You Can Learn Glass Blowing (1938)

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/you-can-learn-glass-blowing/

by Tomte • 9 years ago

69 25 9 years ago

blog.modernmechanix.com

mtreis865• 9 years ago

"With very simple and inexpensive tools"

Lampworking is the most expensive hobby I have taken up. Also my favorite.

code_duck4• 9 years ago

Perhaps you should try soda lime glass on a bunsen burner with no kiln like the guy in the article! It would save a lot over my set up too...

mtreis865• 9 years ago

What's your setup? I had a nice GTT lynx torch but I sold it when I moved, to my mentor in lampworking. He still has it among a dozen other torches. I would rather use his Carlisle though when I am feeling like burning some propane myself.

Broken_Hippo• 9 years ago

This made me giggle. Some years ago, I decided to price out supplies to make my own beads. The lampworked beads (and other things) were always beautiful. I quickly learned that this was an expensive hobby to keep up with. I'll get back to it one of these days, though :)

dsnuh2• 9 years ago

Thank you for posting this! I've wanted to dabble in it for a long time but never buy the Groupon. Maybe next time it comes around.

code_duck4• 9 years ago

What groupon have you seen related to glass work?

dsnuh2• 9 years ago

In San Diego I have seen a lampworking course Groupon (admittedly this was a while back) at some place in North County for...I want to say around $100?

tomdre• 9 years ago

Murano's glass blowers (Venetian lagoon) are the craftsmen that I admired the most. It's a pleasure seeing them at work. Immense skills and tradition. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murano_glass

DanAndersen• 9 years ago

If you're in the PNW area, I recommend checking out the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Not only are there beautiful works there, but they also have a live demonstration stage where you can watch high school students blowing glass as part of an art program they're enrolled in.

sampl• 9 years ago

The Corning Museum Of Glass has a great YouTube channel with narrated hour-long masters glassblowing demonstrations.

Ex: https://youtu.be/lQFBEk_mqp0

danieltillett• 9 years ago

I highly recommend visiting the museum if you are in Corning (or passing through). They put on master classes of glass blowing which are great.

msds• 9 years ago

Does anyone else here melt their own glass formulations?

I've written a little software package that implements all of the common math for calculating recipes and estimating properties. I'd love another developer on it, because right now it's sufficient for my use, but is also optimized for...me... which doesn't really make it great for anyone else. Really,I don't need any technical help, but more eyes would make things less idiosyncratic and insular.

ravar• 9 years ago

I have wanted to melt my own glass in the past, but I didn't find good information on making recipes. Do you have a github link for the project?

mycelium• 9 years ago

The awesome youtube channel Applied Science put out a 40 minute intro video to melting your own glass a week or two ago, going into the equipment, chemistry and recipies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUcUy7SqdS0 In particular, he talks about making your own photochromic glass that changes color in response to light.

I'd highly recommend his channel to anyone interested in science and fabrication.

jstanley• 9 years ago

What do you melt your own glass for? I have a vague interest in almost all crafts, but can't see any obvious applications for custom glass?

mtreis865• 9 years ago

When you want a color that isn't available. Or when you want a bulk of a color and don't want to pay the retail cost.

mtreis865• 9 years ago

My mentor in lampworking for the past decade is Greasy Glass, I will reach out and see if he would be interested. All his recipes are on paper. Shameless plug if you need funky color http://greasyglasscolor.bigcartel.com/

pt39• 9 years ago

Cover the top with sheet asbestos, or preferably asbestos board, and at the back provide a rack for holding your stock of glass tubing in various sizes.

code_duck4• 9 years ago

Older scientific glassblowers i've talked to miss asbestos a lot. The various replacements are not as effective or convenient and some are toxic in a different way, such as teflon.

logicallee• 9 years ago

isn't asbestos a (notorious) health hazard? (why the other reply says older glassblowers miss it)

mtreis865• 9 years ago

It is a health hazard. But it is also one of the best insulators. Much better than the cement board usually used these days around a torch.

waivek• 9 years ago

The magazine layout is gorgeous

ben1040• 9 years ago

A while ago I took glassblowing course at Jim McKelvey's glass studio in St. Louis. McKelvey co-founded Square -- he was selling these amazing glass faucet spouts[1], and he lost a $2500 sale one day because a lady wanted to pay with her Amex.

He wrote an instructional book[2] on glassblowing that's pretty good.

[1]http://www.glassfaucet.com/

[2]https://www.amazon.com/ART-FIRE-James-McKelvey/dp/0978683110

You Can Learn Glass Blowing (1938)

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