Will this setup work for what I want to do? (newbie here)

[alastingepiphany]

I am wanting to get into flameworking, mainly functional glass pieces and pipes no bigger than the 9 or 10 inch mark. The girlfriend will also be making beads on this future setup. I found a local package of used tools and a torch in good condition and I want to know if its a good setup for what I want to do (make spoons, bubblers, hammers, etc). I do plan on taking calsses but I want to have a full setup to pratice on before I dish out the money for classes.

For around $500 I can get this setup (see below), my question is will this be sufficient for my flameworking desires? What would you all say is the limit as far a size goes with the lynx? Also I know its not quite a full package and Ill need a kiln but besides that I dont know what else ill need, so if Im missing something important for pipe making please let me know.

GTT Lynx torch w/ hose
wheeled cutter
tweezer set(3)
graphite paddle
graphite bowl shaper (2 sizes)
graphite reamer
graphite marble shaper (2 sizes in 1)
shears
steel claw holders
inside-out steel claw holders
rod stand
leopard-print safety glasses with case


Any info regarding this will be much appreciated!

[hwcglass]

Welcome to the MP and to lampworking!!!

Hope you love it.

Sounds like a deal to me, if not for the money for the fact that it is local and it in one go.

You will still need a set of regulators and tanks.

Use the search function on this site and you will find many, many posts about getting set up. Call some distributors and ask them what deals they can offer you. If you are planning on taking a class go to where this class would be held and start asking questions.

Good luck, enjoy it.

[Icarus]

That's a good deal. Not the best deal ever in the universe good, but a solid deal nonetheless.

[minerdude]

Don't forget a good ventilation plan and read as much stuff as you can on this site. Read until your eyes are bloodshot everyday for a few weeks and you should start to get a handle on what you need / want to do with glass and all of the processes and steps involved. Also, a good teacher will save you more hours than you can count. Good luck!!

[Shatner]

Do you have pics of the torch face? The torch running? The Lynx alone could be worth nearly $500 alone. You make the rest of the difference up in the tools in that list.

Snag it. If you don't like the torch or flame working in general, you can recoup most, if not all, of your money.

DO IT!

[RamblezMarblez]

I'd buy a tube scorerer, reverse tweezers, bowl push with spike also....500 a steal of a deal...try 400 in person bc you still need tanks...100 for a small 80cf and about 10 bucks a fill...don't lease a tank...buy instead....stay outta the system! A 6x6 inch graphite plate, and 2 metal point holders will keep your glass off the dusty table...a cup wth water and a metal scrap bin to throw sharp hot glass scraps in, and a rubber mat to stand on... I made 300 by m0nth 4 by selling swizzle stixz and pendents!

[Icarus]

You could try $400 in person, but were I kicking out that deal at $500, I might suggest you go participate in sexual congress with yourself if you offered me $400.

If you're going to buy tanks, don't get 80's. You'll make three trips to use the same oxygen that you would for one 251 cf tank, and the fills aren't that much less.

[alastingepiphany]

Thanks to all for the advice :nerd:

I've already talked the seller down from $650 so i dont think they'll go lower. lol. So im assuming (since no one has said different) this torch will be a big enough torch to do spoons and bubblers up to about 10 inches?

This is what the setup looks like.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h126/alastingepiphany/1-13.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h126/alastingepiphany/2-10.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h126/alastingepiphany/3-8.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h126/alastingepiphany/4-4.jpg

[hwcglass]

im assuming (since no one has said different) this torch will be a big enough torch to do spoons and bubblers up to about 10 inches?

Yeah, in-lines too.

[CoyleCondenser]

Great deal, snag it. I don't personally know the flame size on a Lynx but I bet it would be a good torch to learn on, you might want more fire power if you have natural hand skills but there is only one way to find out.....

Make small marbles/pendant first and invest in clear and color glass- maybe spend the $$ for a class on the Contemporary Lampworking book series and the rest on a bunch of clear and colored rod and maybe some clear tubing. Basically the more practice you have before a class the more your gonna get out of it, maybe get at least 15-25 hr behind a torch first.

Also I think you can run the lynx off of an oxy generator, can anyone confirm that???

[wfsupply]

The lynx will run fine on an oxygen concentrator, 15psi minimum and the more of them you use the better. It'll be 80% of tanked oxy's potential on a good day.

THe Lynx is the center fire of the mirage, which I use a ton and you can learn for years on one if you want to. The bigger torches are really just lynxes plus more outer rings for melting in bigger and bigger and bigger stuff. You'll be fine for most things you can hold in your hands.

[Icarus]

So im assuming (since no one has said different) this torch will be a big enough torch to do spoons and bubblers up to about 10 inches?

Spoons? Definitely. 10" bubblers? Sure, you can do that on their. It may take you a while, but the skill to get you to be able to do that is going to take longer to acquire, and in the meantime, this is a good torch to learn on, that (if treated well) will also keep it's resale value, so when you get to the point where you want to be doing 10" bubblers, and you decide you want a bit more firepower, you can sell this off for little loss, and already have the center fire on all of the larger GTT's down pat.

DOOOO IIITTT!!!!

[Shatner]

Spoons? Definitely. 10" bubblers? Sure, you can do that on their. It may take you a while, but the skill to get you to be able to do that is going to take longer to acquire, and in the meantime, this is a good torch to learn on, that (if treated well) will also keep it's resale value, so when you get to the point where you want to be doing 10" bubblers, and you decide you want a bit more firepower, you can sell this off for little loss, and already have the center fire on all of the larger GTT's down pat.

DOOOO IIITTT!!!!

Pretty much this. Spoons no problem. Sherlock no problem. But by the time you acquire the knowledge and skill to make bubs, you'll probably be ready for a torch upgrade anyway. But at least you'll know how to work the center fire on any GTT, should you choose to stay with that torch company.