how would you make these holes?

[3ripmin]

i want to make these cool little things for gifts but im having a problem making the holes. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42937470&ref=fp_feat_13

i guess im wondering if there is a blank bubble with the big hole already in it that i can just buy. then i just need to make the smaller holes.

how would you go about making the holes? ive been thinking that grinding them would look the best. i saw one of these the other day and the hole were pretty janky. the big hole seemed like it was a factory hole compared to the little ones.

thanks for any help.

[gypsea]

ask wonka. he makes ornaments with a lg hole, then inserts sculptural components inside.

[Din]

Blow them in stages. Blow thinnish, melt back, blow again to build up a shoulder, so that you can pick the glass out, trim the bleb, and then ream them just slightly.

[menty666]

I've started making something similar :)

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1215057

If I were to guess on the ones you found, I'd say blow two thinned out bubbles where you want the little holes, do your big one, then go nuts on the weak little ones heating and picking.

[Mecha]

Hey, those things are pretty sweet menty!

[menty666]

thanks! I like 'em.

[AWhiskeyDrunk]

Hey, those things are pretty sweet menty!

+1 Man you've been blowing my mind all week... i make something similar but stuff Christmas things inside and make ornaments... never thought of making little terrariums. That moss is cool..

[Greymatter Glass]

flame pop the smaller holes, grind the larger hole, fire polish the edges....

that's how I would do it.

[3ripmin]

thanks everyone. im going to find out if it is a blank today, i believe it is.

[Islandglass Man]

Blow the bulb pop two holes use a tapered reamer to make the holes perfect. Then cut the bulb off the tube in your saw and fire polish.

Doug has a good idea also but I dislike grinding something that thin.

Bear

[somewhere]

I was agreeing with Doug but Bear has more experience so I'll flip flop a bit and go with the saw cut and flame polish.

[3ripmin]

i figured it out and i did it on a lathe. i blew a big bubble and then grabbed the bubble in the chucks. then i tore off the tube and that made the big hole. i turned the bubble to where i could spin it and open the small holes. then i turned it straight with the big hole facing up and added a loop. done deal.

the ones in my link are made from blanks for sure, they just do what i did without having to blow a perfect bubble.

ill try to post pics in a few days.

[Grape]

Those are cool!

[FredLight]

So you did it on a lathe.....but were you able to compete with $6.00 apiece?

My neighbor hit me up for these a month ago. I said no, because of size.

She said she'd take a smaller one if I could make it. I said no, because of price.

She said she would pay $10. I made one and then she said the hole was too small.

I figured to make a bigger hole, blow the bubble, attach hook at 90 degrees to the tube or point, punty straight across from tube, blow small port-hole at the top, then flame cut the point off to make the bigger mouth.

Should be way easier with a lathe.

[3ripmin]

So you did it on a lathe.....but were you able to compete with $6.00 apiece?

My neighbor hit me up for these a month ago. I said no, because of size.

She said she'd take a smaller one if I could make it. I said no, because of price.

She said she would pay $10. I made one and then she said the hole was too small.

I figured to make a bigger hole, blow the bubble, attach hook at 90 degrees to the tube or point, punty straight across from tube, blow small port-hole at the top, then flame cut the point off to make the bigger mouth.

Should be way easier with a lathe.

can you buy them for $6? i wouldnt doubt it. there is no doubt in my mind that they are made from flask blanks on a lathe, probably in china.

[Lub]

i think the 6 dollars was shipping? I looked at it and it said sold out, no price was shown, but at the bottom it said shipping was 6. Theres no way those are only 6 bucks with the plant and shit.

[3ripmin]

they sell for about $28.00.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43007729

i thought he was talking about just the glass. you can get the plants for 2 bucks.

[FredLight]

Sorry, I didn't explain. I saw the $6.00 for shipping too, but that's not what I meant.

My neighbor lady makes these plant ball projects and has bought a dozen or so already for $6.00 apiece.

The size is roughly that of a honeydew....8 inch or more. On the bottom of the box they come in there's a Made In China sticker.

[FredLight]

Yes, Just the glass. Your link shows the kit as $28.00.....

....so 2 bucks for plants, Plus 6 bucks for globe, plus markup of 20 bucks...

......equals $28.00....

...that's right. I just asked Nancy (neighbor) and she said that's how you make money.

[3ripmin]

I've started making something similar :)

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1215057

If I were to guess on the ones you found, I'd say blow two thinned out bubbles where you want the little holes, do your big one, then go nuts on the weak little ones heating and picking.

thats a really nice bubble, what size tubing did you use or is that a flask blank?

[menty666]

Thanks! I used some 40mm

[3ripmin]

well, here are 2 that i have made, if this works. of course ill put sand and crap in it, just showing the size.

[menty666]

sweet! nice job

[3ripmin]

thanks, menty. i think im going to buy a few blanks to make some perfect ones and some bigger tubing like some 5x5. i made these with 32 mill hvy. not the right size tubing for the job.

[FredLight]

Nice job, I really like the first one. I would skip the colored loops myself.

What's that size on those? Tennis ball, Baseball, Softball?

Mine are about baseball size, and I used 32mm.

I'm not making a habit of it though.

[3ripmin]

thanks, fred. i was wrong about the size tubing, i did these with 38 hvy and they are about 4 1/2 inches. i havent gotten any sand yet but im working on it. lol im going to grab a few tubes of 50 hvy tomorrow so ill make some bigger ones this week and post pics.

[3ripmin]

here are my first finished ones.

[menty666]

Awesome! My only suggestion would be to white balance your camera :D

[Swampy]

They look bloody good, well done that man.

[Glassroots]

So you did it on a lathe.....but were you able to compete with $6.00 apiece?


$6.00 was just for shipping, I didn't see the price of the item on there

[3ripmin]

thanks, guys. im happy with the way they came out.

[ras_eel]

great idea,nice job