Buying Glass for the first time

[Pumpkinheadglass]

Hello everyone, Pumpkinhead here!
I was wondering if some of you could offer some advice on what size tubing I should buy for my first batch.

I know ill need some 5mm for punties and 10mm rod for marbles and such. But what size tubing is good for making: spoons, sherlocks, bubblers and like a mini rig respectively?
I was also considering purchasing Simax. Any help would be great!

Thanks,

Pumpkinhead

[justadudeandshit]

I was told recently just to get Chinese if you're starting out. Sure it's not as great of quality but the reason why the glass will crack will probably be your own fault at the beginning anyway. I'll see if I can look up the sizes I wrote down for everything and post later.

[LRG]

Different clear glass samples here....http://www.mountainglass.com/Product...-STARTER-KITS/
Can't really mess up that way,had seen lots of people buy standard wall tube to start and it is THIN!!!I used heavy wall everything .9.5 for small blow tube 12.7 for larger stuff but mostly pull a point and work off that.Any help you need feel free to ask!Welcome!

[Banditt]

26x4 and 32x4 are good for spoons, sherlocks etc. For rigs you want to start with something a little bigger unless your making em real small. Like I can get away with making a rig out of 32x4. But its more work since I have to condense down a big ass piece. I would get 44x4 or 50x5 for rigs. I just use the 50x5 since I use it for vac stacks too.

[Nomad]

Asian from abr!

[Nomad]

I'm running low too.

[Pumpkinheadglass]

Thanks for all the info please keep it coming. So standard tubing is not good I want heavy wall? And isn't it better to just order in bulk the sizes you recommend instead of getting the sample kit from mountain glass? I just feel that a lot of those sizes I won't even use. I just want to focus on spoons and Sherlocks and such and eventually progress to rigs then sculptural work. You've all been super helpful. I'd just really like a literal list of what to get size wise if you don't mind.

-Pumpkinhead

[Nomad]

Get 25.4 x 4 mm Asian tube for spoons.
That should take a while.

[mattholimeau]

Some people are saying get asian for when you're starting out - I'd caution against that advice, since it can be very discouraging if your work cracks and you don't know why (and even worse of a feedback loop if it wasn't even really your fault), just like a beginning guitarist shouldn't get a guitar that has terrible intonation, they'll never be able to figure out how to play a song by ear. (I've elaborated on that story in other threads - fuck that bass guitar.)

I generally use 25.4 heavy (extra heavy is good too) for spoons, and 12mm for blowtubes. I almost always buy simax. I use 7mm for punties, i like that its the same thickness as my color rods. I also have thicker solid glass for pendants and other sculpturing.

I wouldn't discount the sample kit - its good to have different sizes for different techs you haven't thought of or discovered yet.

Also, there are a ton of threads in this forum already on this exact topic (I know, 'cause I had the same questions. Mighta been in my progression thread, even), and I'd recommend you try to search for them if you haven't already.

[LRG]

Up to you but yeah standard will be hard to work,you will use all the sizes.They all have there place.The spoons and sherlocks will come but you will use a lot of glass before that happens.Really 12.7 and some rod would do you just fine as you will waste most if not all of the glass at first.I do not use bigger that 25mm tube right now as nomad said it is good for spoons.Buying glass for rigs and sherlocks is not needed right now as you will need to figure out how to work the glass before you can make such things.Maybe you can jump right in to it but most people if not all it I takes some time to get the hang of lampworking.

[Prekillcrum]

More likely than not you are going to waste most if not all of the glass you buy initially. I personally think 16 med to heavy wall would be a good size. It helped me and its a manageable size. Great for learning to pull points and do seals. That being said, I also do agree with all the advice about buying the multipack until you get a hang of what sizes are what and what works for you.

[Cerberus]

I will second LRG's recommendation for the sample packs from Mountain Glass. I started with the $100 pack plus the Glass Alchemy "Alchemist Guide". You really can't go wrong with those two to get started. By the time you get through all that you'll have an idea of what to buy next.
Keep your eyes open here for Vendor weekly specials and you can snap up some basic glass sizes for a really good price if willing to wait for sales.

[OceanMelt]

It will take time to figure out your preferences. I personally benefited from buying various small quantities to see what I liked and what worked well. Now I just keep a bunch of sizes on hand at all times b/c it's nice to have variety for different applications. Clear is cheap and you'll use it ALL in the beginning, whatever your purchase. No need to buy cases right off the bat, experiment and see what you like/want. You also might end up switching gears and changing from pipes to marbles (as an example).

For me, this is always stocked:
4mm
6mm
8mm
10mm
16mm (for pendants)
12x2 - blowtubes
16x4
25x4 - great for learning how to work hollow

Good luck and have fun

[LRG]

More likely than not you are going to waste most if not all of the glass you buy initially. I personally think 16 med to heavy wall would be a good size. It helped me and its a manageable size. Great for learning to pull points and do seals. That being said, I also do agree with all the advice about buying the multipack until you get a hang of what sizes are what and what works for you.

That is true I guess, anything to me that is not able to be sold to a store is waste when I teach someone.Sure you will find value in your art even at first.Think I was in a bad mood yesterday,I have seen many people buy glass they never use when they are starting.Too thin is the biggest one,just need glass so bad to go make a rig they have no idea what the hell they are buying or doing at all.Marbles and one hitters,pendys are fun when learning.Dab tools can get you some $ pretty quick off the bat.Solid glass is a lot easier to work than tubing.Best of luck Steve

[BORO]

if you just want to put color on the outside, 25.4 "extra heavy"

If you want to try a little of everything, 31.5mm "extra heavy"

they were the easiest size tube to control when I started. ymmv

Blow tube and rod, it all feels the same when you start. Your list in the o.p. was fine.

the rest is personal preference.

[Vukelidelic]

I will second LRG's recommendation for the sample packs from Mountain Glass. I started with the $100 pack plus the Glass Alchemy "Alchemist Guide". You really can't go wrong with those two to get started. By the time you get through all that you'll have an idea of what to buy next.
Keep your eyes open here for Vendor weekly specials and you can snap up some basic glass sizes for a really good price if willing to wait for sales.

upvoting this.. i too am ordering my first round of glass as well as tools. I'm using Nortel in Canada as much as I can to save shipping and duty. But will probably order the trautman large color sample, the northstar 6 inch if its ever in stock and if nortel doesnt have clear then probably that 100 variety pack too. the glassblower at the university here let me pick out some tubes and rods from his stock to start with while I wait

[Vukelidelic]

as well as the alchemist guide