NGG found a new hobby...

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.
2012-11-30_03-33-24_18.jpg 2012-11-25_03-17-37_293.jpg
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!
glasskit.JPG
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.
2012-11-26_20-42-17_306.jpg2012-11-29_21-24-37_124.jpg2012-11-29_18-46-52_148.jpg2012-11-30_03-28-45_274.jpg

That's it for my first day working with glass.
 

dankshizzle

Glassblowing Moderator
Nice score. I'm not sure a kitchen vent will be sufficient though. It seems kinda high too. I have tons of graphite if you need any. Cheaper than any shop.
 

NoGutsGrower

Well-Known Member
Nice score. I'm not sure a kitchen vent will be sufficient though. It seems kinda high too. I have tons of graphite if you need any. Cheaper than any shop.
Yeah the hood fan wasn't powerful enough so I added a hydrofarm. 6in 400cfm fan to it and use a box fan blowing out the bottom of the door and have the big garage door open behind me. I have pretty good air flow now.

I do need graphite, all the kit came with is one small paddle. I know I need a 1/2" rod bowl press and probably a ton of other stuff. what that stuff is I don't know yet. If you have the tools I need, I'll get them from you!
 

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
I'm fucking jealous! I was just asking FDD about a starter setup a couple weeks ago, but I have no place to set up a good work station :(

Seriously jealous. I wanna try my hand at lampworking SOOO badly!
 

NoGutsGrower

Well-Known Member
Made a couple bowl pokers, practiced making stringers laying it on and melting it in, tried my first marble (Thanks to youtube I figured I'd try a vortex marble).
2012-12-04_22-55-02_757.jpg2012-12-04_22-56-45_173.jpg2012-12-04_22-58-37_411.jpg2012-12-04_22-57-42_834.jpg2012-12-04_22-57-27_83.jpg2012-12-04_23-36-40_534.jpg2012-12-04_23-35-38_66.jpg

Also got a new kiln
2012-12-04_23-17-05_38.jpg2012-12-04_23-16-53_515.jpg

And found a new place to fill my 282 cu. ft. oxygen tank! $20 instead of $55 (don't go to AirGas)
 

NoGutsGrower

Well-Known Member
I've only used my torch 4 times and I'm a whole sale distrubutor.... LOL!!! My buddy at the hydro store bought all the pokers, I made a whole $5!!! LOL! They guys at the smoke shop wants some now as well. I would be wasting supplies practicing anyways, why not sell them...
 

VLRD.Kush

Well-Known Member
Pokers? Like to clear out your pipe?? If so I want one... for real.

It's the biggest pain always trying to find something to clean out your pipe or slide with. I've actually broken two bowls because of using something that's too big for the hole
 

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
I've only used my torch 4 times and I'm a whole sale distrubutor.... LOL!!! My buddy at the hydro store bought all the pokers, I made a whole $5!!! LOL! They guys at the smoke shop wants some now as well. I would be wasting supplies practicing anyways, why not sell them...
Duuude! Sick bro! If you can make money off your practice, then shit...that's awesome! Once again, I'm sooo fucking jealous...I need to get somewhere I can set up a workshop...
 

dankshizzle

Glassblowing Moderator
No. They come to a point. Actually it says heady on it because it came from heady glass gallery. They give em away to have people use them. They are soft and pointy.
 

VLRD.Kush

Well-Known Member
dude my black and white set is going to be so perfect! first the bubb and jar, then my chaos piece by Dankshizzle, now a matching poker and soon to be bong :shock:
 
Top