HMK's mediocre glass thread

**hashmasta-kut** · 07-19-2010, 05:12 PM

this was cool, and but it cracked a lot

i did get better again at fixing cracks on this one, but unfortunately it got some scarring on it, so i have to keep it. its still unused in the pictures..

**STROKER** · 07-19-2010, 06:24 PM

that is a pisser on the cracks.

still a nice piece for personal use.

kut, how do you install the ground joint on the jar?
is it a drilled hole or a joint that is inserted all the way inside?

i really like the look alot compared to a visible ground joint.

later,

**hashmasta-kut** · 07-19-2010, 07:08 PM

its a joint joined at the top lip. i really like the look a lot too, its the only way i have ever attached a joint actually. i try and find the thicker wall ones, like UST heavywall, or USTubes joints. they are easier to put in with less deformation. i like to get a really good join between the lip and the can. afterwords its necessary to pull the upper lip edge back out with a graphite reamer. not the ground joint area, just the upper lip and the can. wildrok posted info on this site way back, i read it close. him and slinger had tips on how they did it. it takes about 10 minutes for slow me to make a perfect hole the right size for the upper joint lip, and about 10-15 to seal it in, and make sure its true. it used to be a bitch, but now they seem to come out perfectly round every time, no wobble

**Ben 'Spice' Crowley** · 07-20-2010, 06:14 AM

definetley getn better

**151km** · 07-28-2010, 08:26 AM

All of your new units look amazing Kut! Really sorry to hear this one cracked. Looks like a lot of hard work!

**hashmasta-kut** · 07-28-2010, 10:04 AM

its still ok, i use it every day.

**hashmasta-kut** · 08-03-2010, 12:21 AM

this one is similar, i think it seems a bit of a mish mash, i dunno...

**ALIEN!** · 08-03-2010, 01:28 AM

These look pretty cool HK, the only thing I would change is to make the dome piece with more of a U shaped bend, bringing the bell up higher, making it easier to use while the piece is resting on a table. Keep practicing them bends, you'll get em. I worked in a neon shop for a year, got plenty of practice myself. Judging from a guesstimate of the size of it, I would heat about 4" using a wide flame, get the entire bend zone evenly heated and just about floppy, then hold it about eye level and bend up with both hands, flip upside down and turn 90 degrees and look at the profile, if there is a slant on the outside of the bend (should be up at this point) give a twist with both hands twisting toward the low side, this will take the slant out, then give a puff.

This takes a lot of practice to get used to (especially the bigger you work) and each step has to be done quickly as it all has to be done in one heat. And if you're aren't already, I suggest using a blowhose, makes bending 100% easier.

I can make a tight 90 deg. bend on a crossfire torch or a giant ring bend on a 24" ribbon burner where the tubing looks like it came off the machine that way.

I like the function of these oil dome thingys, but every one I've seen from everyone seems to have the same wonky ass bend to it. Drives me nuts, wonky bends make me crazy, I know I know, it's cuz I got used to working in a neon shop and having to make em perfect or else. But, hey, I think if you can make a sweet bend on these you could probly outsell the next guy all day long, everything else looks pretty good.

Here's what Im getting at for type of bend I would want, just tighter:

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Edit:

Ok, I can see why that style bend would be desirable for a bong attachment, but on the pieces you're making this bend here would be the shit. Hope my explanation helps.

**hashmasta-kut** · 08-03-2010, 07:03 AM

i am sorry, i appreciate your thoughts and advice, but the style of curve i make will probably not start to resemble the bend you showed. thanks very much for the bending tips though, i will add them to my info base. i saw a guy in a video do that actually. there are artists who do a bend like that one pictured, and i could do so if i wished, but its not the aesthetics i am concerned with, so much as function. And also, this design of unit i came up with specifically cuz i hated having to lean down to the table. The whole idea of the wired setup is to allow you to pick it up. everyone at my house always does, thats what its designed for. I dont try and get a u bend like you showed, i bend it in the shape it is for a few reasons that make it necessary in my opinion. i am still only at just under 8 months on the torch, so i expect my style will develop and change with time. i cant say for sure what my bends will be like in a year, ya never know. if someone requested one with a bend like that i would do it. Curves function better with a long up incline, and a narrowing before the bell.

**151km** · 08-03-2010, 07:43 AM

I don't think that unit is mish mash hmk. Looks good to me! Keep up the good work!

**faded** · 08-03-2010, 08:55 AM

the janky bends take away anything the piece had to offer. i'd stop for a week and get that straightened out. but that's just me.

**hashmasta-kut** · 08-03-2010, 12:07 PM

faded you retard, thanks for the props

**TheGlassTree** · 08-03-2010, 12:58 PM

Hmk you remind me of the kids from mass art fresh in Seattle all shiny faced and so full of themselves that they can't see good advice if it came up and slapped them....Don't get me wrong I'm no dissing you or your work. Just saying that you shouldn't be so unreceptive to advise. Don't just lash out at people who are only trying to help you.

**hashmasta-kut** · 08-03-2010, 01:08 PM

i dont lash out at good advice. i take it all in, and explain why i make the curves the way i do. i dont think my stuff is super good or anything, i have a long long long way to go. people keep accusing me of not taking advice, but its a fallacy, you guys just dont know how to read me typically.

i lash out at faded though, cuz he started it for some reason, way back. he dont like me i notice.

**hashmasta-kut** · 08-03-2010, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by TheGlassTree

Hmk you remind me of the kids from mass art fresh in Seattle all shiny faced and so full of themselves that they can't see good advice if it came up and slapped them...Just saying that you shouldn't be so unreceptive to advise. .

"thanks very much for the bending tips though, i will add them to my info base. i saw a guy in a video do that actually. there are artists who do a bend like that one pictured, and i could do so if i wished, but its not the aesthetics i am concerned with, so much as function."

how does this seem fresh out of art school, how is this unreceptive, when i said i would take the information? i was very polite and explained why i wasn't making u bends.

**The Lorax** · 08-03-2010, 01:26 PM

lmao i know a kid who went to Mass Art and has that same attitude that he can do "anything"... they really seem to shove that into their students minds like life is some playland dreamworld... lol!

it only is if you make pipes

**Dom** · 08-03-2010, 02:31 PM

So Im just curious, but how does a wonky bend function better than a perfect 90 degree one? Not trying to start shit but Ive never made an oil rig or smoked out of one so just looking for some knowledge. I understand the restriction above the bell part, but the bend part I do not...

**hashmasta-kut** · 08-03-2010, 02:37 PM

i want an long upslope before the down bend, to allow the condensate that collects in the curve to have a long section that slopes down, so it will drip down toward the bell, as opposed to going down into the water chamber. if it was a u type bend, you end up with a large amount of the curve being on the downslope into the water chamber. reclamation of the condensate is most desirable in a dry form. its reusable. the stuff that goes in the water chamber is all tainted with water and mixed, kinda gross, much less desirable. much easier to collect and use the dry reclaim from the long top curve section. a longer thinner curve collects more and you get less reclaim in the bottom water section. i know my bends arent super awesome, but i think a lot of the wonk look comes from my tube making skills being subpar as well. i'm just getting to the point i can make some mulsti section worked tubing, and stretch it out evenly into a thin curve section. i appreciate the comments to know my shit looks bad to other blowers, but its like music i guess, cuz when i showed that pic to a bunch of regular folk, they had no idea what was wrong with the bend. music for musicians is better than the crap regular people listen to, just like artists have a more critical view of what looks good than the average safety breaker it seems.

i got offered more than i wanted for it, and had to talk him down

oops i just broke another goblet base

**Dom** · 08-03-2010, 02:45 PM

I see, in that case you should make the curves like my boy Lorax. His would have perfect function by your defenition. And I dont think he even bends anything, just welds it at the right angle.

**hashmasta-kut** · 08-03-2010, 03:23 PM

ya he doesnt bend at all, thats his thing. when i met him and got him ripped on oil, he didnt say shit about the curve on my vape and neither did i say anything derogatory to him about his..i should do it the way i want to, and he should do it the way he wants to. give me time, maybe someday you will grudgingly like my curves, who can say.. after all, it was my idea, i might have some clues about whats best.