Tool Talk for a n00b

[Mike_F]

I have been reading and trying to find specific tools that are a must have for a beginner. Not just say a push tool, scissors and the like, but brand names that are good, and maybe even some to avoid. I know that not all tools are created equal. I will be getting a Lynx in a couple of weeks, and need the basics. Call it a beginners kit of sorts, one that I will buy piece by piece. I know how to make a few beads and have no real tools. I want to learn how to make pendants, spoons, ornaments, and marbles.

Thanks for helping a n00b not waste money.

Mike

[Lmwfy]

Really don't want to waste money?









Find someone to show you the ropes ;)

[Mike_F]

Yeah, that would be nice, but it will have to wait. I found a few helpful threads on tools. I was looking in the wrong place. Sorry.

[dOprah Winfrey]

Mike,

Just wanted to pass along that mountain glass arts offers (or atleast offered me) 5% off on a bunch of tools and things that made a "starter kit" or sorts. Just e-mail them and ask if you can mix and match tools and equipment for a starter kit. They offered the 5% off everything but GTT's (which you've already obviously taken care of.) for first time customers.

Just saw that you were worried about saving cash and 5% can end up being a decent chunk of scratch when dropping big money for tools.

As far as looking for quality, I'd advise against "discount" or "economy" wire grabbers. They will work fine for a little while, but I've noticed that mine which are only 3 or so months old are starting to lose their grip if you will. Dropping hot pieces right as you take the blow tube off is a pain. As far as a bowl push goes, I suggest getting a graphite rod and sanding it to shape to save huge. Also a graphite plate sawed in half and stacked on kiln bricks can save you some decent money on a "L" marver, untill you get the cash to buy a torch mounted one.

Hope this helps, good luck with everything,
-Travis

ps. are you ordering you gtt directly from them? Just curious because I'm on the wait list for a torch that is supposed to be done when the lynxs are. Just curious because I hear what they claim the wait is, and what is actually ends up being can vary. Didn't want to call them and bother them again if someone else had talked to them recently.

[Mike_F]

Thanks for the info.
As far as who I am ordering the Lynx from, I havn't decided yet, hopefuly it won't be an issue. It looks as though Trevs may have some, plus they are kinda local.

[Shatner]

There really are no "brand names" for the common tools. Just a few different sizes of tweezers, few sizes of carbon rods, maybe an octogonal reamer. You need glasses. I suggest phillips, at least shade 3.

You can do a lot with a carbon rod; flare, close, push bowls, marver.

You can do a lot with tweezers, too. A lot of the stuff you do with tweezers can also be done with a rod of 4mm rod.

But if you can, get some kind of instruction. Or dedicate a lot of time to read the threads here.