Help me set up my home studio!!!

Hey all,

I'm a new member on here and fairly new to the glass world but I'm learning fast. I'm a college student and have taken some classes on scientific glass blowing but I'm looking to start a studio at my home and explore other, more creative forms of glass blowing.

Being a student, I'm a bit low on funds but I'm looking for basically everything I need to get started working with boro glass. If anyone has any tools, torch, etc laying around for sale that they would be willing to let go suited for someone with a limited budget, let me know. I would appreciate it as well as any advice you can offer someone who is a relative novice.

Thanks for all of your help in advance and looking forward to become an active and contributing member to this site.:D

Nortel Midrange - Premix Top #4 tip ( i think )
Custom built marver
$275 plus shipping and fees.. Bought new last year.
I'll toss in a 1/2 LB of color shorts also...

Damn suzuki you got the hooks on these starter torches lately.

scoop that save a bit for a fan some 2x4s and some hardy backer.

get the small aim front loader manual control, Its cheap and makes a great bench kiln later when you upgrade to a big boy kiln.

Don't get caught up in a big tool buying spree a good claw holder and a few graphite rods and your set.

Hey Eerlbert, just wanted to let you know you should totally grab that deal from Suzuki! I bought my starter torch from him last week and he hooked me up with a sweet deal, packaged it well and shipped quick! He's awesome to deal with!

and a scoring knife and disc cutters....are a must.

Awesome thanks for all the quick replies guys! Suzuki I am going to PM you and plan on scooping up that torch, how thick of boro can that midrange melt? what is the flame like on it compared to a redmax?

Hey Jr23, total noob question here, but what is everyone's gripe with manual kilns. What makes electronically controlled Kilns so much easier to use?

The digital controller you just set your times push a button it does it all for you manual you watch everything

You def want digital! Manual is a pain in the butt. I'm buying digital controllers for all of my manuals ASAP!

Back to necessities and essentials:

Buy the books first, then the torch.

If you have to ask why, consult the book.

Lol great advice fred buy your manual before you try working with a new machine

Fair enough Fred, I'm doing my best at not diving in head first. I have already constructed my work area, including a hood and ventilation, now I'm trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can before purchasing the rest of my equipment. I've only worked with a digital kiln so I was just hoping someone that has used both can tell me how much more of a pain in the ass using a manual kiln is. As a broke college student, I'm all about saving money. If just doing cone test to make sure my Kiln is at the right temp is all it takes to run a manual kiln, I'm all for saving a couple hundred bucks!..... how daunting a task is temp control a manual kiln though haha??

not 100% on how the midrange compares to the red max since all i use is my delta now. although i have a red max with premix top and marver if you wanna kick out $400 instead of $275... I started on a major two years ago and melted the crap outta one inch rod. I know that the midrange is more effective flame than the major. And i'm sure the redmax is prob even hotter.. The thing i noticed about the red max is the top burner is different, even though they are both premix...(maybe just tips, but i don't think so) If you're interested in the red max, i'll snap some flame pics since it's hooked up in my shop now.. The midrange i bought for my best friend last year to get him started. It did everything he needed to learn, now he's upgrading to a CC and i just wanna sell a torch to buy a pedal without digging into my wallet.

Might be a good idea to save your money, and find someone to work under/with if that's possible.

I have both a digital and a couple manual kilns, and I will tell you I dread using my manuals. It depends on what kind of schedule you run, but checking the temp every half hour is a pain when you're running a long schedule. I don't know what manuals you might be looking at, but mine have settings like "low, med, high" or "1, 2, 3, 4, 5" and not actual temp settings. So I have to adjust every half hour to make sure I'm holding the temp I want and not climbing or dropping when I shouldn't be. You'll be doing yourself a favor and saving money by going with digital to start with. It's what you will want down the road anyway!

Thank you guys all for your help and contributions!

Suzuki- thanks for the sweet offer man but I found a killer deal on Craigslist I can't pass up. Redmax with gauges, hoses, some tools, and some glass all for $600!

nodice- I live in Chico Ca and there are a couple different studios in town that some awesome blowers work at! I'm in the process of trying to get an apprenticeship or even a shop helper position for one of the local studios and I'm really hoping something manifests.

Adcurti- I can see how quickly that would drive a guy crazy haha. I think I am going to try to get my hands on an AIM 99lsd, hopefully used.

Although I do have a torch somewhat lined up, I am still looking for tools, glass, safety glasses, and other stuff like that to help me set up my home studio! Suzuki my roommate is also interested in getting into the art so I will pass on the information about your torch! Can't wait to get my studio set up and get a picture progression thread started!

Best deal on glasses i've ever seen. I wear these most days, go with the shade 5.

http://www.ustglass.com/Dichro-Glass...ses-i-358.aspx

The only downfall is the nylon frames will stretch out over time if you constantly put them over your stocking hat... shouldn't be an issue in california though..

Just a tip .... get the 3's unless your going big. I love my glasses but for 90% of my work I wish I would have got the 3's. The 5's are just so damn dark for what I'm doing most of the time. Just something to ponder 8) GL!

You live in Chico?

You should be able to find someone to shadow in that area.

Donuts are a great way to break the ice.