who makes these tools?

[meadowesky]

http://cgi.ebay.com/GLASS-LAMPWORKING-GRAPHITE-TOOL-ASSORTMENT_W0QQitemZ270122323857QQihZ017QQcategory Z3101QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Headchange]

These tools are made in my shop by me and another disabled veteran. We try to present an assortment that is very versatile and that accommodates the needs of the beginner as well as the professional.

prolly china lol

[Pilgrim]

those look they are made in CHINA.....

[Braden Hammond]

the word of borat .....not so nice

[The Lorax]

lol, that picture isn't even that good and i can still see what a horrible finish is on those.

[somberbear]

wow i have seen home made ones better then that.

if you want good tools, weaver , menizes , herbie , and pub sci glass.....

good tools will last you ages and help you not have to adapt as much to make what you want.

[bc]

evan the 'big' paddle has a chip on it. two over an that paddle isn't even cut straight.

You get what you pay for.

[ech]

Notice that the reamers are square not octagonal.

[HumanLathe]

lol Those are some ghetto graphite tools, but I'm sure some one could something with them. Like push a square bowl! lmao

[Pilgrim]

These tools are made in my shop by me and another disabled veteran. We try to present an assortment that is very versatile and that accommodates the needs of the beginner as well as the professional.

prolly china lol

lol,lol.....my ass offffffffff, disabled vet.

is that written on your busieness card?That your a Disabled Vet
?

[mindblowingglass]

If anyone buys these tools, you can simply rework them with wet sand paper and finish with newspaper (assuming they are high density) And even if they are not, than 30 something $ for 8 tools- I imagen you will get your moneys worth.

I only hope whomever made these tools never comes on here and see's this.
For all you that are ragging on this guy, you should all be ashamed of yourselves.

It sucks that I need to be the one to write this (as I sure as hell dont like having to be the one) but someone needed to point out what asses you are all coming off as.

[mer]

before you get too pissed you should probably know that at least one of the people posting in this thread is a disabled vet. i don't see anybody ripping on these guys for being veterans, just for the quality of their tools. it really wouldn't matter who made these things, they are what they are.

[ACE]

hardy har har.

LOL. i miss the gldg. i need to make more time for this stuff.

edit: hahaha ok i just looked at the ebay listing, i guess im the ass. but theyre still pretty ghetto.

[Pilgrim]

maybe this will qualify me to speek up ....14 yrs in the Marines 3 purple hearts 4 combat action ribons and a bronze star. i was shot several times in the chest by an A.K i damaged ear drums from a exsplostion in panima,... PTSD from seeing my best bro.s get blown away i can go on and on. i blow glass i work my ass off and never do i wear that shit in public or advertise the fact i'm a dis vet...all in all i'm a able vet with injuries....... no reason to make crappy tools .........sorry i ramble , im beet tired sorrry for being such an ass hole......

[mindblowingglass]

I went ahead and edited my post. Its a touchy subject 4 me.
My father is "disabled vet" as well. He doesn't advertise it and still to this day works harder than most people I know. ( though his "disability doesn't render him unable to work.(most of the time)) His Gov. disability check doesn't even cover his med's.

However I have met quite a few disabled vets that are unable to work. Many that can not even keep a job, or a stable relationship.

So needless to say I have great compassion for these people ( hell ,most people in general) If this person didn't advertise he was a disabled vet than I wouldn't be as bothered by you all ragging on his tools, but he is a disabled vet and I ( for one) thinks he deserves our support, not our bad mouthing.

For all you who criticized his tools, did anyone bother to email him and tell him how to improve his tools?
This world is a shitty place - we can either contribute to making it worse or we can contribute to making it better.

I for one have seen many blowers early pipes and it is very easy to criticize, I make it a point to find the good ( and praise it ) instead of putting them down, or bad mouthing their work (which is a lot easier do)

Where would any of us be if all those people didn't buy our early work. ( because no matter how good of a glass blower you are.(or who you learned from) All of our work, in the beginning, had LOTS of room for improvement. If everyone bad mouthed our work ( and discouraged people from buying our products) NONE of use would still be blowing glass ( if nothing else, at least not as a profession)

[Pilgrim]

Mr.Mindblowingglass, you are awsome, can you walk on water too......as a vet i hold my self to a high standard as a disabled vet i hold my self to a even higher standard. thats just whats we do we push push push. all bull shiting aside.. i should be thanking you for speeking up for the guy . its good some one did thanks for chimming in for the underdog ..sort to speek...your a good person. maybe the water walking was outof line...sorry peace out ...

[somberbear]

I dont have a problem with vets in the least. Infact i have helped out with vets in my past and hold them in high respect. Some of the coolest people i know.

the issue i guess now is why is he advertising it. being disabled myself for a large part of my life and still and being stuck in a wheel chair and having to use a cane till i was 24, you dont try to advertise with being handicapped its the pity, i dont want to be pitied. that and looking at the other auctions. i wonder if its just marketing. Many of the vets i know wouldnt use it to make money or explain off defective products. In a way you deminish the value of some one doing something cause they are disabled. They have a right to be proud of there work. i wouldnt be doing this if i wasnt proud of what i put out there. The other thing that i dont see if any info about the shop or the person who made them. so i really dont know where my money is going.

And early tools and all..... there tools, i also know my products bunk. It took me a long hard time and as a craftman i didnt sell my product till it was ready and i could be proud to sell it and put my name on it. and yea i got plenty of thats good for your first month working and thats pretty crappy buddy. and i took it an improved and worked on it and threw away alot of glass.

Hell my permanit shop is going to be wheel chair accessable. And one day helping vets pick up trades would be cool. and i have yet to charge my vet friends for repairs.

any way the critizem on my end is mainly due to the handling. the odd angles and off sides etc. which is fairly common to correct is off and could be done with a lathe and a drill press. the bead holes are cool but if i have to change and adapt how i work for a tool. that isnt helping me at all except feel good i got a tool off a vet.... the vet part does not factor into something im going to be using. Buy the tools you need. take care of the tools you have.

I emailed and am awaiting a response. i am very skeptical.

Im not trying to cause problem im just calmly stating my side.

peace
rob

PS. i honestly support the vets and current service people of this country doing the hardest part to maintain what freedoms we have left.

[Headchange]

I was actually quoting the ad and saying that it was prolly what a chinese company would say to make their scandalous crappy bizness prosper..

[ACE]

I was actually quoting the ad and saying that it was prolly what a chinese company would say to make their scandalous crappy bizness prosper..

my 'hardy har' was aimed at that, i thought it was kinda funny....i removed most of my post too, because i had just gotten off a ten hour plane ride and wasn't in the best mood, but i'll just say this....

seriously mindblown? i mean, seriously? i think people made what specifically their gripe was pretty clear, but even if you were confused im not sure that you have the right to sit here and tell everyone that all of our work sucks so much we don't have the right to critisize tools. the only thing that leads me to beleive is that you haven't looked at most peoples work on here. i click on a lot of links in folks sig lines and most of the time i like what i see. regardless, your original post was really offensive.

and so i digress, after using a few of Will M's paddles i wouldn't buy them from anyone else anyway.(cause they are the shit)

[boxfan willy]

I tread lightly on this one. I was in the Army, overseas duty with action. No purps or bronze star, but I also hold injured vets in high regard, as I am one myself. With that said, I am leary of this situation. The tools do remind me of the beginner set made in China. THe price seems almost to reasonable for US production.
Also, I can tell from the pics that the graphite is large grain, very loose extruded graphite. Not isostatic. Strike 2 in my opinion.

So here is my loose cannon remark. I almost think that maybe somebody is prospering on the respect we should hopefuly be giving our veterans. if so< that is bullshit. Plain and simple. MBG, if you get a return e=mail and this guy is legit, please let me know> i will give whatever help i can to help improve the quality.
As it is, I have many resewrvations about this situation.

Peace and respect to all veterans< from all wars from all countries. To limp around(my small injury) to losing sight, limbs or the ability to cope with daily life is way jacked up and and george w. brushmyasshole has taken away many vet benefits including medical aftercare. I knew of a guy whose wife got his last active duty paycheck and it was docked two weeks due to him being blown to bits in Iraq(couldn't finish his pay period the bastards). To me that is more worthy of being pissed about than this tool shit.

$.02

boxfan
www.theflowmagazine.com
www.menziesdesign.com

P.S. Amy, thanks for the props. Makes it worth it when you hear good words about your work.
Blessings

[JANKYglass]

see what you started brandie

[sevendeuce]

i got some of those tools man . there not bad for the price. shit 3 paddles is worth 30 bucks as it is. if they break he will even send you new ones. does glasscraft or any other dist. do that. didnt think so

[ACE]

i got some of those tools man . there not bad for the price. shit 3 paddles is worth 30 bucks as it is. if they break he will even send you new ones. does glasscraft or any other dist. do that. didnt think so

you know why they usually wont send you a new one if they break?

cause they don't break.

i have collected tools from all over the place and the only paddle i ever broke was the first paddle i ever bought. it was 4 years old and i dropped it. besides the fact it had seen better days im about 99% sure it was my fault anyway.

[Udai Hussien]

made in Newton grove NC. I think everyone in Newton Grove has a disability of somekind

[meadowesky]

see what you started brandie

no shit.

well I ask because I bought another auction of these. The pics sure looked better but OMG they are some SHITTY Tools! I emailed them about a return and havent heard back. I dont wanna do it but I might have to leave some negative feedback. disabled vets or not-- if they dont get back to me.

Shitty shitty shitty tools! the handles arent straight, they dont even screw in right, the edges are all shit, the graphite is low quality, the reamers-hahahaha I dont know what kind of things they are reamin with them but they arent touching my glass. The big paddle has a hole right in the marvering surface!!
I should have known better for the price but I guess it is time to go shopping.... again.

I need...
6x6 ish piece of graphite
octogon reamer 2-14mm
flaring tool
and possibly a 1 1/4" marble mold.
anyone got anything?

[petto]

I just got my paddle from Wil @ the FLOW.

thank you very much by the way wil, awsome paddle, i use that thing everyday. I'll give a ring when I find your #, got a new phone and lost some of the old#'s

Anyway Wil's tools are some of the very best graphite tools out, if not the best. I have a paddle and my torch marver from him nd they are the bomb. That torch marver alone is like have 2 extra hands while working. Highly recomended. They are little higher in price but you get what you pay for and these tools will last for many years. Now if Wil would make some jacks????????? :D :D :D :D :D :D

[petto]

oh yeah, Weaver Ind on ebay has very good marble molds.

[devin]

i ordered a set of eight for about thirty, they arent the greatest but for thirty its a bargin compared to 30 for a single marver at a local shop. All the tools but one have straight handles, and honestly if they break theyll send me new ones. I cannot vouch for the tool makers being vets or not but they were very nice, accomadating people. I also ordered some mashers form them for a very good price which ARE very heavyduty. They offered combined shipping and i deducted the amount on the paypal transaction, and then when i recieved the package there was another fiver in the box so in the end i got free shipping. Eight tools for 30 shipped is unbeatable in my book JMO.

[boxfan willy]

Jonas,

Thanks for them words. Jen and I are in Japan right now for the B.A.E. We will be back around the 4th. Give me a jingle after I get caught up on the jetlag. 903-539-4806.

Thanks,

boxfan

[meadowesky]

well 3 emails now about returning them and no response. I am assuming I can file a paypal claim since they are unusable?
am also assuming that if I leave negative feedback, I will probably recieve it in return?

[kittypooh5]

Warning, don't buy these tools, they are totally shitty! I left negative feedback on the seller on ebay, and then I received this following email. I have never seen a response so hateful and rude. Boycott this seller!!!

The letter the seller wrote:

What kind of stupid bitch are you?

The tools had a money back guarantee with the purchase of them. Why didn't you at least
contact me about this before you did this dastardly and cowardly deed? I just don't get it. You
waited 2 1/2 months to leave the feedback. If you had a problem, why didn't you ask to get
it taken care of shortly after you received them?

When you won't even allow someone to correct a problem and then do a vicious thing like
you did makes you one complete ASS HOLE. There are not words enough or LOW enough
to describe a cowardly bitch like you.

Life is pretty tuff and it is difficult for some of us to make a living. Then comes along
completely thoughtless ignorant poor excuse of a human being like you and makes it
even tougher. You probably have some stupid bastard taking care of you, because if
you had ever worked a day in your life, you might not be such a bitch and do something
like this. I hope he soon wakes up, runs away with his secretary and leaves your ugly ass
to just sit around and die in your own shit. I am sure you are so spoiled you don't even
know how to wipe your own ass.

Worst regards,

Don Marshburn,

P.S. I just noticed on your address, APT. 2R. Now I know. You are just trash. That explains
your actions. What the hell, you need to read this anyway. Up, Up, and Away E-Mail!!!!!!!!

[The Lorax]

wow what a douche... not only does he go for the sympathy stratedgy but his tools suck as much as his personality... fuck this guy

[susheke]

Wow, total jerk. Now I'm off to see who the seller is and make sure I never purchase from him.

[Conchis]

Amazing. It doesn't take many customers treated like this to run a guy out of business. Don't you wonder what makes a person write something like this?

[CripSkillz]

WOW he musta been having a bad day or his girl jsut left him and hes a bitter bitch him self hahahahcrackin my shit up

[meadowesky]

we are supposidly working this out. I opened a dispute.
he claimed that he tried to email me and I wasnt getting them so he had to open a new email account. I recieved a pretty nasty letter in the mail in between the time. Asking if I want to kick his ass and gave me his # "If I thought some bitchen would help" I thought it was funny but yours sure isnt. I have an exchange in with him and he promised to make them better but we will see. The confirmation # shows they were delivered to him on friday.

[meadowesky]

I just got my replacement tools from Don. They are awesome and he sent me several extras.
I have to say that his behavior in regards to you was not professional and not very nice but I do think that if you had emailed him before leaving negative feedback, he would have worked it out with you.
just my opinion. He obviously can make good tools because these rock.

[mer]

word.

glad it worked out for ya.

[Pilgrim]

Sounds like Dr. Jeckle and MR.Hide

[Greymatter Glass]

One does wonder tho... why did you wait 2 and a half months to do/say anything about it?

I would have at least tried to contact him directly first.

His attitude is inexcusable, but still.. 2.5 months?

[LoneWolfandSon]

questioning that also 2.5 months???

[meadowesky]

I guess the big point is, his response. Of course he was pissed. but he shouldnt have called you a bitch.
on his side, he would have replaced them at anytime. And I am telling ya, my replacement tools are great. and saved me alot of $ and he send a bunch of extra tools that came in really handy. I just had to email him to get them. after you leave - feedback, you shit in your own food.

[The Cheese]

oh crap....

[Big Jay]

no shit.

well I ask because I bought another auction of these. The pics sure looked better but OMG they are some SHITTY Tools!

Shitty shitty shitty tools! ?

wish I would have caught this post before last week. I wanted to order that set form ABR but I bid up to 142 bucks and couldn't go any higher so I said wtf I need something to give me time to keep looking for a deal on tools.. what a mistake! The guy doesn't respond to emails either btw. I am keeping mine cause I still need to use something but I'd been better off investing the 40 bucks on one single well built tool then these. The two paddles don't seem to bad but I can't figure out whats up with the handle installation. Also 12 bucks on shipping and when the package came it was PM'd $5.59. I wouldn't have minded so much but it took 3 days before the guy even shipped it out.

[Greymatter Glass]

oh crap what?

"Oh crap I just raised the dead, and now I have feed it" Oh crap?

or "Oh crap, what's this button do" ?

-Doug

crap....

[menty666]

For what it's worth, I use this one. http://www.dichroicimagery.com/product_info.php?cPath=431_446&products_id=4641

I like it because it's one tool instead of a whole bunch of them. Worth the money :)

[Big Jay]

oh crap what?

....

I think he might have just ordered a set. :depressed

[The Cheese]

I think he might have just ordered a set. :depressed

Bingo... We'll see what happens.

As for the multi mold, was looking for one of those with 1" and 1.25" but wasn't able to find one.

[VED]

DO NOT BUY THESE TOOLS!!! when i first began which was only a few months ago i went cheap and bought the set of 8 and they suck the only thing i use any more is the shitty reamer and the push that i had to shape my self. the handles on the paddles are bloken with out much abuse just a little use. something is always burning off of them and it smells like some kind of oil i dont know but if you are thinking about it DONT waist your money. shitty handles, crappy graphite. i got what i paid for i know but if i can warn anyone i will DO NOT BUY THOSE TOOLS THEY SUCK! i thought maybe i was helping some veterans and saving money not expecting much in the first place but im not even sure i got what i paid for.

[Big Jay]

yeah too bad this isn't a sticky

[The Cheese]

he said that he buys the graphite 2nd hand from a guy who makes silver bars. Maybe whatever he did with them left some residue on it and that's what you're smelling. Do they leave any marks on your work?

Can I use a really fine sand paper to work these back to a good surface should they be all nasty?

Merry Christmas everyone, should that be your thing.

[somberbear]

use window screen...... as fine as you can find it , it will clog sand paper in a heart beat and you cant sand under water .......

Theres many grades of graphite ..... some of them after being used for "sheilding" in reactors ... to being used to brace molds for something .... if you heat it up enough it seams to powder.....

working it is a challenge and it is a known cause of lung cancer

kthanks
peace
rob

[somewhere]

Theres many grades of graphite ..... some of them after being used for "sheilding" in reactors ... to being used to brace molds for something .... if you heat it up enough it seams to powder.....

working it is a challenge and it is a known cause of lung cancer

kthanks
peace
rob

I have a serious problem with misinformation! If your using graphite from a nuclear reactor your an idiot. IF your making a general statement about graphite your wrong.

I'm sure this is just a wording issue I just want to clarify.

[somberbear]

sure thing bucko

[somewhere]

I certainly did not want to offend we went thru this in great lengths on the machinist board I'm on. The state of California has proven about everything in the world to cause cancer. My understanding reading all the hazmat info posted from previous threads it is an irritant long term exposure can cause pneumoconiosis but to say if you machine graphite your getting cancer is extreme. Again inform yourselves and be safe.

again no offense to you Rob

[NUBBLET]

I took 600 grain sand paper wet or dry use and finished a slab so fine the guy I bought it from asked me where I got it , I even sanded it wet ( dry is easier just more dust, better though) .

Some grades break down quicker , I think Arrow Springs has graphite that breaks down at a lower temp I know the kiln will burn it away (not sure about high grade as I am now petrified of getting it in the flame or kiln) .

[CitizenNot]

i alway sand my graphite wet with different grades of paper. when i'm done with the finest i dry it and buff it with newspaper. unless its a push, i use the sidewalk to shape

[somberbear]

http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-Graphite-9924202

so it doesnt... un avalible atleast ... i just know the warning i was told by my machine instructors and the people i know who do edm.

As for radioactive liners being sold i have heard of it , and i have seen a slab of it. as for how much is out there no idea. i know theres been a few hick up in the DOE yard sales...... and other gov auctions. and radioactive materials getting out. from what i gathered the saturation in these liners is minimal but i still wouldnt want these.

But sure i dont mind being proven wrong..... i just go with the info i get.

thanks for finaly clarifying what you ment in the first place.

as for breaking down of graphite i was told it is all in the process used to make it and the binders. or how its formed naturaly if you get it form that source

peace
rob

[smutboy420]

ya all the things that say its perfectly healthy to breath graphite duist and that iits nothing more then an iritant. I think has more to do with real natrual ocurring graphite. wich realy has no place in glass weorking as its crap for glass.

But most extruded man made graphite has ceramic binders in it to make it hard and less poris. Totaly difrent sets of MSDS's as far as breathing it goes. So I'd reasone why there is so much difering info as to if its healthy or not to be breathing graphite dust.

[The Cheese]

Had to dig this thread up.

Mr Don Marshburn wrote me back after I sent him a request to please leave feedback seeing as I paid immediately.

I left him neutral feedback and told the truth "Alright for the money but poorly made - uneven, crooked. Paid 2x for shipping"

Douce sends me back a note tonight.

You are really stupid. If I left you feedback you really wouldn't like it.

Best regards,

Stupid old guys.


Ok, it's official now. This guy is a verified fuck wit.

Here was my email to him.



Why haven't you left feedback on the tools yet? I paid immediately and paid you DOUBLE what shipping costs actually were. You have no reason not to leave feedback.

I left you neutral feedback because of the quality. The pads are rough and need finishing, the reamers are unevenly finished. I've got handles that are crooked and loose due to stripped treads. I should have left negative but I didn't want to be a jerk and you offered to replace them. I'm not going to send them back to you because what good would it do? You sent me one set that was poorly made. It's not like you're turning out thousands, quality shouldn't be an issue. I would think that a couple of vets would take a little more pride in their work. I'm youngin' and I know better than to send people shotty work. Even if the price is low.


Ok, I'm done now.

[NUBBLET]

shoddy tools , clue 1 the dude has BURN in his name .