Working off the tube vs. points

[lava flow]

Yeah, I cut points, but I don't pull my handles anymore- I just weld on a piece of 12 mil. Do a lot of folks like to work straight off the tube, I'm assuming using a swivel? Man you guys must have some beefy forearms. I'm built like my mom so points are easier for me... am I totally messing up? Super curious about what Roger has to say about this at AGI...

[jr23]

rollers help but i dont have any

[Granger's Glass]

I like using a 9 or 12mm tube as a handle sometimes. It doesn't break as easily as a thin point.

[mer]

strive to be efficient in multiple styles and techniques. it will help you adapt to new situations later on.

[FredLight]

Wait a minute. Let me try to help, or correct your terminology.

You cut points and don't pull handles?

When you pull a point, you create a handle/blowtube.

Maybe you're tapering the ends and welding on blowtubes, but unless you stretch it to create a handle, I really don't think it's called a point.

Someone wanna help Lava with this?

I'm sure there's a reason to be specific here.

[Ben Burton Glass]

I like using blowtubes for the most part. usually 12mm, but 15 if I'm doing something big. It's a consistant size to spin and allows plenty of airflow through the blowtube.

I use points on a few things, usually much smaller work. I think there's more stability with a heavier walled blowtube then a pulled point (although I know acouple guys who use only points and they're abd-ass at what they do.)

Do whatever is comfortable for you, but like MerMonkey said, if you can become adept at both, you'll be better off in the long run...

aloha!

[glasspapi]

I think either or is great. I personally dont like points because I tend to waste more glass. I would rather use a punty (tubing) but thats just me and the kind of work I do. I have seen people work off tubing with both rod and tube punties. I will say I did the points for quite awhile but not anymore...for me...its a waste of time.

The thing that really gets me is most people that work off tubes have done both and are open minded to either. However, even on this board, there are Elitists that think the only proper way to lampwork is off points. So much to the point that they will harass and slander others for not pulling points. I wont put anyones name out there but over the years on here there have been some real jerks that will only accept a lampworker if they pull points. They arent even what one would consider a "master", just Elitists with maybe 5 years on them. Go figure. So to you elitists...deez nutz.

[Swampy]

hah hah don't talk to me about ruber fucking tubing...

Yesterday afternoon I'm there puntied up to the left and the rubber tube connected up to the right, puffing out before it collapses and can't believe my incredible luck as the fucking piece of shit rubber tubes decides it's time to fuck off home early and slide off the swivel.

I stood there giggling like a girl as the glass drooped into a U shape and the fuckwit rubber tube bouncing around off my shoulder like a limp dick.

For fucks sake, somebody invent a positive clamping arrangement!!!!!!!!!!

Spent the rest of the day on pulled points, I was quite happy.

[lava flow]

Wait a minute. Let me try to help, or correct your terminology.

You cut points and don't pull handles?

When you pull a point, you create a handle/blowtube.

Maybe you're tapering the ends and welding on blowtubes, but unless you stretch it to create a handle, I really don't think it's called a point.

Someone wanna help Lava with this?

I'm sure there's a reason to be specific here.

sorry fred! don't mean to be confusing- I was referring to the entire section of tubing that you will be working as a point, whether it has a pulled "point" for a handle or a welded-on 12 mil blowtube. Should I call it a blank? My old teacher called the entire section a point, guess it's stuck with me. But yeah I would like to specific so please let me in on the proper terminology. I'm tending to think that "blank" applies more to rod, and of course a flare would be an opened point... hmmmmm I know I should probly just go look in the dang glossary.


Sorry to hear about your swivel problems swampy! I have always been wary of those things, only ever tried one once... but as Mermonkey pointed out, versatility is the true mark of skill... I bet they are the shiz for doing marias...

[Big Jay]

I thought a blank is what you called it. I've only heard a point referred to as the section you heat and pull for a handle. A blow tube being the section of tube thats welded on(glass or metal). Puntied, pulled point or welded handle if you have a completed assembly with the exact amount of glass tube your going to use for the project that would be a blank.
back to the original point though. I love working off the tube. But if I take a couple days off I have a hard time going back to it. Some guys do have incredibly strong forearms and shoulders and can spin that shit all day. Working off the tube can definetly be faster. But your gonna have to dedicate yourself to do it. Eventually it'll get easier.
Some pluses and minuses though. A pulled point or a blow tube is usually easier to spin being a smaller diameter. And usually closer to the diameter of the punty you will use making it somewhat easier to spin in unison.
Working off the tube can be a little more stable but the difference in diameter from your punty is extreme but theres no doubt your cutting out several steps saving time and wasting the least amount of glass.
I bought a blow hose, but only tried it for a day. It felt so completely different that I was messin up left and right. The feedback you get from blowing directly into the tube vs the blow hose is different. I need to force myself to get on it and do it a few days.

[SouthernFume]

hah hah don't talk to me about ruber fucking tubing...

Yesterday afternoon I'm there puntied up to the left and the rubber tube connected up to the right, puffing out before it collapses and can't believe my incredible luck as the fucking piece of shit rubber tubes decides it's time to fuck off home early and slide off the swivel.

I stood there giggling like a girl as the glass drooped into a U shape and the fuckwit rubber tube bouncing around off my shoulder like a limp dick.

For fucks sake, somebody invent a positive clamping arrangement!!!!!!!!!!

Spent the rest of the day on pulled points, I was quite happy.

haha freakin hilarious dude!! i've had the same prob but not with the rubber never used it before. in fact i have never heard of using rubber,why would you use rubber on hot glass? the blow tube is a great tool. i just got mine about 2 week ago and i'm still learning, i have fucked up quite a few prodo pieces but shit happens and i tend to step in it.

[Swampy]

Yeah sorry I shoulda mentioned; the working tube was 20mm hvy. The welded-on blow tube was 9.5 hvy.

The swivel I have right now is a right-angled brass job, nice piece of work, attach it with a piece of heavy-doody latex rubber tube. If it doesn't behave it's fucking self, will find itself in the same position and the previous one...

The previous one was a straight swivel. That stupid fucking thing that decides to kink and twist your rubber blow tube got launched about six months ago, probly still in the yard where it landed unless the dog ate it and shat it out somewhere else. That'll teach it.

So yeah this positive clamping arrangement I had in mind would be something like a compression gland you would screw down on an electrical cable entering a water-tight junction box.

There must be some bright spark out there that could work it out with different size adaptors/wodeva. Speaking of sparks, it's almost 420 so see yer :-)

[FredLight]

Man, Swampy, that's brilliant.

Compression gland? Sweet. Like those on some sailboats/catamarans.

Are you using a tapered stopper? That's what I have, never falls out.

I cram it in there, for sure.

Oh, I'm late.

[Jones Art Glass]

I like the stronger, more sure feel of a 9.5-15mm for larger work but I can spin a pulled point SO much faster that sometime I just need more rpms than a handle will give me. Use both, it will make you a more proficient lampworker.

[Swampy]

Yes mate I know, that's what I'm trying to do, I always like to try to get the same result with different techniques.

Today I strimmed the whole yard but used my left hand as the dominant hand instead of my (natch) right hand. Ever tried that? I swear the dog and chickens were laughing at me.

I check your pulled point, Rash and yeah that's my most favourite tech too but it's hard to achieve a butt weld like that.

Roger P mentioned the other day about blowing and seeing the result as you blow, good point so that's what I need to do because my next series needs that tech.

So I'm considering a compromise; staying with pulled points and score one of them rubber bulbs they use for checking your blood-pressure, you know the kind? and attach that to a straight swivel.

Oh wait I have to go find where the dog shat it out...

Yeah Fred you were late. I was astral planing and didn't see you.

More later