Hand blown beaker cans?

[ALIEN!]

Anyone have any advice on making beaker cans by hand? I don't have a lathe and am never satisfied with the way they turn out, often are not straight and a bit wavy. Been doing them on 50x5 on a Mirage.

[khan]

Whats a beaker can?

[ALIEN!]

^ cone shaped section for a bong

[Ybot]

Im also keen to know. i watched a few good vids but all on lathes.. :(

[bildo]

No expert here for sure. Are you using one hand or two? Are you adding the clear blank to stem before you beaker or after?

[Udai Hussien]

like from the mullets?

[BORO]

I treat it like the biggest goblet top my torch can handle . All at once one go if I can , or you get the wavy un even thickness glass . I always grab more stock of 50mm than I think I need.( 50x7 here , but I use 50x7 for my 50x5 ) You can always pull off extra glass. If you use a small point to start , the end product may feel jank , and thin/light weight ........ My beakers got better when I started to add a section to the bottom of the beaker . This allows you to make more of a goblet to start , adding the section to the lip of the goblet . As you melt them together , this gives you a chance to widen the bottom into more of the beaker shape ......... The large open top on the goblet gives you more room to put intricate parts inside the beaker ,a added bonus....... Here is a large recycler I just made at a demo (in just over 3 hours ), 18mm , 11.5" by 10" , the beaker was just over 5" wide, triple arm inline , each arm tagged to the beaker. Input on the recycler off to one side , so it spins like a toilet flushes ( tornado) It may not be pretty ( a test of speed and function not perfection ) but something relevant to look at anyhow....................557935579455795

[silicabello]

If its small, you can pretaper on marver most of it, heat the end rounded part and flatten the bottom on the graphite pad, would like to know myself how larger ones get done. Maybe two graphite plates?

[funksizzle]

hey yo boro, is that a dry or wet?

If wet, how far is the recommended fill?

Also, did you comb the bubble on the bottom of the can there, or attach disk? Or did you encalmo the comb section? Nevermind, you goblet topped it, and added disk.

Do you think encalmoing the comb will give a more solid weld appearance on the bottom?

Would a bridge from the right side middle of the flat disk to the flask help weld it to the goblet top appear more solid? You kno like two rods from about the middle where your punty is on the disk, then weld to a couple stratigical marble avolios, for a sort of bridge. Even while your punty on disk is attached, then weld the fucker in good?

[jr23]

How long a section of fifty by 5 are you using. For a decent size one with good thickness you will need 8 or 10 inches of tubing.
Working by hand I would heat that up slow and even and make a nice thick ball. Then get your biggest puffy flame kicking and paddle down blow tube side and the paddle bottom flat and add a blow tube on bottom.

Rip off blow tube on taper side open to size you need and attach.

Working you rollers will help .

That's just one way to skin the cat by hand.

[Dom]

Cant offer any advice as I dont do these ever.. but my idea would be lots of rollers as well.

[ALIEN!]

After taking this out of the kiln (made it shortly before I started this thread) Im thinking maybe im being overly critical of myself. This piece turned out pretty decent.

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq153/lienjake/mini%20beaker%20RWB/IMG_0817_zps4eb0665d.jpg (http://s443.photobucket.com/user/lienjake/media/mini%20beaker%20RWB/IMG_0817_zps4eb0665d.jpg.html)

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq153/lienjake/mini%20beaker%20RWB/IMG_0815_zps345fc03a.jpg (http://s443.photobucket.com/user/lienjake/media/mini%20beaker%20RWB/IMG_0815_zps345fc03a.jpg.html)

I start by blowing out the bottom to desired width and a shape thats closer to flat than round, then move to the rest of it and try to stretch down the whole thing all at once.

I think I just need to practice on these a bit more and Ill be where I want to be. Thanks for the input all.

[Bglass]

Great Piece! love the exposed spiral neck! and very very clean.
How tall? footprint?

[brian falls]

Nice piece! Cool mouthpiece and dome.

[Udai Hussien]

only way I ever saw them perfect was on a lathe. there was this dude Mike Laraby (NO NOT FAT MIKE) who did tubes with reversed/ upside down beaker cans.

[ALIEN!]

Great Piece! love the exposed spiral neck! and very very clean.
How tall? footprint?

9" tall, 3" footprint.

[hashmasta-kut]

i have large graphite pads, and in order to get a flask style taper, in other words more straight than round, if you have a handle on the bottom of the beaker, then you can true the beaker up after getting it nice and hot, on the graphite pad, spinning sideways. works good for mugs too.

[funksizzle]

Yo alien can you describe how you attached disk to tapered goblet like top? Your technique looks real clean, good job bud.

[Ybot]

Thats nice as, good work Alien.

[ALIEN!]

for this one, I had a section of clear I layed lines down on and twisted, then blew in into a ball, and tore off the blowtube, cleaned up the tear and reamed out the hole to even width with the bubble. Then blew a matching hole on the 50x5 and welded it, then puffed out the whole end of the section creating the bottom of the tube with a disc on it. Unfortunately, on this one, I left a bit of clear from the punty that washed out the termination. Always happens to me on surface line sections. RRRRR.

Thanks for the paddle tip Kut, I've seen that done on the lathe with people making beakers, dunno why I never thought it could be done by hand that way.

[gonzo3000]

how r u doing your downstems did u flare and weld then weld a shorter flare join or did u attach thejoint to ur downstem maria then drop in and weld

[ALIEN!]

^ the latter method. This is the first one I've attempted since learning the kung fu ways from Capn Crunk, the stem weld on this one was leaps and bounds better than previous attempts but still not quite where I want it. Next time I think Ill make the downstem maria much bigger around.

[funksizzle]

Sweet deal alien, I think I'll have a shot at the method to the madness with the info on this thread, the beaker bottom method is clean.

[JBob]

^ the latter method. This is the first one I've attempted since learning the kung fu ways from Capn Crunk, the stem weld on this one was leaps and bounds better than previous attempts but still not quite where I want it. Next time I think Ill make the downstem maria much bigger around.

I do the opposite, smaller maria. And I use standard wall tubing for downstems seals in nice and fast. I push my maria in 9mm standard wall (12mm maria) seal that in, tear off excess them attach my joint? I like the maria in the downstem where u use the material attatched to the joint method but I can never get a nice clean smooth transition from the can to the ring seal and fitting.good seal just not aesthetically my favorite

[JBob]

For a beaker I just blow my bubble big to the desired width, heat it back up hold it vertical for a second to let it stretch, throw the round base back into the flame, blow it out thinner and recondense it hold it at a 45* ish angle to let the molten glass that forms the base fall onto itself...paddle the bottom and check on graphite.

[big tom]

Sorry so late but I thought I'd give my tech here. I make beakers on lathes but also at home on a single wale roller. Prep your 50m with a pulled point on one side, solid punty on the side you would like the beaker shape. Put a blow hose on the pulled point. Now throw it on the roller and condense a section of glass. It's easier if you go low heat-big flame here. When everything is heated evenly blow out a stout ball. Here I have a method for taking the flame off the piece without taking the piece off of the rollers(knee pedal attatched to rack and pinion) so I can blow out of flame on rollers. Next I create the bottom edge of the beaker-loose flame- condense and blow, pretty much like a maria. Now to get a straight slope on your beaker heat everything from the point of your maria to the very edge of the raw 50mil. SOFT FLAME!!! Pull slowly and give a slight puff on the hose. Tah Dah! All that remains is to pull out your big boy paddle and slap a flat-bottom on her. If you pulled it out for any previous steps you probably have lines in your piece. Do it all on the roller!!! Be the Lathe.... open your mouthpiece last(after you pop hole and/or add ground joint) using a large octagonal reamer.

[big tom]

My custom Knee Pedal: Allows me to move the torch off the beaker with no hands when it's time to blow.



61897



The finished product!



61902



Check out the signature on my wale rollers!! Name that beloved artist and founder of the game!!



61903

[aREa541]

Smiley used to sign all his pieces like that. The Eugene Smiley that is no longer alive.

I am guessing you are talking about someone else though?

[big tom]

there will only ever be one smiley. R.I.P, Homie. Thanks for everything. without smiley there's no big tom...

[D. dino i ninjah]

That bottom .. no lathe.. WOW.. Im goin to go .. spray down my dust rollers with some lube .. . wow.. thanks Smiley who ever you are .. and xltom.. I worked in a prodo shop that makes beaker bottoms and they make them the same as tom sugested .. no paddle .. I just never though you could get them that clean on the the rollers .. so I never put much time into it. That is the exact shape most people are looking for ..

[LTD]

Smiley used to sign all his pieces like that. The Eugene Smiley that is no longer alive.

I am guessing you are talking about someone else though?
wait... what? I know i hadn't seen him in a really long time... when did he pass? We worked in the same shop at butt crack zachs s house back in '02-03?

[aREa541]

He passed a few years ago.

Lol, I saw Buttcrack Zach at the DFO last year, it had been forever. Buttcrack, Smiley, Kyle, Smiley's brother Josh, Dirthead, and of course Clinton were a really talented group of friends in the early days here in Eugene. Smiley helped me tremendously with cleaning up a bunch of techniques and was extremely talented.

I wonder if anybody has seen or heard from his brother Josh recently? I really liked that dood.

R.I.P. Smiley, you have obviuosly not beem forgotten.

[LTD]

ZACH was at DFO? Fuck... Didja get his number? I saw Kyle last time i was out west. He still gets down once in a while. I pretty much started at D-lo and Loudons place with Kyle in that tiny spot in the back room. I heard Dirthead is in california doing construction and cleaned himself up. Some crazy stuff has happened to that whole crew. I learned so much from them all

[big tom]

That bottom .. no lathe.. WOW.. Im goin to go .. spray down my dust rollers with some lube .. . wow.. studder studder .. head shake ..

no lube in bearings! collects glass dust and ruins the smoothness. you can clean them up with a light lube(wd40) but do try to wipe as much off as possible. When u get some new bearings go lube free forever. Also don't lube your swivels.....

BTW no thanks are needed just make with the rep!! I'm a zero!

[big tom]

He passed a few years ago.

Lol, I saw Buttcrack Zach at the DFO last year, it had been forever. Buttcrack, Smiley, Kyle, Smiley's brother Josh, Dirthead, and of course Clinton were a really talented group of friends in the early days here in Eugene. Smiley helped me tremendously with cleaning up a bunch of techniques and was extremely talented.

I wonder if anybody has seen or heard from his brother Josh recently? I really liked that dood.

R.I.P. Smiley, you have obviuosly not beem forgotten.


Josh was at DFO today. Clinton as well. Great to see so many old friends.

[PyeR2]

My custom Knee Pedal: Allows me to move the torch off the beaker with no hands when it's time to blow.

Does the knee pedal swing your torch up so the flame goes over the top or yaw it to the side?

[big tom]

Does the knee pedal swing your torch up so the flame goes over the top or yaw it to the side?

Yes, the "pedal" or lever just works the rack and pinion instead of the black knobs. Comes in handy all the time and I never grab the knobs anymore. It wouldn't help to move the torch sideways...unless your hands are really cold. I also use a foot pedal to turn off my outers... so I can see my work while blowing.. without looking through a big flame.

[ALIEN!]

Damn, sad to hear Smiley passed away. Condolences to those who knew him. I will treasure my '01 Smiley forever. Gonna have to fill it in his honor now...

[PyroChixRock]

Wow, bummer. I had no idea about smiley, either. What a bummer.

And no more dirthead glass huh? I haven't heard that name in so long...him and his damn tutu.

RIP Smiley. <3

[big tom]

Damn, sad to hear Smiley passed away. Condolences to those who knew him. I will treasure my '01 Smiley forever. Gonna have to fill it in his honor now...

Glass History porn please!!(post a pic)...

[TacosGlass]

this is an old thread but I want to bump it so that hopefully more people will give input, this is something I want to be able to nail down consistently but I still struggle with

sucks when you know you've done it before but can't recreate the results, help!