Mobile Glass Shop

[turtleglass]

Has any one ever built a mobile glass shop ? Have ya thought about it, do you have any Ideas. Is it possible. Would you use an RV or Build it in a trailer and pull it with a van maybe? Do you think It would be possible to live on the road and blow glass if you had a mobile shop? Legally is it smart a Idea? Kinda a Fantasy I thought up on the way home from AGI, not sure if it could work. Ive had a few ideas of what I could do but would Love to hear all your thoughts on it ??? I know someone has to have done it or seriously thought about ways to do it. Glass blowers are freakin smart and not afraid to try things from what Ive seen.

[Albino Sasquatch]

yea you can make it work man im not sure on all the legal issues but you would need to find you a route like a bunch of shows or events to go to with your mobil glass lab. that way you can assure you do business and have a somewhat of a pland route. this is my goal as well ive lookd at alot of rvs they suk for space and you would have to heavily modify it. so i would do the trailer thing unless you get a rv pre guttd. one of these days man all over the country first then all over the world!

[TlkQ]

There's a woman with a setup in a horse trailer on LE.

[Ne2]

I have seen one that was built in the back of an old school bus... (they lived up front).

I have also thought about this and one of my design solutions was to build my bench attached to a lift gate. When you get to the show... Lower the gate and your bench is on the ground where people can see... when the show is over raise the gate and flip the bench into the back of the truck. (you will have to clear your bench every time you move since the bench is rolled 90 deg onto its side for travel).

The biggest problem is finding enough electricity to run an oven (I hate listening to a generator) Maybe you can find a propane generator.

David

[Pogo]

I did (http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29881)

[bzglass]

There is a couple few videos on youtube with this idea being utilized.

[Greymatter Glass]

Kati O'Meara and Brian Mortenson have a sweet studio in the back of a toy hauler RV. They drive it everywhere all the time, looks great.

[Campy]

The AK crew operates out of a RV and a trailer..

[p.j.]

ever heard of bob snodgras? he worked in a bus, and many other tour heads worked out of other vw's and the like

[turtleglass]

I did (http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29881)

Very cool setup!

[larren]

I converted an old beer truck into a mobile shop, the box was 7x7x15 I had 2 workstations in it and also had a small metal lathe and a drill press. It was a little cramped but not too bad.

[turtleglass]

ever heard of bob snodgras? he worked in a bus, and many other tour heads worked out of other vw's and the like

I have heard of him, I didnt know he worked out of a bus. Very cool I never considered a bus, but could def be an option. We had been planning on moving to denver area but This is starting to look like a reality for me We can always do that later. My gf is down to hit the road and give up nursing for a min if I teach her how to make stuff. She has made a few pendants (a couple have sold) and I think she has potential, she has steady hand and is creative. We have always fantasized about hitting the road for extended period of time. I think this could be a great experience and something I may look back on later in life and regret not doin if I dont do it. the road can be a tough place but No reason to not try right??

[turtleglass]

Kati O'Meara and Brian Mortenson have a sweet studio in the back of a toy hauler RV. They drive it everywhere all the time, looks great.

That would be an awesome set up!

[ALIEN!]

Tony from Goodstash has one, he rents it out too from what I've heard, IRS spycam pre-loaded for free.

[Mr. Whale dick]

i heard they cost eight7$

[justiceglass]

the road...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u1Ow7HQ5O8

[turtleglass]

LOL that songs funny!

[puddletown]

the benefit of using a trailer is that you can use your tow vehicle to do any errands while your trailer is parked at the rv park or wherever.

I would definitely recommend a propane generator as they will last much longer and probably be quieter.

I have thought about this quite a bit lately...

also the benefit of putting your set up in a trailer is that if you find a house without a work space you will still be able to work at home as long as you can park your trailer there.

And gutted trailers are cheap to find

[turtleglass]

Im tryin to do research on Toy haulers, trailer & van combos, buses, or whatever Would work. If I can figure out a good way to do this, Im Doin It. I love bein on the road! Any help would be awesome :)

[turtleglass]

the benefit of using a trailer is that you can use your tow vehicle to do any errands while your trailer is parked at the rv park or wherever.

I would definitely recommend a propane generator as they will last much longer and probably be quieter.

I have thought about this quite a bit lately...

also the benefit of putting your set up in a trailer is that if you find a house without a work space you will still be able to work at home as long as you can park your trailer there.

And gutted trailers are cheap to find

Puddletown great Idea!!

Exactly My point on having a shop where Ever and even if we do move to SOmewhere eventually I got a shop all ready parked in driveway or wherever.

Great points and What I been considering as well. Are there propane generators large enough to run a complete shop setup?

[turtleglass]

Spent alot of time thinking about this and looking at things online the last couple days. Most things Ive looked at are around 8 ft width which works and is same as shed I work in now - Im looking for atleast 10ft length for shop space which again is about same as shed im in now.

****SO Basicly first decision to make is what route to go as far as Vehicle/trailor/rv choice

I originaly thought was a Conversion van thats been decked out to live in and A 12 or 14 ft enclosed trailer that wired up and rigged to be just a shop.
we have Been wanting a van for a while so one person can sleep in a bed while we moving and we can shift drive on long crosss country hauls.

But, I own neither, lol and seems like could be an expensive option @ this point. Allthough This will be my home and transportation so Thought Being able to un hook shop and just Use van would be nice as well as the sleeping in vehicle in a bed while other is driving. Allthough I own a Bike and have no problem riding it for in town traveling. Just not sure how big of trailer a conversion van can pull? This is also prob the shortest option as far as total legth from front bumper of vehicle to back bumper of trailer. So would be easyiest for driving, specially in citys or traffic right? Also would be easiest to fit in someones yard, drive way due to small size. the other options are much longer and thus I would assume harder to find spots for. But if we end up somwhere for longer than a week Were Living in a Van, lol. I think I could do it for long time and Am used to life on the road in a truck @ this point, but the other options after this could be more comfortable. But the Size thing???????

I do own a 05' Ford f150 with 170,000 miles on it (Ive had it 3 years in Nov. and it had 18000 miles on it when I got it, LOL, Like i said Im used to being on the road)

Think Trucks got atleast another year in it maybe :/ kinda freaks me out though

So other options would be a 20 - 22ft or larger enclosed trailer thats wired up and rigged as living quarters (basicly just a bed and storage) and glass shop. Ive seen a few of these on craigslist but may build from scratch if this is chosen. Im concerned about heat, airflow and comfort in a trailer, specially as using it as a home as well. It would be rigged up to an a/c but doubt unless you were plugged in somewhere you cun run a/c and the whole shop on a gas or propane generator.?? what do you think. Maybe Muultiple generators? We do go places from time to time for a week with no elec. hookups. The Nice part about big enough trailer Is i could maybe fit my Harley into as well and move it out when were stopped Because of open floor plan you can set up however. Down side is Still traveling In Truck and there is no getting good sleep in it so no Extended Shift driving possible really. I know from experience

First two options have no sink shower toilet- Not sure If we really need em though since we mainly would be @ camp grounds or staying in friends yards etc...... But Im sure they could be nice, I duno - They could be worked into the trailer option maybe with a lil longer trailor and some research on how to rig em up but unless spending even more money on a Roadtrek or similar RV van the van options prol wont have any of those.


third option is pull a toy hauler camper with truck. Still no shift driving really but now will have shower toilet sink stove fridge -alot of ammeneties of home when were able to hook up to em (key point- how often will have option of hooking up). Would have to find one that has bed not in the garage area so it has a seperate atleast 8X10 garage but prefer larger. This means usually alot longer camper. This is also the heaviest option I assume and the trailer option prol would be lighter thus getting me better gas mileage right?? You still can unhook from truck - but chances of having enough space for Harley too is slim *the Harley thing is not at all mandatory*** Just would be great to bring it with me- RIGHT ! HArdest to drive with this option and park @ someones intown house, but Like having a house wit you eveywhere.

We will be vending @ diff types of things from time to time while on the road so the ease doin that need to be considered. We have not done this yet so any thoughts on how that could play into this decision would be awesome.

fourth option would be some sort of Motorhome or Bus thats gutted or half gutted and turned into shop slash mobile home- def has to be most expensive option right? And you would have no other vehicle to drive and your shop would always be with you always (good or bad i dunno ). You Maybe could have a small scooter with ya , lol. But again you would have more home like amenaties when able to hook up to em. Atleast with this option you would not be pulling a trailer.

I do have long hair and a beard and Im young so I think a bus would just get me hassled all the time.

I guess any of these could be stopped @ a walmart, rest area, truck stop and slept in. But van and motorhome would be the most on the Down Low for sleeping there.

Also Things to think about are power/electricty/generator situation. I imagine the toy hauler rv's or motorhomes generator and or power system could not handle having a shop also goin. So you would have to have seperate elec sytems I assume and would have to do similar thing if converting an enclosed trailer right or bus?? I know very little about electricity and correct ways to do things. Specially In a mobile situation like this.



Could a gas or propane generator power a vent fan or fans, shop lights, kiln, personal fan and small radio? what would be best way power this thing ? Could it generators contained somewhere permanent?

I would obviously wanna use quite generators, no one like those loud ones.

Thanks in Advance to anyone who can throw in there 2 cents !!!! I really wanna think this out and do it the best way I can.


Thanks - JR

[jseden]

Ive basically spent the last couple years at festivals and Im trying to do something like this next summer... Seems like gutting a bus would be best for sleeping/living space and I plan on doing most of my work outside (no ventilation to deal with, no glass trash in the bus (you know it gets everywhere)

no sink. shower or toilet with this option but thats what campgrounds are for

Would probably buy a moped too for basic arrons... cant be driving a bus everywhere

honda generators are easily the quietest ones out there btw.

[turtleglass]

Ive basically spent the last couple years at festivals and Im trying to do something like this next summer... Seems like gutting a bus would be best for sleeping/living space and I plan on doing most of my work outside (no ventilation to deal with, no glass trash in the bus (you know it gets everywhere)

no sink. shower or toilet with this option but thats what campgrounds are for

honda generators are easily the quietest ones out there btw.



I def know bout honda generators :) Been wanting one for awhile

We been doin festies as non vendors for five years now and Ive done just guerilla style vending this year, I just started blowing glass in Jan. Wind rain , and weather in general can be a bitch @ times and would love to have an actual shop. But we got an easy up I guess we could always hook it up with some wind blocks and torch away. Im wanting to get my work in shops all over the country and Were wanting to find more art style show or craft fairs or things like that where the customer base is not mainly just broke ass people on drugs. But we will never not go to our favorite festies and shows and if your there you might as well be working.

[Dragonharper]

Turtle,
We have friends that travel the Ren Faire circut and *Live* out of a large camper trailer, think fifth wheel here, in fact it is the only residence. When not on the road they have a piece of property the park it on. They pull it with a Ford F350 diesel. The truck was customed for construction use so it has lots of bins and such. ANYTHING can be done if you have the $$$, doing on the cheap takes being creative. As far as generators go I'd personally look into several small ones as opposed to one huge one. You could even by one sized to run the kiln, and then a smaller one to run the camper. Campgrounds can get testy if you start using 60-70 amps from the post. :D Sounds like you have this adventure well thought out. I'm just starting on the glass journey, but I might be your shoes in 5 years or so. Have fun!!

[fyrsmith]

There's a guy in Juneau AK who converted a tour/shuttle bus to a mobile studio. He sells out of it when the cruise ships come in.

[turtleglass]

Thanks for your help everyone. Think Ive Decided on a Class C motorhome toyhauler. Ill keep yall posted, searching for one now.

[turtleglass]

Does anyone have any Idea on how to go about keepin my oxy tanks filled while on the road?? Will places trade for or fill my tanks??

[Greymatter Glass]

There's a guy in Juneau AK who converted a tour/shuttle bus to a mobile studio. He sells out of it when the cruise ships come in.

That was Brian, they're rockin' a much nicer shop now. The toy hauler RV setup is sweeeeet.

[LTD]

Does anyone have any Idea on how to go about keepin my oxy tanks filled while on the road?? Will places trade for or fill my tanks??

I replied to this earlier... guess I didn't hit the submit button:bangHead:
Anywhere there is an airgass they will swap out your tanks as long as you own them. Owner tanks(from airgass) have a purple ring.

[Greymatter Glass]

Owner tanks(from airgass) have a purple ring.

No they don't.... at least it's not a national or company policy.

I own 2 "K" tanks and I just swap them out as needed. Airgas has me in their system as customer owned tanks and don't charge a lease on them. I don't think I've ever actually seen the tanks I bought so many years ago, since i bought them from Airgas (used) I got whatever they had filled on the dock at the time.

The first time you bring them in they will look at the dates on the tank, if they're within 1 year of inspection being due they will pro-rate the inspection fee and then swap the tanks, and that's it. If they'er expired you pay the full inspection fee, and you're good to go.


As for getting tanks filled on the road - 2 ways to go. One is to find the welding supplier in your current town who will swap tanks on a cash account. Two is to run a system like the EX2000 that fills the tanks off a concentrator. Whenever you stop and have power you fill the tanks.



Oxygen tanks are kind of a bearer instrument. If you have one + money it's good for a full one. The local shops here all have each others tanks in their yards. From time to time they will do an audit and call up the other guys and swap out tanks. Like Airgas will trade 20 AirWeld tanks for 20 of theirs, and Matheson will have 30 Airgas and Airgas will have 10 Mathesons, so they will swap out 10 for 10... it's an informal system that works out in the end.

I would say probably 2/3 of the tanks I see at Airgas don't have an Airgas marking on the tank, just a sticker, and it's usually covering one or more from other suppliers.

[LTD]

Everywhere I have worked airgass tanks have a purple ring. I assumed it was everywhere, not just the midwest and oregon. Owner tanks everywhere I have been from any company have some sort of markings showing that they are owner tanks.

[TlkQ]

So I'm about to buy a T tank from a friend. Are you telling me I shouldnt have trouble swapping it out at Airgas?

[LTD]

Is it marked as an owner tank?

[TlkQ]

I don't know yet. I will tomorrow. This is that purple ring you speak of eh? it was bought from a scientific shop that went under

[LTD]

the collar just under the threaded part the cap screws on to is painted purple on all the owner tanks from airgass out here (oregon). Some , not all, are stamped 'owner' or 'rental'

[Dragonharper]

I posted yesterday but it vanished. I you have proof of ownership, sales receipt etc., that's all that most welding supply shops need/require.

[turtleglass]

That was Brian, they're rockin' a much nicer shop now. The toy hauler RV setup is sweeeeet.

Ive actually been speaking with him all last weak. I agree his setup is awesome! I actually purchased a FUN mOver toy hauler last night :D Im really excited. Goin to be fun building the new shop in it.


And Great info on oxy everyone!!!!!

[turtleglass]

[QUOTE=Greymatter Glass;531653]


As for getting tanks filled on the road - 2 ways to go. One is to find the welding supplier in your current town who will swap tanks on a cash account. Two is to run a system like the EX2000 that fills the tanks off a concentrator. Whenever you stop and have power you fill the tanks.



QUOTE]


Can you or anyone else give me specifics on how the ex2000 option works/how to rig it up. How much electricity is needed to run it?


Thanks :turtle:

[drew1492]

If you end up looking for a camper i know that they just auctioned off a bunch of fema trailers in Macomb, IL. You might check around and see if anywhere is auctioning off some any time soon, they sold like 500 trailers and you could get one at a decent price.

[raven sun]

i have been thinking about doing this... i have two motorhomes, one in good shape for living in, and one needs to be remodeled inside... i have seen many setups like these over the years, never heard of any problems that werent solvable, just like any glass setup...

honda gennys are the way to go, unless you have the $, then get a diesel genset, will provide much more power...

most important... make sure your engine runs good... broke down=SUCK... for me, since i do all my own work, i will be taking a full assortment of tools, including spare parts and equipment to make repairs on the road... be prepared...

[turtleglass]

I have an RV I got It yesterday!!! said that earlier but still excited been thinking bout setup all day :) :turtle:

[Dragonharper]

Congrats!

[turtleglass]

Should have some pics up today!!

[turtleglass]

Here are pics of camper, love to hear what yall would do. Im thinkin pull everything off of the wall on the right. Build bench that folds up then ataches to wall. Oxy tanks and kiln behind me on ther wall. Cords and hoses run out the openings at bottom of walls. Not sure what to do for ventilation but there is two vents in area on ceiling. Pull out all the carpet in shop area. trying to decide on road worthy color holding idea as well as clear tube and rods. When we are driving the bench will be attched to wall and my Harley will be tied down in that spot, so glass storage also wall behind me when Im workin or in moveable containers maybe. Also need idea to protect kiln from road vibrations while traveling. Im goin to get a honda generator to run the kiln or have it plugged in to a seperate breaker than the rest of the camper so we can still run a/c if needed @ the same time. there is one plug in with two power bars in the shop. Im goin to plug fan for exhaust and shop lights into those outlets. cant wait to hear what yall think.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1140750004#!/album.php?aid=1789&id=100000909610456
more pics of whole camper on FB

[FiredDesires]

Fyrsmyth.....is there actually a guy in Juneau doing this, or were you thinking of my set-up here in Sitka? 28' converted tour bus, showcase, bed..ability to torch/kiln if/when I decide to travel with it. Right now it's a rolling showroom.
Catharine

[turtleglass]

Thats a sweet bus-- how did you do ventilation and your elec. for kiln?

[loydb]

That's gonna be a great setup. When you make your way near Austin, hit me up!

[FiredDesires]

The windows lift up, fans from behind pushing out nasties until I can get a exhaust set-up above torch table. I have a generator for power or will park where I can hook into electric. Lots more work is in the plans, storage racks on top roof..a tail gate rack for my tanks. Re-arranging the inside to hold small fridge, table top stove,paragon kiln, portapotty, ceiling racks..has a captains bed with 9 deep drawer storage, 2 tables & 2 captains chairs.
It will be awhile before I actually start traveling the lower 48, but look forward to going to shows, working some kind of a schedule and meet many more glassies.