Beginner's glass inventory

[Quexal]

Hello, this is my very first post to the forum! Been lurking for a while. :bouncy: I'm planning on getting a studio together in the near future and have been trying to inventory a good selection of materials to work with and hone some skill on, but I have a few questions:

First, here is the glass that I had planned on getting and the price.

10 x 10mm boro rod
10 x 5mm boro rod
5 x 8mm boro rod
1 x 3cm boro rod (thick stuff)
= $69.56

3 x 32mm/2mm boro tube 5'
3 x 25.4mm/2.4mm boro tube 5'
= $45.06

boro color sample pack
glass alchemy sample pack
= $44.95

Total is around $159.00
Can anyone tell if I've gotten material that will not have the proper COE? The site I'm using to order this stuff doesn't tell me the COE for any of the glass but assuming it's all borosilicate it should be ok?
Am I getting too much rod or tube? (tubes are 5' long, rods- doesn't tell me. assuming the same)
Am I missing anything that would be useful to a beginner, such as a bit of frit and powder etc?

These materials are all from ABRImagery Inc. out of Indiana.

[somberbear]

what torch are you using?

30mm is a little bit for smaller torches it took me a while to get used to it too... try smaller......

like a 20 something....... most pendents youll be making or marbles yourll probably startr off smaller any way.......

it will depend on who your looking at but from what i have seen clear is mainly boro most sites sell schotts , kimble , UST , or simax...... its normaly a safe bet if its clear and in those sizes its probably boro

a frit sampler can be nice , i would if i could.....

also check with vapor or trevs about bags of shorts for color 50 bucks for 5 pounds and gives you plenty to play with ..... granted you dont know the colors but youll have to figure that out even if you did youll ahve atleast one sample pack to get used to.....

i like my smaller tubes heavy wall... my blow tubes like a 9.5 heavy wall etc... the thicker they are the more work time you get out of them.....pulling points is nice but now always what you need pick up a stick of 9.5 or 12.5 heavy wall tube , for rwhen you get to that pull points it will help eventualy

i would drop down the 5mm to 4mm i use 3mm and for what i use it its a decent size with outgetting to squirly....

10 and 12 mmm rod works out alright

get atleast one tube of 32 standard wall or the like and see the differnaces for yourself.

peace
rob

[PyroChixRock]

welcome to the forum

[Quexal]

I was looking at the 6B International. But it doesn't really look like it can stand to be on for extended periods. Think it'll be fine to start with though.
Thanks, this place has got alot of great info.

[somberbear]

honestly i would recommend the 3a over it... i didnt start on one but i have a 3a on my on my bench and i couldnt get along with out it..... the number of tips and options i have with it i cant see doing it any other way.... cause once you step up to a differnt burner you can use it for ribbons and other heating tips and small propane tips and use it after that...... for many things.....

and its portable if i had to run off with one torch to work some where else or travel with it would probably be the 3a cause with the stand and tips and size etc its hard to change tips on the fly and all but has a whole lot of options.... for the cost... so if it gets messed up on the road im not so worried about it. i also use it for people just learning or playing around that way they dont mess with my gtt

so for about the same cost as a 6 you get a whole lot more options down the road..... it might not be as big but if you like working glass im sure youll want a bigger better burner.


Other good options are the little dragon 7 port , the mini cc, and minor burner. all are good options about in the same price range. once you add up tips and rider torchs etc you can aford a differnt bench burner.... if you go all out on one then you can pick up a lynx for the same cost.

Just my two on that

welcome aboard

peace
rob

[sunray]

I just took this little used Nortel torch in the store (At Trevs) It comes with a marver on top.. I was going to put it on Ebay if you want it for $120 let me know.
I'll try to attach a picture

[Quexal]

Thanks Sunray, I'll check the specs out on that torch. Only, I'm planning on getting one of those mickey mouse beginner kits and they all come with a torch so I might have to get it all at once in a package.
Here's that 3a
http://www.nationaltorch.com/images/Torches/8mpic.jpg
It's only a bit more expensive then the 6B, which is only 95$ (cheap looking thing too) whereas this is $165, so I'm going to go with this one I think. Since I'm planning on working with hard glass I'm looking at pre-mix tips, but there's no literature on what the differet shapes etc do.

[somberbear]

8M(with rider)
http://www.nationaltorch.com/Rider.html
6b
http://www.nationaltorch.com/6b.html
3a (if you get grade T welding hose to hook it up try to pick up the 3b-b it has b fittings no cutting) and order or make a torch stand for it.
http://www.nationaltorch.com/3ab.html

National tips (theres a few more out there by 3rd parties)
http://www.nationaltorch.com/tips.html

retail for nationals
http://www.winshipdesigns.com/home2/ws3/smartlist_101/tips__accessories_for_national_torches.html

peace
rob