Typical newbie getting started here...

[Joesmhoe]

So I've gotten this far.

Hey everyone, my first post here. Im 31 yr old dude in so cal and recently became very interested in blowing glass!

Sorry if this is too much info but I want to be honest. I've always been a pot smoker and typically that's it, until... long story short I got into meth for 8 months this past year. I am now completely past that hurdle in my life. I am happy to be done with that crap and back to my usual happy pot smokin self.

However during that period I became obsessed with making the perfect oil burner (meth pipe). I bought an adjustable mapp gas torch, 100 16x150 mm test tubes, and some crappy $10 shaded safety glasses which probably do nothing to block the light.

Needless to say I accomplished just that and made a ton of em. I got it down pretty well and made some decent ones. Fast forward I came to my senses, got off the shit and threw all the pipes away. After leaving all that behind I am left with a very strong feeling. The irresistible urge to really get into blowing glass. I have zero interest in ever making another pookie pipe but as I stated earlier I am an avid pot smoker.

I really wanna learn to make some spoons, chillums etc. and see where it goes from there. I can't shake the desire to get started. I'm currently at the stage of watching you tube videos and planning out what I think I need to buy. I found Sundance glass and am planning to order from them. Im very grateful to have found this great forum as well.

I have a million questions but I'll start here. How far can you get with just a mapp gas torch? (Bernzomatic TS8000 adjustable flame). For now I'm trying to avoid buying a kiln and the mixed gas torch until I really know what's goin on. I'd like to get some decent but not too expensive eyewear but all the different types of lenses and such are pretty confusing to me. Am planning to order a 3/4" bowl push, 1/8" diameter tungsten pick and a 3" x 4" graphite paddle.

This is where I'm at so far. Could use a few points in the right direction on what I'll need to get started, what am I missing etc. What kinda glass I should order. I know absolutely nobody who blows glass so I'm doin this all solo here. Any and all help, criticisms and opinions are welcomed and very much appreciated. Thanks in advance and I'm eager to start learning.

- Joe

[Nomad]

Tweeker beakers huh? Well good thing it wasn't crack! You sure you want to make glass? The stem is seriously addictive.


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[snoopdog6502]

Save all your weed money for ventilation and eyeware.

Glass is just a new addiction. you will be broke as fuck.

[Joesmhoe]

Haha yes tweeker beakers. And yes I'm very sure. Bring the addiction on. I always hop from hobby to hobby and well, it's that time in my life again. I'm really craving this one and will most likely be adding it to the permanent hobbies list. I'd rather be a broke glass blower than any kinda tweeker. :)


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[SavageGerbil]

Congrats on getting away from dope, definitely not easy but absolutely worth it. Snoop's speaking some truth, save up and spend the money on good eyewear, and good ventilation. You want glass to fill the free time left by ditching the crank, but not to fill the health problem gap.

Your butane torch isn't gonna be good for much, if you want to get into it as an art form, check out some soft glass gear if you're on a budget. It's no good for pipes, but for putting that creative energy to use, it's definitely a viable option.

*** Edit, mapp gas, dunno why I was thinking butane
I dunno what your ceiling is on that one, someone else'll have to jump in there

[Misfitman]

Id get myself a redmax if i was in your situation, 300-350 used usually and you can make about anything on a redmax. The best advice i ever got was just to keep my head down and my torch on. another good one for me was using clear clear and more clear. Its cheaper and you can see whats going on.

[Misfitman]

aaaand good luck and welcome to the melting pot

[BORO]

The perfect "Water dog", lol.

I never smoked it, but I made a few in my day per request.
Most of mine ship out to vegas. People pay a premium for a nice one that will last.

Who am I to judge ones preferfrences when it comes to chemical intake?
Thank god for weed smokers, or I would be even more broke than I am.

Most peeps order from mountain glass arts. IMO, the best affordable all around starter torch is a midrange plus that's pre mix on top. Or a used Carlisle cc if you can swing the $.

Read this link.....

http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?50425-Attention-new-lampworkers-READ-FIRST&highlight=Read+first

[snoopdog6502]

I know the deal with dropping an addiction, mine was Alcohol.

I found I was drinking about $500 a month, free money after I quit.

First 4 months I got a Bobcat torch, tanks, hoses and regulators, cheap glasses, fan, an oxygen concentrator and a digital kiln easily.

Going from a drug habit to glass is economical sound. you can amass a lot of equipment with the equivalent output of funds.
Its nice to have something to show for your money. :D

Stay clean and get this shit rolling dude.

[Joesmhoe]

You guys are gonna get me all teary eyed haha jk. It's been a long hard road for only being an 8 mo ordeal and Ive learned a lot. Can't thank you all enough for the support and understanding.

None of you know me or have to give me the time of day but you've all been so helpful with the responses I've received so far. May not seem like a big deal to others but for me it's huge.

I am trying to put funds, focus and energy into something more healthy and productive. Glass blowing is calling to me so strongly. Yet I know absolutely nothing so giving me this information is just opening up the opportunity for me that much more.

I for one really mean it when I say thank you. I'm so excited to get this rolling and it's gonna take me a little time with tight funds but is achievable in my budget.

I will soak it up and put everyone's advice to good use. I'll take all the help I can get. Thanks again guys, very much so.


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[MpVpRb]

Glassblowing is hard, really fukkin' hard, but it's really cool

Ditch the MAPP torch and get a real torch. A redmax is the minimum (I started with that). A GTT Mirage rocks!. It's the torch I use

Watch youtube videos. TorchTalk is excellent, so is Revere. There are a lot more

Find a teacher! Yes, you can learn on your own..slowly, but a teacher will help a LOT

[Joesmhoe]

Thanks for the tips. I actually got a little lucky. Turns out my buddy who's in real estate is renting a warehouse to a local glass blower. They've been chatting it up a bit and my buddy is gonna take me to his shop to see what's what. Very excited as I'd like to get some into some lessons as well.


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[snoopdog6502]

Thanks for the tips. I actually got a little lucky. Turns out my buddy who's in real estate is renting a warehouse to a local glass blower. They've been chatting it up a bit and my buddy is gonna take me to his shop to see what's what. Very excited as I'd like to get some into some lessons as well.


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Getting some instruction would be great. its damn hard to fumble around and learn all alone.

go for it!

[Joesmhoe]

Hey y'all I'm still lurking and messin around with my mapp gas torch. Been reading up and watching videos and I've come to the realization that a full glass blowing setup is not in my near future. I have nowhere to set up a proper shop nor the funds to even begin buying everything I need.

So I got a little ahead of myself, it happens... However I am in no way giving up! As was recommended, I am going to get into making beads and such with soft glass on my mapp gas torch. Christmas is just around the corner! Got gf and family members asking me what I want so I think it's a good time to jump in.

I will of course make sure I have good ventilation and good shades which produces my first question. I don't understand the lingo when I read up about which shades to use for which type of glassblowing/lampworkjng. It all goes right over my head. Also I can't find much when I search the forum. Sorry for asking a question I'm sure y'all have heard a thousand times but what freakin shades and I supposed to use for soft glass on mapp gas? I'm looking to spend $50-$100 max if possible (on the shades).

Also just any advice/tips on anything having to do with soft glass would be greatly appreciated. Any starter kits or must haves, dos and donts, any books/videos that are really great? Thanks in advance and as always I really appreciate the info.





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[AdamCotter]

The perfect "Water dog", lol.

I never smoked it, but I made a few in my day per request.
Most of mine ship out to vegas. People pay a premium for a nice one that will last.

Who am I to judge ones preferfrences when it comes to chemical intake?
Thank god for weed smokers, or I would be even more broke than I am.

Most peeps order from mountain glass arts. IMO, the best affordable all around starter torch is a midrange plus that's pre mix on top. Or a used Carlisle cc if you can swing the $.

Read this link.....

http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?50425-Attention-new-lampworkers-READ-FIRST&highlight=Read+first

Agree, a midrange with a surface mix (minor burner) attached is a pretty good starter, avoid the Major burner ,they are not flexible.

Get glasses, a 3x4" paddle, 10" tweezers, 25mm heavy wall tubing, 13mm hw, 7mm rods, 38mm mediumy wall, 10mm rod . Then tooling rollers. I'm going to post plans on how to build some for less than 40. 1/8" welding rods,cut for bead mandrels.

Pm me, I'll send you some soft glass rods and stringers that you can mess about with a mapp torch. Dennis Briening taught me a cool soft glass tech called glass crochet, an old way to make ornaments and such. PayPal me $10 for postage and I'll fill you up an ' all you can shove" mailer with 104 rods and some photocopy's of tricks, techs and school notes (been writing a book....since 2009....still a pile of notes..)

can anyone donate/loan/pay forward this dude some scratched old nerd didynium glasses? So he doesn't burn his eyes.? My first pair were kicked down. Sorry, I'm down to one pair after shop move.

Welding 3 -5 glass works ok, but you will need sunlight or high power worklightsm.

Here's how you know if you're glasses don't protect. You will feel like your eyes are filled with hot sand, and you will want to remove them. I used to peek over the top of my glasses and I would end the night putting living aloe vera and ice directly on my eyeballs lying in the dark basically blind face under cold wet towel, burping eggs from breathing toxins. Try to skip that.

Also drink milk when you work cadmium based crayon colors if you whiff it.

Do NOT inhale heated tungsten vapor either.

Yuck.....meth, glad I never fell into that, good idea putting those addictive thoughts into glass work. Glad you clawed out,lost lots of friends to it. Thanks for sharing that personal stuff.

[Joesmhoe]

Pm sent! [emoji1303][emoji1303]


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