Not sure what to even look for

[Kurse Fireforge]

Ok. so im not even going to start by b.sing anyone... im totally new to glass work, iv done a little metal work here and there i even placed 3rd in my state for oxy torch welding in high school and id like to think that iv improved since then, iv even got the tools left from taking welding technology at the local community college... But to be completely honest i have almost no clue what tools i will need just to get started, iv tried looking around online and well basically what im asking is...

Does anyone have a list of basic tools (and possibly where/what cost)i would need and/or want to get started for pipe making, i was going to just get a kit from sundance but thankfully i checked here in the forum before i made that purchase, unfortunately that leaves me with no clue on what im going to need to get, what kind of tools will i need to start on basic pipe making, marbles and other small work like that until i can expand into a larger workload. oh and did i mention that im on an extremely restricted budget ($500 is about what i can afford right now)

Any help would be greatly appreciated, iv come almost to my wits end looking for this stuff and im just not having any luck.

[Dom]

Check generationglass.com

They have nice starter kits that are price fairly and you might be able to get what you are looking for, but 500 to start is not much..

Do a search on here for topics like "starting out" etc. There is some info on what to get for a newbie.

[gmkcpa]

3/4" marbles = small torch. 1 1/2" marbles = big torch. Pipes work about the same way. Small torch = oxycon. Big torch = tanked oxy. Small objects = small kiln. Big, big objects = big kiln. Making small stuff = a little startup money. Making big stuff = alot of startup money.

[quincy]

i used to think guys on this forum were cranky for ripping on a dude for asking this question, but it really does get asked all the time. i can see how this, or "alot" could drive someone over the edge :crazy:

check out the search function at the top of the page and any stickied posts you come across - like any awesome forum you find on the web, most of the important questions to get someone started have already been answered [what kind of torch/fuel/tools/ventilation/- plus tons of other questions])

instead of a join date a forum member's "age" could be counted in these types of posts... :D

not to be an arse, hopefully some of the information below will be helpful:

tools i use the most (to make a pipe or marble): tweezers, graphite pad or paddle that can lay flat, claw grabbers (medium sized), bowl push, marble mold

torch: given your limited budget, i'd go with a national 3a hand torch and find a stand to secure it .

you'll need to keep in mind the costs of a nonflammable bench, a ventilation system, a kiln (if you want to save the art you make), fuel (+ associated hardware [regulators, hoses, hose clamps, etc.]), glasses and glass. this can get expensive [I]real fast. some of the best package/individual deals i have seen were on this forum (glassifieds). when i started i purchased my stuff from here, ebay (deals can be found sometimes), generations glass, wale apparatus, and mountain glass arts. to get the absolute best deal you'll have to weigh how soon you need/want things versus what's on sale where.

oh, and welcome to the board! :chilling:

[Cosmo]

We need to make up a "getting started" thread and sticky it.

A list of suppliers, list of entry-level torches, tools, etc...

[quincy]

bookmarks that lead to some of my first purchases:

ABR Imagery, Inc. (http://www.dichroicimagery.com/)
ARTCO (http://www.artcoinc.com/)
Generations Glass (http://www.generationsglass.com/)
Trev's Glass (http://www.trevsglass.com/)
Mountain Glass Arts, Inc. (http://www.mountainglassarts.com/)

[Kurse Fireforge]

i should correct myself, i have $500 currently saved, but i am still adding to it... funds lately have been difficult to come by, but im still adding little by little. Thats kind of why im asking, what are some of the basic tools that i might be able to afford so that i might at least get started so when i can afford to upgrade ill have a few hours under my belt.

[Kurse Fireforge]

No its cool, to be honest im kind of new to the whole online forum thing and im still unsure how to use a forum properly... sorry to have inconvenienced you in anyway, but all the same thank you so much for the awesome replies, you have all been extremely helpful.

[Lub]

i got a sundance kit haha, i'm still blowing glass. only had to buy a paddle since

[rye]

to melt glass you need
a torch (National 6A $100),
a propane tank ($25) and propane regulator ($50-100),
an oxygen tank ($200 deposit, $70 rent/yr, $20/fill for me) and an oxygen regulator ($50-100), a section of T-grade hose ($30).
You should also buy flashback arrestors ($50) and a strong fan for ventilation ($75).

You also need glass to melt. Pipes are made from borosilicate glass (boro).
most people use 25mm x 4mm clear tube for bowls.
I started on 16mm x 2.3 making pendants and chillums to get the hang of things. its cheaper and quicker
You need a couple clear rods to weld on as handles (punties). A couple different sizes (4mm, 9mm, 12mm).
Buy a couple pieces or a bundle at first to try out different sizes.

You can use some tools you find around (pliers), but you need a graphite bowl push to make a bowl. You can shave down a 1/2 to 3/4 inch graphite rod for a bowl push, it costs $5 instead of $25.
These are the bare necessities to begin working and learning glass. Undoubtedly you will soon need more.

[menty666]

Nobody's mentioned it yet (or I missed it), but get a good pair of lampworking glasses, shade 3 minimum if you're going to go the boro route. Phillips seems to be cheapest, though you can get them through many of the same folks you'll be buying the other supplies from.

At the bare minimum get a good vent system, a kiln, and the glasses. The rest you'll fill in as you find them necessary, but you can practice melting and pulling rods from broken wine bottle glass if you really wanted to using just a sweating torch. Just keep in mind it won't melt like boro and it's not compatible with anything else. But for cheap practice glass, you can't go (to) wrong.
_________________

I like the idea to sticky a getting started thread. I've always wondered if there's a newbie season where getting started requests surge.

We were all new once, be patient :)

[GlassFreak]

NEED:
clip on flip up shades (unless you have welding glasses, shade 3 or 5) 28$
needle nose (you probly have)
reamer 25$
marble mold 30$
bowl push 20$
graphite pad 6x6 21$

i left claw graber off the NEED list because if you want to save money you could just go to walmart and buy a 2 pack of metal salad tongs for a buck, they work, not the best, but they work.

COULD GET LATER ON:
a few different sized graphite rods (for flaring and other random things) 3$+
masher/flatener 25$
claw graber 45$
mandrel & bead release. (for accent beads) 17$

*prices are from generations with no discount.

and then of course the torch you choose and all the hardware to make it work.

nortels are decent torches to start out on, but i was always told that if your planning on really getting into glassblowing, its better just to buy a torch that will handle anything you throw at it. that way you dont have to go through the hastle of getting a new torch if you get more serious. kinda the whole "id rather have a condom and not need it, than need it and not have it." thing...

[GlassFreak]

oh yea and i forgot venting, having air flow is important, especialy if your in a smaller area, the torch itself sucks oxygen right out of the air.

[CDot]

you never stop buying tools... i always "need" something. buy a paddle, tweezers, claw grabbers, a bowl press and octagonal reamer.. oh and something to score glass... if i could only pick 5 tools thats what they would be..

[GlassFreak]

i just use the back or sides of my marble mold as a paddle.