What all do I need to start blowing glass at home?

Question

What all do I need to start blowing glass at home?

Answer 1

1. I'm laughing at your wondering where they get the initial bubble of glass, they make it of course, and you'll learn that in glasblowing 101

2. which is why I'd suggest you find a local class, either in a local school or at a glass supply house.

3. you really need a class, youtube is going to be helpful, but not a substitute for a class or two.

4. in order to do any real blowing you'll need the kiln, glass that's been lampworked will not be strong without being annealed properly. Your designs will break too easily if you don't.

Answer 2

Glass Blowing Torch Kit

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

What all do I need to start blowing glass at home?

I need to know everything I need to make my home glassblowing studio. I'm wishing to make pipes/shroom necklaces//beads/etc with glassblowing and sell them. However, I don't know what all I need. Also, I need to know how people make that molten glass bubble that is necessary for...

Answer 4

Close personal supervision!

Answer 5

There are two kinds of torch glassblowing/lampworking - soft glass and borosilicate (Pyrex). Borosilicate requires more expensive equipment but is less likely to crack while working or cooling as it expands/contracts less. Boro may be required for pipes. Boro requires a torch that uses oxygen. The minor burner in this kit is such a torch

Beads are usually made with soft glass as it is cheaper, easier to work and has more colors available.

Bubbles are usually made by starting with tubing and heating and closing the end.

Pipes are obviously made by starting with tubing.

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You will need to have more ventilation than just fans - you have to exhaust the fumes, not just blow them around. You need a fire resistant work surface and either 5 or more feet to the nearest wall or a fire resistant wall surface as the heat from a torch (which is aimed away from you) carries several feet and can locally heat the wall. It is not legal in most jurisdictions to have larger propane tanks (20 pound BBQ size or bigger) in a residential space. This means either using natural gas or having the tank outside with a cutoff valve leading to piping going inside or having a separate studio space.

You should take a class with this quality torch before buying.