supplys for just starting?

[kankoon52]

hey i am just going to be starting glassblowing and i was wondering what are some good supplys for starting out? like what is some good glass rods and colors to use?
i have pretty much decided on on of these torches for my first
Carlisle mini cc
Nortel Major w/o premix
Nortel Red Max w/o premix
Gtt lynx

i have heard those are all pretty decent torches to start with?

what about these kilns?
Aim 84BD
Aim 94BD
Jen Ken Chilli Pepper

i have never blown glass before but i have wanted to for a long time now. its just amazes me what people can make with a torch and some glass and i really want to get into it. im in no big hurry to be blowing heady pieces by next month or anything i understand it takes many many hours behind the torch to get it down. any books or videos that will significantly help? thanks for all the help any advice/comments are welcome

[somberbear]

get a lynx easier to trade out... while on the other hand you can always use a red max for something... like a second station etc...

the 84bd is good i have one... trevs or a few others have like 10% off cost of all aim.. i expaneded mine for like 100 bucks

i kinda wish i got the 99ls i think it is would of been a bit more convenent.... i never really liked the chilli pepper i would probably just build one instead of paying for it...
aswell your going to want a digi controler asap.... and have a pyromiter around if nothing else but back up...

to start out i say learn fuming (if you have adiquite vent) and pick up some cheap cobalt, and some striking red... they are nice colors to learn with and learn striking... then pick up differnt size tube and rod.. when you run outta color fuming can do alot of cool stuff. and clears cheap... as for learning more colors get sample packs , abes , momka , ns , ga infact pritty much all fo them have sample packs...

[somberbear]

as well theres the 500 dollor challenge and soon there will be another one...

as well theres alot of info online... and get hand tools pliers and a couple graphite plate and rods and bbq tongs etc... use the search feature...

[burnoutboy]

i say, go w/ the red max, you can get a wide range w/it.

as for everything else.....

just take some time here and look around, you've come to the right place!

many times i've had questions, and the answer i got in return was,
what i have now told you.

[kankoon52]

yea i have been doing a lot of researching and searching on different sites the past couple days. thanks for all the help and yea i was leaning between the red max and the lynx.

[Royal]

good to see you made it over kankoon. lots of good info over here.

[kankoon52]

yea this site deffinetly has a lot of useful knolegde about the glass world!

[mindblowingglass]

I say Go with the red max. Though I would go with the premix top
(unless you dont plan on fumeing or are only working soft glass)
The resale value on the red max doesnt compare to the GTT's but the Red max
will not need to be upgraded as soon as you would a lynx.

Honestly if you are leaning towards the lynx Id say do a used mini cc instead.
Yes the GTT will give you a better resale, but say you pay $400 for the lynx and can sell it at say $375 You pick up a used mini cc for around $125-$130 when you sell it, sell it for $100-$125 you are not really loseing much (if any) and it keep the extra $300 for other needed equipment.)
As well I personaly wouldnt recomend any GTT to a newbie. (as they are more easily damaged by inproper flame charecteristics than any other burner)
Again I say go for the red max
My 2cents for what its worth.

[kankoon52]

what are the main differences in the premix and the non premix? i was told the non premix would be better for making pipes and stuff liek that

[kankoon52]

am i going to need blow tubes? and if so where can i get them i havent seen them on any of the sites?

[baggedchevys]

i use 10 mil med or heavy wall for my blowtubes. also i have ared max and love it for the most part but wish i wouls have orderedt the pre mix . the surface mix just doesent get that hot and is more suited for beads so if you dont plan on makin soft glass beads that might be something to ponder

[rumplephorskin]

surface mix burners are great; but they take a bit of getting used to if you start out on premix first. if youve never used either; I recommend the surface mix right from the start. They are way nice to your colors.

[Satori]

I agree with rumple - get the surface mix. While the premix will definitely give you a thinner/hotter flame, the surface mix is nicer to colors and easy to fume with.

Just my thoughts...I love my red max surface mix.

[kankoon52]

hmm alright then it sounds like the surface mix is a better bet.

[slinger]

surface mix :)

tool wise, get a small reamer, a graphite bowl push, a graphite plate, tweezers, tungsten pic, needlenose pliers(for nipping gold and silver)...

[kankoon52]

alright cool thanks for all the help guys! hopefully with a lot of work ill be able to blow crazy shit like you marbslinger!

[rumplephorskin]

talk to arrow springs in shingle spring california for your tools they have the best you can get and very fair prices

[kankoon52]

do they have a web site or a catalog or something?

[kankoon52]

nevermind i found there site. on there kilns do i need a fusing and annealing kiln or just one? which should i have?

[rumplephorskin]

i wouldnt use them for kilns use them for hand tools
get 1 foot tweezers
small and medium claw grabbers
a small and large paddle
a 12x 12 carbon plate
a small and large octagon reamer
and thatll keep you busy for a while
if you still have even more money to spend we can help you find more to buy;)

[rumplephorskin]

for kilns try victorian art glass, theyve been getting rave reiews around here lately.
where are u located??? it might save you money if we know where to send u for a kiln

[kankoon52]

i live in portland oregon. and yea i dont need all the tools yet just the basic ones.