Newbie, needs help/advice

[mysticwindglass]

Hi all,

I'm new here, but been lurking for awhile. I have a prob, and don't know where to start....

I've been making beads for awhile now, getting along okay with it. Sold some here and there to pay for new glass, etc.

I've always said to my DH that I wanted to learn how to make pipes. Well today he surprised me with a case of tubing and a rod of every color of momka's and northstar. :( I have no clue where to begin. I don't want to dissapoint him, I really would like to learn, but I can't find anything on the web. I can find anything on beadmaking, but nothing on pipes, don't understand that. Oh, the tubing is Simax, um 32x2 and 6 rods of Simax 22x3 if that helps any. They are like 5 feet long.

Can someone point me in the right direction? Maybe a tut or two, a book, video. Also, I work on a minor. I've been told that my torch will handle it, but I don't know. I'm afraid to even try to mess with the tubing. It's freaking huge compared to the effetre that I work with. I don't even know if I have the right tools! Right now I think he can return it all with only a 25% restocking fee.

Oh yeah, one more thing. I have been reading on here to see if I can figure it out. Thought I could, I'm self taught beader. But I don't get the lingo at all. Anybody have a list of terms or something? :o

Thanks for any advice from a newbie in need,
B

[β]

Hey there, i'm kind of in the same boat, but acouple weeks ahead of you(w/boro but not glass in general). I would first suggest checking out the pipemakers FAQ.

http://www.uwm.edu/People/jrspitz/glass/gfaq.html#_I'm_ready_to_blow

This got me started, and i've been survivng of tidbits picked up here. I just ordered essential lamp working vol 1 as i hear that is a great video. If you want to deal w/sundance, they have a good spoon(typical glass pipe) video.

I say just go for it. Pull some points, melt some glass, throw away some glass, and have some fun. Good luck, as i'm sure some more experience torchers here will (please!!) chime in.

[β]

PS The ONE thing i found i HAD to do in the switch-over was to get GOOD DARK glasses. I got shade three, and wish i had shade 4 or 5. Good luck...

[mysticwindglass]

Hey thanks for the link! I'll check out Sundance for the video. I have glasses fortunately. I have a pair of glasses. I bought them before I started lampwork. I don't know what shade they are. Will have to check. I got them from auralens I think.

I think I will try it tomorrow. See what happens. I have a lampworking sculpture book that I have NEVER read, it does describe pulling points and stuff.

[Satori]

You'll only be able to make small spoons and chillums on a minor, but it's definitely doable. I suppose you could make some mini bubs too, but nothing with terribly large bubbles. I suggest going to www.technnicalvideorental.com and renting yourself some videos. Granted they don't have any pipemaking videos, but the color techniques used for i/o beads can easily be used for pipes. Then maybe find a website that carries pipemaking videos and buy a couple (yeah they're expensive, but unless you have access to someone who can teach you, they might be the best route to go.) Watch and learn what you can, then PRACTICE a lot! If you've got whole case, dive right in and get to it! Maybe start with just clear until you feel confident with your shaping, then start playing with color too. Don't give up and most of all, HAVE FUN!

[PyroChixRock]

And keep asking questions! If you try things first you'll know how to ask us better. ;) Welcome to the GLDG!

[JDeMoss]

I agree with Satori.....I would just use clear. Maybe fume it, but save your color...at least until you try it out a few times.

[Mr. Wonka]

Welcome aboard, B :) My best advice would be to find someone in your area that gives classes, or is willing to let you in their shop to show you some tricks. While you can teach yourself through books and videos, seeing it done first hand and being able to ask questions will save you lots of time and wasted materials. Try posting in the "people connection" sub forum and see if anyone is in your area. Again, welcome aboard, and good luck in your new adventure!


Oh yeah- one more thing.... if you want to learn how to make pipes (especially GOOD ones), don't listen to anything "Racer X" tells you :rollin

(I just had to throw that one in Racer!)

[mysticwindglass]

Thanks Mr. Wonka. I'll check the connection out, but I doubt there are any pipemakers in Utah. I've called across the state just to find soft glass, nope none here. Its a glass wasteland here. I did find a stained glass store that had a few morretti rods, I asked about boro. Said nope, was attracting the wrong kind of people! LOL

[Mr. Wonka]

Look around, and take a road trip if you have to... it will help you out more than any book or video.

[somberbear]

its easy to get supplys shipped...

as for pipe making , i say take a trip if you have too... as well your market sounds un tapped as of yet... which might be good or bad for you...

ask questions around here if you have too... but in all reality i would say find some one to teach you it saves so much frustration. and glass and gas.

thats not to say that it wont be a battle that youll have to fight every day to practice and expencive... but with proper respect and practice it can be done most every one on here is acomplished in one for or another. you just gotta keep your eye on the prize and keep working... threw burns and wonkie peices... to playing with puntys its just work...

if your hearts in it it will be alot easier and a trip to learn something you love is pritty easy for you to convence yourself of if not your wallet...

peace
rob
welcome to the board

[christopher]

Hey thanks for the link! I'll check out Sundance for the video.

I'm not trying to start a Sundance boycott or anything, but I just thought you should know that in general, you'll probably find that there are a lot better companies to deal with. IMO, it's better to start a good working relationship with a company that has good customer service, and people who know what they're talking about...

[Sol]

whaich sundance DOESNT......they suck....bad....and they overcharge........and they suck

[Sol]

D+L stained glass in boulder co and glasscraft in golden co have everything you need look em up, they have been in buisness for a while and have ok service.