tips for goin BIG

[Gibsons Glassworks]

well ive been at this for over 3 years now, and im starting to progress into larger multiple section pieces, with attachments and all that, any tips on making those big pieces,

should everything be riding on the sole blowtube connection at the mouthpiece while mkaing cane or marble attachments?

make 2 of the sections all finished the do a final weld to join em?

i think i need a handtorch...

[hippieandrew]

you dont need a hand torch, but one would be awesome. just keep both pieces up to temp in the kiln, size them up to make sure the opening that you want to weld are matching. then get both pieces hot and kiss them together. and use a needle flame to touch up any part that needs to fuse a little more.

[Fire on the mountain]

im not a master of working big by any means but i would definitely highly recommend a hand torch. they dont cost much and are worth their weight in gold when it comes to getting in tight spots welding on attachments and such. really practice is the main tool you can rely on for going bigger and bigger...youll get more confidence swinging around more glass and using bigger more complicated bridges. whatever you try just do it small and then youll at least know how to do it big.

also usually everything should be on the single blowtube at the mouthpiece until the last step when you take it off so if its going to be a big piece use foresight and use 12.7 or bigger. some people use 1" heavy wall as a blowtube on real big pieces. another thing you might want are some heavy duty gloves to help hold a piece while its being made and then to take off the blowtube at the end. they are definitely worth picking up. these are the ones i got but i wouldnt recommend getting em at wale.
http://www.waleapparatus.com/details/15_1683.asp

[Chris Carlson]

build bucket, build stem, put together, add attachments.

i hold from a mouthpiece handle/blowtube.

some like to hold from the bottom. some like to decorate the stem, then weld to bucket...

handtorches help a lot. mostly for bridges and such.

[Blade]

spend a little money and go work with someone who has been going big for awhile (such as Chris^^^^^^^)
Since you are already at an elevated level, you will better understand what is going on and pick up countless little tricks that can turn out to be priceless.
Dont forget sunscreen

[Gibsons Glassworks]

hey the hand torch is got to be done, i do have a bobcat riged up but i think id like to get one of those micro flames. seems usefulll.

thanks for all the help, now i just need a bigger kiln. maxed it out again today. will post pics tomorrow

as for the glove, ive got it, call it the super glove consists of 2 of the black ones then a big praxair weldong glove and 2 of the black heat pads.

anyways, cheers for now.

and the classes, yea id love to take more its just the finantial blockage...

[Stratisphere]

What up Gibson, those little smith torches that phattys got kick some serious ass. You'll wonder how you ever went without one. Carlson pretty much said it about building....Also, if ya ever get some really awkward seal to do, a blow hose and a hand torch are handy so ya can see what your puffin.
by the way this is Patrick at Stratisphere Glass....still using the old name on here, can't figure out how to change it....?

[Gibsons Glassworks]

word Patrick thanks, gonna have to get one of those... we should get together sometime, have a ye ole thorwdown

cheers