Educate Me On Blowing.

S

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
 
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.
 
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.
 
Jonnychron said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
fdd2blk said:
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
Click to expand...

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?
 
fdd2blk said:
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.
Click to expand...
Can you use oxygen and Acetylene torch?
 
suTraGrow said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
tryingtogrow89 said:
Can you use oxygen and Acetylene torch?
Click to expand...

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:
 
fdd2blk said:
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:
Click to expand...
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
 
fdd2blk said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
tryingtogrow89 said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
suTraGrow said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
tryingtogrow89 said:
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.
Click to expand...
Very nice. You seem to have a better hand at it already then me.
 
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:
 
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.
 
fdd2blk said:
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.
Click to expand...
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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