NoGutsGrower
Well-Known Member
I watched a couple videos on youtube and figured I might as well give it a try. I met the owner of the local smoke shop, he blows his own glass and let me watch him a couple times then asked if I wanted to try.
My first attempt I made the mouth piece really long (far right) second attempt I did pretty well but the mouth piece cracked off. My third attempt he let me silver fume it and it turned out to be a usable pipe. He said I was a natural, that he really didn't expect me to be able to do it my first time. After that I said screw it and started buying stuff for my setup. I went to all the regular glass lampwork/flamework sites then found an unused starter kit.(Carlisle Bench Burner (Mini CC Burner)Torch, Victor Medalist Oxygen / Gas Regulator Gauges (0780-2520 & 0780-2533) with hose set, Special Protective Glasses, Italian Glass Rod Assortment, Bead Release, Graphite Paddle, Mandrels, Flashback Arrestor, Tweezers, Tool Rest, Cutters, Fiber Blanket, Bead Hole Cleaner) for $300 with free shipping. I went to AirGas and they want $120 per regulator, then checked online and the Mini CC is $200 so I figured I was getting a smokin deal!
Then if the deals weren't already too good to be true, Craigslist actually came through and I scored a full oxygen tank for $125, AirGas said $325 for the same tank empty. I built a stable work table and got 2 pieces of Wonder Board (concrete fiber board $10 per 5'x3' sheet) to protect the table top and back wall. Used a cheap home depot kitchen range hood with built in light and fan. Now I have a pretty nice work station. The kit came with a couple bundles of soft glass so I figured I screw around for a min. I made a couple beads (still cooling while posting this), my first attempt at a pendant necklace and took a couple shots at making the mushroom pendant ( I would quit pushing before it hit the back and would mushroom). My 4th mushroom pendant was the only one that somewhat turned out before I decided to quit.
That's it for my first day working with glass.
My first attempt I made the mouth piece really long (far right) second attempt I did pretty well but the mouth piece cracked off. My third attempt he let me silver fume it and it turned out to be a usable pipe. He said I was a natural, that he really didn't expect me to be able to do it my first time. After that I said screw it and started buying stuff for my setup. I went to all the regular glass lampwork/flamework sites then found an unused starter kit.(Carlisle Bench Burner (Mini CC Burner)Torch, Victor Medalist Oxygen / Gas Regulator Gauges (0780-2520 & 0780-2533) with hose set, Special Protective Glasses, Italian Glass Rod Assortment, Bead Release, Graphite Paddle, Mandrels, Flashback Arrestor, Tweezers, Tool Rest, Cutters, Fiber Blanket, Bead Hole Cleaner) for $300 with free shipping. I went to AirGas and they want $120 per regulator, then checked online and the Mini CC is $200 so I figured I was getting a smokin deal!
Then if the deals weren't already too good to be true, Craigslist actually came through and I scored a full oxygen tank for $125, AirGas said $325 for the same tank empty. I built a stable work table and got 2 pieces of Wonder Board (concrete fiber board $10 per 5'x3' sheet) to protect the table top and back wall. Used a cheap home depot kitchen range hood with built in light and fan. Now I have a pretty nice work station. The kit came with a couple bundles of soft glass so I figured I screw around for a min. I made a couple beads (still cooling while posting this), my first attempt at a pendant necklace and took a couple shots at making the mushroom pendant ( I would quit pushing before it hit the back and would mushroom). My 4th mushroom pendant was the only one that somewhat turned out before I decided to quit.
That's it for my first day working with glass.
