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Essential Glass Blowing Equipment

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Glassblowing is an art and, as with most things that are considered arts, both a lot of attention and time are required to master it. Another thing that is required in large amounts is money, but if you think you have what it takes to learn and master the technique and work on your own then we have a list of the top 8 things any glass blower can’t be without.

Note: Some of these things are incredibly pricy so we would also recommend finding a studio you can rent space in that comes with some of these essentials. If you need help pricing these things you can ask around or fire up the Clearwireinternet and do some online shopping and comparisons.

1. Furnace – You need to heat up the glass so you can shape and mold it. These can all range in size but two types you will want to look into are pot and tank furnaces.

2. Annealer – This is temperature controlled oven that let’s glass cool slowly to avoid cracking.

3. Pipe warmer – Self-explanatory, this helps the molten glass stick to the pipe.

4. Catch buckets – When you shape the glass, parts of it are bound to drip and break away and you want to be sure and catch them before they start a fire.

5. Glass – You need glass to melt.

6. Safety equipment – This is molten glass you are dealing with. Get some protective overalls, face gear, and gloves that can handle the heat.

7. Torch – You can use the applied heat of the torch to bend and mold the glass.

8. Direct line of communication to emergency services – You should probably get this done as soon as possible. If you are doing this at home, install a cordless phone. If it’s a space you are renting, designate a spot to put your cell phone.

Kiln Secrets; The Do’s And Dont’s

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Kilns are useful tools in creating beautiful pieces of pottery and glass. Let’s go over a few do’s and dont’s that the user must keep in mind before operating a kiln:

DON’T touch the outer surface: Usually, a kiln will have more than adequate insulation. Even with this insulation, its outer surface can become hot enough to cause serious burns if you brush across it with bare skin.

DO wear gloves: Invest in a good pear of kiln mitts or gloves.Want more? Click here/tag These should be worn whenever dealing with the kiln. Also, remember that a kiln will stay hot hours after it has been turned off.

DON’T look into the kiln spy hole without dark safety glasses: Whenever you feel the need to look through the kiln spy hole as its being fired, wear dark safety glasses. Wearing dark safety glasses will protect your eyes from radiant heat. Regular sunglasses will not work for this purpose as they may melt.

DO vent your kiln: Firing your artwork will ultimately release gases. These gases can cause respiration problems or even death. Be certain that your kiln is properly ventilated to the outside open air.

DO research how to properly use a kiln!

Setting Up Your Work Space For Success

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many skilled craftsmen suffer from the annoyance of a work space that seems to hamper their creative flow. Fine tuning the set up of your work space can have more advantages than just being aesthetically pleasing. Begin by writing out how you normally like to work. List the tools you use most frequently, the supplies most often needed and the position you are most comfortable working in.

Now you have a text based diagram of your ideal work space. From those words, you can draft a detailed sketch of what your most successful work environment should look like. The sketch is merely a guide for your ideas, so do not worry about the artistic quality of it.

Once you have your sketch, it is time to lay out your successful work space. The tools and supplies you use most often should be readily available within easy reach of your normal working position. For example, if you always cut with your right hand then cutters should be organized at an easy reach on your right side. Make sure to incorporate lighting in to your layout. Tools and materials occasionally used can be moved to remote locations to optimize the work area.

The Difference Between Free Blowing and Mold Blowing

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are two basic methods used in glassblowing. The first, and the oldest, is known as free blowing. In the method, the glassblower begins by placing a small amount of molten glass on the end of his blowpipe. Using a serious of short puffs, he forms a small bubble of air inside the glass. He is then able to blow larger and larger puffs of air into the blowpipe, expanding the molten glass until it is the approximate size of the finished piece. He can then use various tools to shape the glass as he blows into it. Those tools can include handheld tools, marble slabs, and even wet newspapers. He may return the glass to the furnace to reheat it, and can add other bits of glass to form handles and spouts.

On the other hand, mold blowing involves placing the end of the blowpipe and the molten class it carries into a mold. The glassblower then blows into the blowpipe, inflating the glass until it fills the mold. Molds can be made of plaster or wood, but are typically made of metal. No other tools are used. Mold blowing can be used to make multiple copies of a single design.

Getting Started, Tools Every Glass Maker Needs

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The centuries-old art of glass making has evolved over time, but some features have stayed the same. The right glass-making tools mean the difference between a beautiful, handcrafted piece and a disastrous waste of time and materials.

The blowpipe is absolutely essential when handcrafting glass. A metal, hollow tube typically between four and five feet in length, the blowpipe is narrow and widens at the end. Blowpipes are commonly made out of steel or iron, but weight and length vary, depending on the type of glass project. A glass maker uses a blowpipe to turn and gather the glass around during the heating process, keeping the hot glass from dropping or slipping out of place in the oven.

A Punty Iron, or Pontil Rod, is a must for glass makers adding small details to the glass — such as patterns or handles — and to hold a glass object when the object is taken off the blowpipe. The rod is smaller than the blowpipe and similar in appearance and length, but the rod is solid instead of hollow.

The final tool every glass maker must have are jacks. Jack tools are typically look like tweezers with bladed legs. Jacks come in various sizes, shapes and materials and are used for various purposes, including to create lines, smooth edges and finish glass bottoms.