Lampwork

[vape4health]

Yep, I all ways wanted to try out the glass thing. No I have no illusions of becoming the next great glass artist but it looks too cool so I'm getting a soft glass starter kit with a Hot Head torch. The kit I tried to order today is on backorder so I have a couple weeks to read. Its funny, I'm less intrested in the art but the mechanics of how they "build" the color stuff has me.

My plan is to see if I accually stick with it or if it just my next passing hobby, if it sticks I'll probably start looking at getting a duel fuel and boro.
Got any bead makers here with advice/tips/secret connections

 

[Tweek]

@Xchadb might be able to give you some tips.

 

[Caligula]

@charliedontsurf

 

[charliedontsurf]

Hey fellas, what I would advise is to watch several hundred hours of video on youtube and elsewhere before then taking a few classes. The internet has changed the way we learn and glassblowing is no exception. A few channels anyone with interest in glassblowing should check out are Revere Glass, Corning Glass Museum, PoelGeestglass. Revere Glass in particular has many videos extremely relevant to our interests which are illustrated high definition accompanied by excellent narration. For example:

I wouldn't bother with a Hothead. Your money is much better spent on actual beginner torches, such as the low end GTT's (Bobcat, cricket), Nortel Minor, or a National handtorch w/stand. Even a fisher-meker bunsen burner bought used locally or off Ebay will serve you better than a Hothead and has real value in the future.


http://www.talkglass.com/forum/forum.php
http://lampworketc.com/forums/

Those are the two forums I would recommend.

Safety first. Spend serious money on your ventilation system if you make a setup at home. Don't burn your house down just to find out that your insurance doesn't cover improperly set up glassblowing studios.

 

[vape4health]

@charliedontsurf thanks, never noticed you blow glass . So ditch the HH spend on ventilation and a torch, gotcha. I guess duel fuel wouldn't be bad, my house has natural gas and I'm pretty sure I have a newer o2 concentrator to use. I'll have to call that shop and see what they have in stock for real torches or at least cancel the HH. Shit gets expensive real quick.

Ventilation first! This is the forth time I have wanted an exhaust fan in the block garage, its about time I do it.

Hothead canceled, thanks CDS.

 

[vape4health]

Well I been informed that plan is shot to hell, natural gas is too low psi as is the healthcare o2 concentrator.

But good news well kinda, found an old friend with a full setup, all good stuff GTT, ???large kiln, tanks, tools, hood.... he is renting it all to someone but he informed me of a place in Pburgh that does lots of class only problem is I guess I'm a bit anti social or something cause going to classes or large groups anything like that getts me kinda weird good thing for internet videos The Pittsburgh Glass Center is not far from me, I'll have to just suck it up and go to some classes.

Edit: So now I'm looking at a Minor with lines gauges neo glasses some tools some glass the kit is under 500. Is that a more realistic starter kit. I still need tanks, a vent, a work bench. Maybe even a kiln one day. Any other things I need asap.

 

[vape4health]

Couldnt help myself, picked up a bead making kit at a hobby store. I have made and broke my first bead It was horribly miss shaped so after it cooled I tried to reheat it too quick and bam.

I'll continue to use this cheap torch while I get a permanent work space setup. That was the first time I have worked with hot glass and I like it. I took a picture but if you just imagine a mostly clear bead that is not round or or even or The mandrel hole is uniform

Now I'm really starting to read about different torches and stuff. This is probably the wrong site to post about this stuff so I'll take it to a glass site.

 

[SD_haze]

Couldnt help myself, picked up a bead making kit at a hobby store. I have made and broke my first bead It was horribly miss shaped so after it cooled I tried to reheat it too quick and bam.

I'll continue to use this cheap torch while I get a permanent work space setup. That was the first time I have worked with hot glass and I like it. I took a picture but if you just imagine a mostly clear bead that is not round or or even or The mandrel hole is uniform

Now I'm really starting to read about different torches and stuff. This is probably the wrong site to post about this stuff so I'll take it to a glass site.

No complaints here about glassblowing posts!

I don't mind living vicariously through you haha. Glassblowing has always been my pipe dream.

 

[vape4health]

Ok.
I tried some stupid stuff, added slyme green dots to a broken solo stem (looked good) yes I know different COE so it can't work, I'm just playing around. Here is a twisty I made. I know it's pretty fucking stupid but still its a first for me.


Im just trying to get a feel for it and repeat stuff from video's. I could waste untold amount of time just watching bead making, I'm in trouble once I get setup for boro.

 

[vape4health]

I jumped off the deep end, have a GTT Cheetah INSTOCK with all the fixings on order I have also sourced a 850cfm squirrel cage for free for a hood I have a sheet metal shop so
Tanks and a few holes in the wall and we jammin.

I still need to sorce a kiln to anneal but that can wait, everything I make now sucks and needs melted back down, as I understand non annealed glass can actually be dangerous

Im still just making crappy beads but everytime I melt I learn something.

 

[vape4health]

I got a few hours in. Made a few marble, spoons, random jank. Lots of learning and practice still needed.

Tjs_glass on Instagram if ya care to see.