Wanting to start blowing

[AMoRT]

alright well ive been looking all over the internet watching videos and reading about lampworking, and it looks awesome. I want to make sculptures, jars, pipes, and eventually i want to be able to make awesome heady pieces. so i was wondering what a good torch to start out with would be. i found this kit on the internet-

http://www.sundanceglass.com/kitslg7.htm

would that be any good to start off with?

and also, do i need a kiln or is there a good alternative? ive read that wrapping your items in fiber blankets is good, or line a cigar box with fiber blankets and just set the stuff in there. will these ways work?

also, i was wondering what sizes of glass i should start off with. ill probably just start off making small pipes and jars. and also what colors do you guys recommend and from what site(s) do you purchase from?

i know this is a lot to ask, but i would really appreciate the help.

thanks!

[revere glass]

I would suggest a GTT (http://www.revereglassstore.com/servlet/Categories?category=Supplies%2FTools%3AGlass+Torch +Technologies) if possible. But you have to know your budget. Get a kiln if you can. fiber blankets have limits and are dangerous. You should get 5-8 Mil. rod and 19 mil tube to start and let your work direct the size of glass. If you need a class, check us out. (http://www.revereglass.com)

[AMoRT]

alright is the bobcat any good? i have a pretty low budget as you can tell. but i really dont want to buy a kiln, will someone please explain how to use the fiber blankets or anything else as an alternative. oh and i read someting about a crock pot working as a kiln in another thread as well

[HOSS]

You can use a ceramic blanket or crock pot to help slow the cooling and keep as many things from exploding (many still will), but it is NOT a substitute for a kiln. A kiln is required to anneal glass which makes it strong, a piece of glass that hasn't been annealed is much much more likely to break, and it is irresponsible to sell glass you know will probably break (and very bad for your reputation/repeat business). A kiln can also pay for itself through all the pieces that will survive the cool-down process, that would have cracked in a blanket or crock pot. You can often get a small jewelry kiln on ebay for under $100, and it will really save you a lot of problems. Don't kid yourself its just as important to have a kiln as it is to have a torch. Don't forget about ventilation either, you're going to need a strong attic fan they run about $50-$60.

[maui greenstone]

vermiculite is a good alternative.

[nick84]

I'd say get a national torch with a 19 hole tip and a smaller kiln like an AIM 84BD with a kiln door, that way you have money to get all the tools and glass you need. check out Grady http://www.thegldg.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13401 ......he has the best deals and is reliable...I got a kiln from him shipped for $300. You also might want to spend the Extra money on a good pair of glasses and make yourself a good ventilation system.
Nick

[somberbear]

First get eye ware and ventalation out of the way. its hard to blow glass when you cant breath and you cant see....

I would say get a 3a national , with a couple of tips and a stand.... if you move outta this then youll have a decent hand torch with a few tips... fairly cheap

if you get a gtt might as well start with a lynx....

while you can save peices with vermiculite and fiber blanket they still have to be anealed.... if your making pipes and jars i would say defintaly get a kiln.... asap. and dont sell any thing till it has been anealed.

Colors are tricky for now , maybe you would be better off calling Trevs or vapor glass about bags of shorts...

Get a copy of contemp lampworking and read read read....

then take a class asap this will save ya atleast a month of agrivation.

tube size i would say ,
rod
2 sticks 4mm for wrap and wrakes and other operations
1 stick of 7-9mm for handles
1 stick of 20mm for pendents

for tube
1 stick of 9mm or 12 heavy wall... for blow tubes
3 sticks of 20mm tube heavy
1 stick of 30mm standard

that is just kinda a guess.... i use all sorts of sizes and shapes the only way to learn is to practice after all.

peace
rob

PS pick up some carbon rod etc for tools.... thats a whole nother challange.

[AMoRT]

eh now im kind of hesitant to start blowing. does anybody have an old torch and kiln and some old tools they can sell me for some what of a deal? that would be great

[kbinkster]

Don't get discouraged, if working glass is something you really want to do!

Like with many businesses, you may want to start small and build up.

What is your budget? Can you sell some stuff around the house to get more money for the cause? Get as much money together as you can and then take a look at how much the equipment costs up front and how much it costs to operate.

You will need a torch of some kind, naturally, and a source of fuel and oxygen. If you already have a propane tank from a BBQ grill that you could borrow when you blow glass, that would be good. If you decide to lease an oxygen tank, go with as big a tank as you can afford. Those little dinky ones get emptied too quickly. A lot of beginners working soft glass are starting out with oxygen concentrators. But, if you are on a bare bones budget right now, that kind of investment can wait.

You will also need protective eyewear and some basic tools. Don't forget that you will need a work space that is well ventillated.

It might be a little while before you make anything that is fit to sell. But, once you decide that it's ready, your work will need to be annealed before it is suitable to sell. Do you know anyone with a kiln? If not, look for a glass shop that rents out kiln time and batch anneal your pieces until you get your own kiln. Stained glass places that offer fusing supplies and classes would probably rent you kiln time. They are easier to find in some areas than lampworking supply shops.

Learn to make something simple and learn to make it well. Then, sell it. Save money from the sales of your glass and put it right back into the business, or as much of it as you can. Upgrade your equipment to increase your productivity and to enhance the enjoyment of what you're doing.

You might even start out doing something slightly different than what your goal is, just to learn and get off the ground. And who knows, you may find that you fall in love with something else alltogether.

[HOSS]

Keep an eye on ebay you can find some pretty good deals there, but even just getting the bare minimum to start its not exactly cheap. You might find a torch for $75 (a welding torch can work or a basic National), say $150 for a little kiln (ebay jewelry kiln or small pottery kiln from Craigslist etc.), $60 for ventilation and about $40 for cheapo didydium glasses, $40 for a propane tank if you don't already have one and about $15-$20 per fill (every 30 hours or so of torch time), oxygen varies a lot by where you live but say $25 a fill (about every 15 hours), get two tanks to minimize trips to refill but they may want a deposit of something like $150 per tank, depending on your credit and location, and you can probably get the tools you need most for about $100. Oh then there's the glass... maybe $100 worth to start? So if you shop smart around $600-$700 should get you going. It may sound like a lot but don't let it discourage you, save up and sell some things like others said, if you want it enough its doable.

Or you might be able to find an apprenticeship in your area, or a shop where you can rent space on their equipment until you get rolling. I did an apprenticeship and think its probably the best way to try it out cheap and see if its even something you'd enjoy, and if it is you're already set up with equipment and materials and help with sales (for a price of course, for me it was 50%). Learn and save for a year or so and you should be ready to buy your own gear. Of course finding one can be tricky, but persistence pays.

Good luck!

[Fire on the mountain]

"the first step in failure is trying" - homer simpson

seriously though, i would recommend getting a minor and working towards getting a GTT when you can afford it. look for knowledge here and in books and stuff but there is no substitute for practice. unless your nomad, youll pick it up.

[somberbear]

well finding and taking a few classes before hand is a cheap and easy way to find out if you wanna do glass or not...... also give you an idea of where your headed and also save you a bit of frustration as you start.

just my 2

rob

[newmexicomagma]

i would say that if your are able to start out with around 1000 to 1200 dollars u will be good to start. just keep looking around and dont get discouraged. just keep pricing stuff and saving up. DONT GIVE UP!

[jethro]

just hunt for bargains and take your time.

It took me at least 6 months to gather all my tools and get my ventilation and all set up.The last things I got were my hoses,regulators and glass so I wouldnt be tempted to try anything before I was safe.

check ebay a lot

if you look on wetcanvas.com there are tutorials for building a small kiln and digital controler that actually work (I built mine for under 100$ for both) its not a permanent solution but it is an option to get you off to a start.

most important read as much as you can here and grap a copy of contemporary lampworking.

[SteppingRazor]

you could start with a hothead torch and soft glass beads with very little money. This will let you get the feel for glass, which is quite difficult too handle or even explain to one with little experience. This will allow you to explore glass cheaply and build hand skills that will translate over to hard glass.

hell, i even got like 5lbs of soft glass that i'd sell you very cheap. that's sorta how i got started.

just make sure you upgrade your ventilation and eyewear moving from soft to hard glass.

I would skip on a kiln at first, if you learn to work without a kiln not making things crack, you will be a much better lamper down the road. However i would never sell anything that has'nt been properly annealed.


~joe

[jahglass]

id highly reccomend picking up contempory lampworking by bandhu dunham and/or Glassblowing by homer hoyt asap... also, a weekend intro class before making a major investment of your time, energy, and money would be a good idea. where are you located?

[The Lorax]

alright is the bobcat any good? i have a pretty low budget as you can tell. but i really dont want to buy a kiln, will someone please explain how to use the fiber blankets or anything else as an alternative. oh and i read someting about a crock pot working as a kiln in another thread as well

if you don't want to buy a kiln you might want to reconsider starting lampworking... it is expensive, start off with some lessons... see if you like it, and go from there

[AMoRT]

if you don't want to buy a kiln you might want to reconsider starting lampworking... it is expensive, start off with some lessons... see if you like it, and go from there

yeah i cant find any lessons here so im just not gonna blow

[Tzonis]

yeah i cant find any lessons here so im just not gonna blow

I was going to recommend a gtt delta but if you can't financially swing it then I would recommend selling stuff to raise the cash or just finding another hobby....

word.

[Racer X]

My advice would be to take all your money, go outside with it and put it on the lawn. Cover it with lighter fluid and light it on fire. Have a girl kick you in the nutz while you watch it burn and make sure she asks you where your money went. You wont be able to make money for quite some time with flameworking... if any. And if you don't get lessons and a kiln you're going to assure yourself of that fact.

If you're doing it for fun, go for it. I can't wait to see fifty pictures a week of some fresh new work...

[boxfan willy]

Glass is a strange mistress. It is usually hit or miss. If ur a miss, then one of us will buy your torch in a year. If your a hit, then right on. I definitely would suggest "Contemporary Lampworking" Bandhu Dunham and/or get a couple of magazines www.theflowmagazine.com.

From there, find somewhere you can melt some glass. Unless you are in the sticks or on the moon, then there should be something within a reasonable 2 day trip. Test the water. I went in it crazy man style, allowing no options for failure. I also didn't have a family to support when I got started.

Rex is speaking gospel. There is a high learning curve. You don't just do it. You live it. Glass consumes us daily.

Consider your options and move forward safely

Good luck,

boxfan

[CitizenNot]

after two years on the torch there's still a pile of money burning in the backyard, but its worth every penny. don't plan on gettin rich from blowing glass until your dead or really old

[AMoRT]

im not really planning on getting rich thats why i dont want to spend a ton of money on equipment. but im still looking around for stuff

[boxfan willy]

Amort,

There are at least a hundred studios, teaching facilities, universities etc. around the U.S. Where are u at is a good place to start.

Let me STRESS this: It is paramount to start safe. Someone previously said get eywear and ventilation. That is dead on. There are many dangers on this path, and you need a guide. There are way to many resources now compared to when I got started to not have good guidance.

A boxfan and a victor is not recomended. Let's find u a good place to start!

boxfan