Educate Me On Blowing.

suTraGrow

Well-Known Member
Glass blowing with a desk and torch or a lathes has always fascinated me. Never really had any time for it due to a fast moving military life then, afterward setting up a civilian life.

But now that i got school balanced out as well as my personal life i finally think its time :-D. I already took a class on blowing glass in my local community college, and build a decently sized ventilated shop by my garage. (pics soon to come) but i believe i would much rather take a few tips from stoners in the industry ;)
So let me know is there any tips or trick you would like to share before i start ordering a new torch, kiln, tools, material etc.. Any specific brands sizes, maybe something special or extra you use to make it a bit less tedious
A website to buy equipment or material at at a good price, a special brand of a certain part or tool. A trick that that you suggest doing in a certain scenario. Maybe some words from the wise to the newbies at glassblowing.
We're all Ears
 

Jonnychron

Active Member
I read a post on here buy a girl who went out and bought all the glass blowing equipment and taught herself. Try and do a search for it, it was really in depth and she posted all of her work as she was learning.
 

fdd2blk

Well-Known Member
torch and kiln are the biggest investment. i have a bunch of odds and ends i'm always willing to share. maybe a random graphite paddle or a box of color shorts. networking with other blowers will gain you a lot of experience. simply watching others work will open doors for you.

i prefer GTT triple mix torches. i'm running a Mirage, ... http://www.glasstorchtech.com/torches.html

paragon kilns are well known and respected as well. the f-130 is working out really well for me, ... http://www.paragonweb.com/Glass_Kilns.cfm

a lot of the working techniques are really easy, as far as steps to perform them go. it just takes a lot of practice to get it right. self teaching as not that hard to do when it comes to working with glass. i myself took a few "pointer lessons" and pretty much taught myself the rest.
 

suTraGrow

Well-Known Member
I read a post on here buy a girl who went out and bought all the glass blowing equipment and taught herself. Try and do a search for it, it was really in depth and she posted all of her work as she was learning.
I've read it already ;)
But as this is the glass house forum i decided to make another informative thread about it for others to reference to.
 

suTraGrow

Well-Known Member
torch and kiln are the biggest investment. i have a bunch of odds and ends i'm always willing to share. maybe a random graphite paddle or a box of color shorts. networking with other blowers will gain you a lot of experience. simply watching others work will open doors for you.

i prefer GTT triple mix torches. i'm running a Mirage, ... http://www.glasstorchtech.com/torches.html

paragon kilns are well known and respected as well. the f-130 is working out really well for me, ... http://www.paragonweb.com/Glass_Kilns.cfm
Awesome then hopefully this can turn into a informative thread.
I've been watching you as well as other glass blowers on the webcam from this forum from time to time when your all live and on fire :-D Learned a couple things from thats for sure.Mostly how to maneuver the hot glass and mix colors in.

Oh mans i can see by what you mean biggest investments. Jeez the Viper is $7000. The kilns don't look to expensive.

What ya think about the phantom 4stud? would leave me a little more cash for a nice kiln as well as other accessories i might need.
Any specific items you would suggest buying before i get started?
 

tryingtogrow89

Well-Known Member
torch and kiln are the biggest investment. i have a bunch of odds and ends i'm always willing to share. maybe a random graphite paddle or a box of color shorts. networking with other blowers will gain you a lot of experience. simply watching others work will open doors for you.

i prefer GTT triple mix torches. i'm running a Mirage, ... http://www.glasstorchtech.com/torches.html

paragon kilns are well known and respected as well. the f-130 is working out really well for me, ... http://www.paragonweb.com/Glass_Kilns.cfm

a lot of the working techniques are really easy, as far as steps to perform them go. it just takes a lot of practice to get it right. self teaching as not that hard to do when it comes to working with glass. i myself took a few "pointer lessons" and pretty much taught myself the rest.
Can you use oxygen and Acetylene torch?
 

fdd2blk

Well-Known Member
Awesome then hopefully this can turn into a informative thread.
I've been watching you as well as other glass blowers on the webcam from this forum from time to time when your all live and on fire :-D Learned a couple things from thats for sure.Mostly how to maneuver the hot glass and mix colors in.

Oh mans i can see by what you mean biggest investments. Jeez the Viper is $7000. The kilns don't look to expensive.

What ya think about the phantom 4stud? would leave me a little more cash for a nice kiln as well as other accessories i might need.
Any specific items you would suggest buying before i get started?
a phantom would be a really good starter torch. they hold their resell value. getting rid of them, as long as it was well kept, usually isn't a problem.


a "4 stud" torch has 2 gas lines and 2 oxygen lines. this gives you the option of using a foot pedal with it. it has an inner and outer flame, a foot pedal controls turning the outer flame on and off without using your hands. it's not necessary, but when you do get one you will love it. you can T into the hose so you don't need the foot pedal right away.

i have a HUGE drawer full of tools, i keep 3 on my work bench. ;) a puddle, a reamer and a bowl push. anything else is just clutter for me.
 

fdd2blk

Well-Known Member
Can you use oxygen and Acetylene torch?
i started out with a cutting torch clamped into a vice. it works, but acetylene burns "greasy". just lighting the torch inside was leaving black soot everywhere. within a few days a was using propane on a different torch. using the cutting torch did give me a "feel" of what i would be working with. it was enough to "hook" me. :hump:
 

tryingtogrow89

Well-Known Member
i started out with a cutting torch clamped into a vice. it works, but acetylene burns "greasy". just lighting the torch inside was leaving black soot everywhere. within a few days a was using propane on a different torch. using the cutting torch did give me a "feel" of what i would be working with. it was enough to "hook" me. :hump:
Well then i think i will use it for popping my cherry in the glass blowing field.
I know a few local blowers that can shoot me some pointers if needed but i think my experience with welding wont be to far off from glass.... right? i don't know if you know, lol
 

suTraGrow

Well-Known Member
a phantom would be a really good starter torch. they hold their resell value. getting rid of them, as long as it was well kept, usually isn't a problem.


a "4 stud" torch has 2 gas lines and 2 oxygen lines. this gives you the option of using a foot pedal with it. it has an inner and outer flame, a foot pedal controls turning the outer flame on and off without using your hands. it's not necessary, but when you do get one you will love it. you can T into the hose so you don't need the foot pedal right away.

i have a HUGE drawer full of tools, i keep 3 on my work bench. ;) a puddle, a reamer and a bowl push. anything else is just clutter for me.
Awesome! i think i'm gonna go with the phantom 4 stud then. Since its running 2 gas 2 oxygen do i just pick and choose which was i want to run correct?
I have been looking at a couple oxygen generator online as well any specific one you would suggest. If they are need of course. I was gonna get a foot pedal :-D Good to know it make it that much easier one less thing i would have to worry about. Can just concentrate on the technique.

If your ever interested in selling any tools or accessories let me know. Rather put the cash in a fellow glass blowers pocket. Then some website.
 

suTraGrow

Well-Known Member
Well then i think i will use it for popping my cherry in the glass blowing field.
I know a few local blowers that can shoot me some pointers if needed but i think my experience with wielding wont be to far off from glass.... right? i don't know if you know, lol
I'm in the same boat as you bro. :-D
Know a few people from class but most of them are just starting out as well hehe.
 

tryingtogrow89

Well-Known Member
I'm in the same boat as you bro. :-D
Know a few people from class but most of them are just starting out as well hehe.
yeah for sure, i mean i know working with melted glass there are probably differences in time/temps needed for melting point and time for cooling, then getting down the whole blowing part, i once got to make myself some dichroic glass plugs but it was a long time ago and i was ripped and had some help. I do have extensive welding experience though.
 

suTraGrow

Well-Known Member
yeah for sure, i mean i know working with melted glass there are probably differences in time/temps needed for melting point and time for cooling, then getting down the whole blowing part, i once got to make myself some dichroic glass plugs but it was a long time ago and i was ripped and had some help. I do have extensive wielding experience though.
Very nice. You seem to have a better hand at it already then me.
 

fdd2blk

Well-Known Member
i welded before i blew glass. a lot of it carries over.

kitty built a really nice oxygen concentrator. maybe we can get him to pop in. :cool:
 

fdd2blk

Well-Known Member
i bought 4 oxygen bottles off craiglist. paid 100 - 150 each for them. i own them now. i pay less then 10 dollars to fill each one. a pipe or two pays to fill all 4. if i went to a liquid bottle it would be even cheaper.

there are several options to work with when it comes to oxygen. each works best in it's own situation.
 

suTraGrow

Well-Known Member
i've never used one. i'm not familiar with them at all. i know it often takes more then one to run your torch. or you can get the compressor that allows you to fill bottles with it.
That's another great idea :-D
Where would i find one of those? Hmm gonna have to look around for one. Wonder what price range they go for.
 
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