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Thread: It’s been a long time...

  1. #1
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    Default It’s been a long time...

    Hello everybody. I doubt that anyone remembers me but I used to be very active here and then life took me in another direction about 8 or 9 years ago. I recently decided I wanted to get back into it as just a hobby for now and maybe more later. But anyways I’ve got a couple of questions and this was the first place I thought of asking.

    1. I have developed a very bad back and I tend to hurt it doing very simple tasks so throwing around big oxygen tanks is not really an option for me and I don’t think my little hatchback car would appreciate them either. Is anyone using any of the smaller sized tanks and if so what kind of life are you getting out of a fill? And are concentrators any cheaper or better these days?

    2. Are crayon colors no longer a thing? Seems like I read something a few years back about GA and Northstar discontinueing them. This really bums me out if true cause they were the main colors I loved to work with.

    I’m sure I will have many more questions and will add them here as I think of them but just really wanted to say hello more than anything.
    Bringing more firearms than a school of burning squids

    http://glasspipes.org/heinousglass

  2. #2
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    The cadmium colors went out of production for a while, there are some threads on the whole sha-bang I’m pretty sure. Luck us they are back and there are some reformulated versions that are really great workability wise!

    I order a LOX tank and the guy wheels it right where it needs to be pretty much.

    Welcome back and hope you have a great time melting!

  3. #3
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    That’s good to hear. I poked around on MGA’s site and didn’t see them listed so I was worried.

    I have to options locally. One doesnt deliver to residential areas and the other I had deliver a tank once and they refused to come back because I live on a little dead end road with no room to turn around.
    Bringing more firearms than a school of burning squids

    http://glasspipes.org/heinousglass

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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    I've been thinking about similar problems, the studio I'm building is in a very rural area and I won't be able to get dewars delivered. 2 solutions I hit on are have a lox specific truck that only hauls liquid tanks and they never leave the back of the truck. Another solution is set up a fixed hoist and just crank the tank off the back of the truck using a chain hoist. A floor model engine jack should be able to lift up a dewar no problem but since its sitting on a pickup its probably too high.

    EDIT: a trailer you could park near the studio would be ideal. Park the trailer, unhitch, hook up tank, never taking it off the trailer.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    Quote Originally Posted by Zed View Post
    I've been thinking about similar problems, the studio I'm building is in a very rural area and I won't be able to get dewars delivered. 2 solutions I hit on are have a lox specific truck that only hauls liquid tanks and they never leave the back of the truck. Another solution is set up a fixed hoist and just crank the tank off the back of the truck using a chain hoist. A floor model engine jack should be able to lift up a dewar no problem but since its sitting on a pickup its probably too high.

    EDIT: a trailer you could park near the studio would be ideal. Park the trailer, unhitch, hook up tank, never taking it off the trailer.
    trailer is def the move!

  6. #6
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    Oxygen concentrators are great, been over 4 years since iv paid for oxygen and messed with any tanks.
    Also I NEVER run out.

    Here in SW washington state a dewar cost $400+ a fill so concentrators are a bargain.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    A tried and true solution for glassblowers who have health problems like bad backs is to take on a apprentice. Find someone fresh out of HS looking for some direction in life, and give em some by teaching glass, in return they do stuff like moving K tanks, cleaning the shop, prep, ect.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    If I could afford to get a truck that would pretty much solve my problems but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I currently drive a little Honda cr-z and my back hurts just thinking about getting a tank in and out of the back of it.
    Bringing more firearms than a school of burning squids

    http://glasspipes.org/heinousglass

  9. #9
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    An apprentice would be great and I’d love to pass along the knowledge but I don’t think I could make it worth someone’s time with me working a regular job 40 hours a week. If ever decided to go at it full time again I would definitely do that.
    Bringing more firearms than a school of burning squids

    http://glasspipes.org/heinousglass

  10. #10
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    Quote Originally Posted by snoopdog6502 View Post
    Oxygen concentrators are great, been over 4 years since iv paid for oxygen and messed with any tanks.
    Also I NEVER run out.

    Here in SW washington state a dewar cost $400+ a fill so concentrators are a bargain.
    What model are you using?
    Bringing more firearms than a school of burning squids

    http://glasspipes.org/heinousglass

  11. #11
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    Keep a eye on CL and locally for a used Toyota truck. I got a 94 4x4 with 192k for $4k and I've put 60k miles on it with minimal problems. I keep waiting for major engine problems so I can justify swapping a rebuilt engine into it and it keeps trucking. Every glassblower should own a pickup truck. I plan to own this yota for the rest of my life its rust free and parts are available for cheap. Cashflow problems suck I've been there plenty but a truck and a trailer is a great investment.

  12. #12
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    Hi Garrick
    ~Misha

  13. #13
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    Quote Originally Posted by garrick View Post
    What model are you using?
    I have 7 but my best 3 are from Dave Ridgeway at Available Oxygen.

    I run GTT Kobuki on them just fine. I can run one of my oiless compressors if I need higher pressures for vac stack tube pulls.

    My back is fucked, id have to quit if I had to buy k tanks. I own 3 tanks, I use them in the low pressure system (< 100 psi) and never move those heavy pricks.

  14. #14
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    Default Re: It’s been a long time...

    Glass blowing with a bad back? That sure doesn't sound fun.

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