1 step forward, 2 steps backwards... $Y$TM's progression

You might try sleeving instead of a blow in. The colors you are getting and the oil slick appearance you like are very easy and cheap to get that way. You can sleeve 25 in 32x2.8 or you can go bigger with both. I stick with the 25 because I also use it for other things. With sleeving you get consistent wall thickness, rather than the occasional thick or thin spot where the color didn't blow out evenly.

What size blank are you using for blow ins? I do all mine on points on 50x5. Gives you a nice big open space to blow in to, and can be pulled out to a decent amount of tubing.

Nice progression in general. All my hitters have pushed bowls. I like the functionality better, just one hole to clog rather than a little tube that may need poking. And I like how you can see the change in the mouth piece from one spoon to the next. Keep it up.

Congrats on your first local sale, too! I like taking photos of everything... to bad you missed this classic case of glass.

What size bowl pushes are you using currently? Back in the day in Abq. I used 3/4 for most things, which is pretty large, then 1 inch for huge bowls. Switched to 1/2 inch as the world becomes more reasonable and sometimes 3/8s. I didn't make any pipes for a while, and now I can never find my bowl pushes so I end up using some janky mixture of octagonal reamers. That works pretty well, though. If you had some smaller graphite you can always shape your own bowl push. I've never bought a commercial one.

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Originally Posted by Aymie

You might try sleeving instead of a blow in. The colors you are getting and the oil slick appearance you like are very easy and cheap to get that way. You can sleeve 25 in 32x2.8 or you can go bigger with both. I stick with the 25 because I also use it for other things. With sleeving you get consistent wall thickness, rather than the occasional thick or thin spot where the color didn't blow out evenly.

What size blank are you using for blow ins? I do all mine on points on 50x5. Gives you a nice big open space to blow in to, and can be pulled out to a decent amount of tubing.

Nice progression in general. All my hitters have pushed bowls. I like the functionality better, just one hole to clog rather than a little tube that may need poking. And I like how you can see the change in the mouth piece from one spoon to the next. Keep it up.

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Thanks for the tips Aymie. Ya right now I've been working smaller stuff. I'll usually coil pot and then stuff that into a flared 26.4mm xtra-hvy wall point. I'm trying to get better at the larger stuff. I tried it once with some 50x5 but it didn't go so well. I just picked up some 34mm with my last color order so that's going to be the next size up until I get used to that then up to 50. Now that I have a proper marving surface I think that will greatly help with encasing/sleeving techs. Been wanting to try some of those cheese grater textured pieces I've been seeing.
Julian, I want to say I'm using a 1/2" push. Gonna have to measure that one. I've always been in the same school of thought as you, I tend to like my bowls not to big. I usually don't pack mongo bowls anyway:chilling: But the customer is always right so I'm going to buy some different sized graphite. So far I've been shaping my own pushes. Curious what everyone else does and what sort of shape they prefer. Rounded push or more of a tapered side with flat bottom? Custom push or store bought with a tungsten pick? Brass over graphite or vise versa?

Man it's a hot one today! A fan might be in order for this one. I think I'm going to rig up my old dirt devil and go at a first attempt to do a clear/fumed vac stack today. Wish me luck!

Haven't posted anything in a while as I was away from the torch for a few months. Feels good to melt some stuff again. I got a whole case of 38mm on the way so I plan on being a little more active the next few months. Trying to set some goals for myself.

Still trying these blow-ins. Trying to get some different colors and pattern effects. I know it's old school but I kinda like the wrap n' rake then sleeved ones. Gives it that little bit of extra pop.

i got mad love 4 your colors man! keep rocking it!

Looks good, congrats on getting back on the torch!

Getting some prep done for tomorrow. Trying to make it into the garage on a daily basis, or at least try. I set a goal of 50 pieces in 30 days. I know that's probably nothing compared to what most of you produce but it's a start.

Just found your progression thread. Well done dude. Looks like you are making nice strides forward. Only one question and one comment: Did you ever try that vac-stack? I found them to be a hell of a lot easier to get air-free tubing (compaired to stick stack). And comment, your pieces are looking more and more consistant, with better shaping, with each post. The only thing I'd change on your spoons would be the angle of the bowl. Do them exactly as you are but just as you are ready to push the bowl, angle the blowhose upwards about 30-40 degrees and then still push straight down. This will give you a bowl that is angled back towards the user so that it is easily visible.

Rage on dude. Btw, I'm so jealous of your delta.

Thanks for the tip Mark, that's something I've been struggling with. I do feel some consistence for once on my bowls, finally getting the holes not to small or to big. Just need to work a little on the angle. Haven't tried the vac stack yet, need to though. I hooked up the vacuum system a few weeks back, I just need to give it a go. Think I'll try some clear fumed rods first though before I go all out.
I love my Delta, I'd sleep with it if I could:D

Here's #1, Black Pearl honeycomb spoon.
Thought I'd break from the usual so I threw a honeycomb in to spice things up a little. Added an opal which was a first for me. Unfortunately there was one small bubble in it.
Also took Marks advice on the angle of the bowl, big difference!

The blow ins are cool, most people just sleeve, I dig seeing somebody claiming a style for thier own. Lookin good. Try using more of your prep for the can part, like 2/3 and pulling the stem a little thinner. Just a tip, but wider cans are nice. Maybe a smaller mouth piece, try closing up the mouthpiece all the way and then puff it out with a piece of 1/2" tubing into the carb nice and round, heat up a ball of clear, stick it on the tip of the mouthpiece, go around it with a butterknife to chill it and then it should snap off giving you a nice clean small opening. Also try holding the piece at a 45 degree angle to the bench to push the bowl, angling a little twords the front.

bowl angle looks nice on that last one, just keep ragin.

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I set a goal of 50 pieces in 30 days

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depends on how long your working each day but Id say aim higher say maybe like trying to pack a case in a week or 2. remember repetition repetition repetition and then some more repetition:D

Here's #2-6. Trying some fumed layering stuff over black violet and cobalt.

#7, #8

The sherlock needs some work. Just can't seem to get the flow of them. I need to pull the seam out more before bridging. I keep getting the stem and can to close. The bottom of the joint is good but cant get that wripple out of the inside curve.

#9, #10

Tried something different on 10. Hand pulled sparkle blue (cobalt 5, clear, disco sparkle) with coil potted dinosaur. I wanted to focus more on shaping with this one. The bowl didn't come out totally perfect. I needed more green in the can area. The blue was a lot stiffer than the green so when I went to sink the bowl it didn't have enough heat base like the green. Made for a not so perfectly round of a bowl.
Need to work on those horns. Mine's more of a spastic whisker.

Last spoon looks nice there man!

Looks like I won't make the 50 mark:tongue2: Too much stuff on my plate these days as glass is not my sole endeavor. But at least I have been getting out in the studio more often and feeling more consistent with it. I want to try and branch out and try something besides spoons.

Here's a crappy phone picture of today's project. Working on sherlocks, I really need to get that bend down. This one is really thick!

Looking nice. That last spoon looks great.
For that bend in the lock just get the glass nice and hot and let gravity shape it. Small puffs if needed to keep I.D. in check.
Your welds are looking nice to. Good job man.

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Originally Posted by $Y$TM

Getting some prep done for tomorrow. Trying to make it into the garage on a daily basis, or at least try. I set a goal of 50 pieces in 30 days. I know that's probably nothing compared to what most of you produce but it's a start.

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How do you make this prep just by flaring out those smaller tubes out to make a bigger tube? sorry a newb question but i have been practicing out to get this prep started

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Originally Posted by playa00

How do you make this prep just by flaring out those smaller tubes out to make a bigger tube? sorry a newb question but i have been practicing out to get this prep started

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They are just points pulled so I have them ready to go. I like to keep them closed till I'm ready to use so no dust gets inside. I'll keep them covered in a box so I just pull a couple out, preheat in kiln and your ready to go. They are 38mm heavy wall as I'm trying to work up to the 50mm.
I have found it easier to do a bunch of em at once. Sort of assembly line style. An hour or 2 of pulling points, and you really start to get the hang of it so they come out nice and straight.

Have you tried using blowtubes instead of pulling points? Pulling points is great practice but you waste glass. Blowtubes can be used over and over till they are to short then you weld two together.

I find it really speeds prep up. Also do you have a v-necker? Thats the other side of the equation for using blowtubes. You constrict with the v-necker which stresses the glass where you constrict and let it cool for a couple seconds. Give a quick sideways tug or two and the tube will snap right where your constriction is. Weld on a blowtube where the constriction was created. Repeat.

I find corks to be a huge time saver too. Plug the end of yout tube with a cork so when you attach the blowtube you have pressure to even out the weld with a puff or two.

Hope that helps.

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Originally Posted by smolder holder

Also do you have a v-necker?

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Here's a quick shot of my set up. Got that v-necker! So glad I bought that thing. It has really helped my shaping. I didn't like it on the bench so I built a custom bracket to piggy back it on the marver.
As for points versus blowtubes, I kind of use a bit of both. Usually start stuff on a half point(?). I'll do the sleeve/blowin, close down and shape a mouth piece, punty with blowtube, rip off point blowtube and shape bowl/can.
Thanks for the necking tip Smolder!

I've gotta get me one of the graphite V's. I cant use my stainless one for shaping, it leaves scum on the surface.

Here's a better picture of the sherlock. I used too much silver fume IMO. Came out piss yellow! Getting better on the on my welds though.
Also a simple ISO spoon and a coilpot honeycomb attempt. I like how the carb came out on the coilpot piece. Finially getting the hang of adding a color wrap to the carb. I forgot who posted the tip about making a start bubble in the glob of color you are adding to the carb. That was the key for me!
And my first attempt at a GonG slide. It started to crack before I added the horns. I thought I had chased everything back and was OK but the minute I added the horns it popped. The hand pulled alien tech rod is some cool shit, I only have a few rods of it though.

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Originally Posted by smolder holder

I've gotta get me one of the graphite V's. I cant use my stainless one for shaping, it leaves scum on the surface.

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This one is a griffin glass tools. It works great and is smooth as butter!

Someone will love that piss yellow, I'm sure. I think it looks pretty cool myself. Good stuff.

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Originally Posted by Bunyip

Someone will love that piss yellow, I'm sure. I think it looks pretty cool myself. Good stuff.

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Thanks, that is what I'm hoping. It was English Ivy so I guess I was expecting more from the color. It still looks cool though.

english ivy likes to throw up when not encased in my experience. I like your shaping

Tried something completely different tonight. This was my first attempt at doing a disk flip and a fillachello. Trying to push my comfort levels a little and branch out.

Nice work stepping out of your comfort zone.

Fooling around with the cheese grater.

love the grey/yellow, it looks "refined" if that word can be applied to functional art.

Nice work!!!Was gunna give you sum tips on having a hard time with the bowls. Getting the holes center, not to big or to small...but that was year ago lol but looka like you got it under control ..

Your pipes look great! I love seeing peoples progression. I can't wait to see you making some nice sherlocks and side cars soon!

I've had a few requests from friends for some ocean themed pieces so I've been messing around with some jellyfish. The first one (not shown) I did the encasing in the wrong order so the cap/main body of the jelly got a little deformed and not nice n' round. The second one (pict#2) I did the encasing right but didn't like the sharp air bubbles it trapped around the tentacles, plus I got the area to warm while encasing so the tentacles lost some of their definition.

I had to step back and analyze things for a second. Why not make the jelly on a rod, insert into tube, seal it off and vacuum the air out. Love those "Ahhh Ha!" moments!
So I made a small one (pict#1,3) on 7mm and put it inside some 14mm. I like the results! Even though some air bubbles got trapped they are nice and round and kind of add to the underwater effect plus the tentacles stayed nice and crisp.
I think I'm going to have to make some detailed shrooms with this tech:mushroom:

Try making them the same way you make a mushroom. Make some cane with clear encased silver color or fuming (this will be the tentacles so space them out to give some depth), lay it on a rod alternating with clear to give a layered effect and pull out to desired thickness. Cap with color for the head of the jelly id recomend amber purple or somerhing with soft working charictaristics and push it just like a mushroom. Makes nice looking jellies after a little practice.

^^^^You must spread some reputation around before....
Thanks Smolder! Gonna try that next time

A few more here...

The one in the fourth pic is sweet man I Like the fifth pic too

just keep doing it and when you have questions hit people up on here for help, and you ll get it ,someones
always willing to help you. And when you get some money up, check into a class or two, then you will really storm for ward.