1500$ Setup

[Finn ace]

Hello there fellow people, this is my first post so excuse me for any mistakes.

I have really wanted to start glassblowing for awhile. I have researched for weeks on end about torches, setups, tools, glass, and safety precautions. I have read many threads on whether to get a gtt lynx or cheetah and the conclusion I ended up with, was that I should just get a scorpion. If I like glass blowing that much, then I wont have to upgrade my torch as soon, with progression of course. Also, if I decide to stop, I can resell my gtt because they hold good value. I have $1500 to spend.

My Questions are:
1. Can i get a Scorpion and still have enough to buy basic setup?
( with oxy, prop,tubing, fb arrestors, ext...) (-$800 for the Scorpion)

2. I have been looking on sundance glass but a recent youtube video I watched said their website is designed to rip off novice glass blowers.....
So is there any better websites?

3. Thirdly, I will be running tanks but where can I get oxy? None of the home depots or lowes I called have it.


If you read all of this I truly thank you for helping!:bouncy:


tl;dr

Can I buy a GTT Scorpion and the essentials to start glassblowing on a $1500 budget? Thanks!

[maxtsunami]

For $1500, you're pushing it for a full setup including a scorpion. It's probably doable if you scrounge for equipment (especially a kiln, check craigslist), but it won't be easy. I spent $1800 to get started and I bought a redmax ($500). Keep in mind that there will be ongoing costs for glass, propane, and oxy.

I will say this about Sundance: their products are of decent quality (in my own experience, I ordered most of my basic equipment from them), but the only advantage to them over another company is that their website is a little more noob friendly. If you order from Wale Apparatus, Mountain Glass, or ABR Imagery, you should be able to get cheaper stuff as long as you know what you're looking for.

For oxy, you might look on google maps for a local welding supply company, a lot of people use Airgas/Praxair but they have notoriously high prices. Chances are, if you live in the middle of nowhere, they're the only ones you can get. You want a 300 cubic foot tank.

Hope this helps!

[Finn ace]

Thanks for the reply!

So what your saying is, without a kiln, I should fine. I just want to get the torch functional, and start learning basics.

I live in South FL so I going to locate a welding shop for the oxy.

Don't I just need a Marvering pad and some glass for the basics?

Thanks again.

[maxtsunami]

Uh, that depends on what you want to make!

EDIT: that means tell us what you want to make so we can help you figure out what tools you need

[Finn ace]

True facts, thanks again!

[Finn ace]

Oh lol, I want to make marbles at first and in the future I would like to make, pipes, bubs, sherlocks, mini tubes, ext

[maxtsunami]

Well then you should get a marble mold, there are some good 3-6 hole marble molds on abr at least. Marbles are fun, but not always sellable, so if you don't have a steady source of income that goes towards glass as just a very expensive hobby, you should probably get a 2mm - 16mm (or something in the range of 16) reamer and a pair of tweezers so you can make some pendants and spoons. I use a pair of forceps which I sawed the locking mechanism off of, they work great, and they were only like 1.95. When you're ready to move up to pipes, you'll need some salad tongs with kevlar pads or a set of claw grabbers, the tongs are a bit cheaper and dont have any chance of scraping the glass, but the claw grabbers are a bit more reliable and if you get a good lock with them, they don't usually scratch. It's mostly personal preference, but most people use claw grabbers.

[TlkQ]

Save more money.

[menty666]

I've launched far too many things across my bench out of claw grabbers, so be careful.

Don't forget to include glasses, ventilation, and a safe work surface in your calculations.

Also, unless you're making 1/4" marbles, you'll really want a kiln. 1/4" you can cool (for your own collection) in a fiber blanket. But anything bigger you start taking risks of it cracking.

If you're going to get a Scorpion and can't find/lift/afford to get tanked oxy, you can run it on concentrators. Search around for KBinkster's posts about the scorpion and you'll get some idea of what you'd need to power it. Keep in mind, that'll affect your budget and also how striking colors behave.

[Jiggy Boro]

Get a red max. Awesome torch for half the price great beginner torch. I got almost everything from a cat on craigslist. Kiln,torch,tank,various tools, regulators, fatty box of color shorts and a box of 38x4 schott tube, and a few small rods all for 900. He wanted 1100, but I he let it go for 900. Do some digging Youll find something.

[nodice]

Nice first post. I remember two from last month just like it. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9q2jNjOPdk)

[nodice]

Here is one. (www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?48008-Setting-up-a-budget-work-space) "search"

[Milkman]

This isn't a cheap operation. Going cheap isn't really an option unless you are graced with a super good deal on equipment. I've got right at 2 grand in everything in my studio and still have what I consider a baby torch. Like TlkQ said save more money and do it right.

Its hard to want to wait, trust me im about the most impatient person around, but you will appreciate it when you have everything properly together.

[Chubbles]

I have a brand new glassblowing kit I will sell you for for $1300. AIM 84bd analog kiln with bead door, nortel midrange plus with a minor top, premier industry regs, walewear shade 3 glasses, and all the tools and graphite you need. It's a good deal. Also I'm in St Pete, which can't be more than 3 hours from you. If you drive to pick it up, I will do a 3 hour intro class for $100. Let me know.

[truedef]

I spent so much today, $580 just for the following:

Regulators for oxygen and propane
Tgrade hose
flash back arrestors
80Cu Ft Oxygen Tank
20lb Propane Tank

Then my torch was: 420
Kiln: 650
Glass: 180
Tools: 250+ and counting
Glasses: 2 pairs @ 50$each
Table/Studio area: 50-70$ (Home made)
Inline fan, duct, and other nick nacks for ventilation: $100

I know I am forgetting something... and thats over 2,356.00!!

And my kiln was second hand, with little use and saved $200 on that.

[maxtsunami]

I spent so much today, $580 just for the following:

Regulators for oxygen and propane
Tgrade hose
flash back arrestors
80Cu Ft Oxygen Tank
20lb Propane Tank

Then my torch was: 420
Kiln: 650
Glass: 180
Tools: 250+ and counting
Glasses: 2 pairs @ 50$each
Table/Studio area: 50-70$ (Home made)
Inline fan, duct, and other nick nacks for ventilation: $100

I know I am forgetting something... and thats over 2,356.00!!

And my kiln was second hand, with little use and saved $200 on that.

I can't think of a $420 torch that's gonna run well on an 80cf oxy tank... Plan on getting that thing refilled often or lease a 300cf one.

[Finn ace]

I have a brand new glassblowing kit I will sell you for for $1300. AIM 84bd analog kiln with bead door, nortel midrange plus with a minor top, premier industry regs, walewear shade 3 glasses, and all the tools and graphite you need. It's a good deal. Also I'm in St Pete, which can't be more than 3 hours from you. If you drive to pick it up, I will do a 3 hour intro class for $100. Let me know.

Whoah thats killer! Im going to pm you!

[truedef]

I can't think of a $420 torch that's gonna run well on an 80cf oxy tank... Plan on getting that thing refilled often or lease a 300cf one.

What about the bbq tanks? Thats the propane I am using.

[Milkman]

The bbq ones will be ok for now, propane lasts way longer than the fuel in an 80 cf oxy tank. Im on a national with sm21 tip and I will burn that 80 tank in a few hours.

[Captain Glass]

Where are you located in south Florida ?
Also chubbles deal is a good one for sure and I can tell you from personal experiances that he is a great teacher. Hit him up dude you won't regret it.

[truedef]

dont forget ventilation!