What are /r/lampwork's favorite Products & Services?

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Yes I have been through this recently. This is my current homefill setup: https://vimeo.com/68618394 I have been filling into 2 tanks at once both open, and working off that while machines are running. I let it charge back up when I take breaks and at night. I have a delta and use this system. Its not unlimited but you get by. It is important to put a valve in between your homefill and the lines to your torch. if you have any questions lmk

75 bucks on amazon new, cheaper used

I have also seen it offered in pdf format but no clue what it costs in that form

Of course! And I know circumstances are difficult right now so I also recommend you consider procuring “Contemporary Lampworking” by Bandhu, there are two volumes but you only need volume 1 to start and it’s considered the good standard of lampworking textbooks with solid explanations of technique.

https://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Lampworking-Practical-Guide-Shaping/dp/0965897214

Just another option as a resource

It Is an Oiless Makita 2 gallon 90 psi compressor. https://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC210Q-Oil-Free-Electric-Compressor/dp/B084GYHQFY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=32CZ4ZC3IBOE7&keywords=makita+air+compressor&qid=1662316482&sprefix=makita+air+co%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-2 For some reason when connecting my ex-20 to the compressor it seems nothing comes out of the actual compressor and nothing makes it to the tank. I have a 30 gallon 200psi tank and only one concentrator

I use this tile saw - https://www.amazon.com/SKIL-3540-02-7-Inch-Wet-Tile/dp/B003HIWR08/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=tile+saw&qid=1661966949&sr=8-5 - for breaking down large tube quickly. I will warn you, it makes a mess, especially with larger thicker tubes like 44x4... but I broken down 66x5 on it without issue. I have gone up to 80x3 with it but that was unnerving and I can't recommend it to anyone as even I won't do that again. I use an apron (because the saw blasts wet glass dust back in my direction), rubber cleaning gloves, safety glasses/goggles, and a respirator to avoid getting particulates in my mouth and lungs. With the saw above, I can only cut about halfway through large tube before it hits the guard, after which, I have to rotating the tube while in the blade to finish the cut. The first few are nerve-wracking because you can't help but feel like the damn thing is going to pop and turn into a billion shattered shards... but it doesn't and it works well.

The 12x2 is cake. Score a line, rub some water around the circumference where the line is scored and crack the tube with your hands - make sure your thumbs are opposite to where you scored your line. There are tons of youtube videos on this process that I recommend you watch before attempting yourself.

Good luck!

I don't do glass but always recommend good lighting! Depending on time of day, location of the venue and what not you always want your stuff looking shiney and the colors to pop. https://www.amazon.com/Conference-Lighting-Flexible-Headboard-Computer/dp/B07PV6CK2P/ these are a pretty cheap/easy way to add direct lighting over your stuff on a table. Also, clear pricing is important! Sometimes people will think your handmade stuff costs more than you are charging and won't engage to ask the prices so make sure they can be seen so people can consider it in their own head without asking. Good luck!

Get one of these. They’re cheap…and work. https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Hot-Jumbo-Ceramic-Heater/dp/B004ALIDRM/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=curling+iron+stove&qid=1645456261&sr=8-3

I've got something similar to this. It moves plenty of air, but it requires a large duct. I just dump out the side of the garage. I do lampworking mostly as a hobby, so I've been too lazy to build a duct hood so far, but you really should make sure you have one covering your worktop. Especially if you're in front of it for hours a day every day.

Thanks for looking! I have an etsy (that really needs to be updated) https://www.etsy.com/shop/adamenverre

I'm really trying to get rid of these so I can fund this awesome hobby so everything here is $15 - $20 shipped in the US if interested!

So that might be a dumb question, but does the quartz glass tube of an uv aquarium light have similar heat resistance properties that regular quartz glass? said tube

So you'd recommend using flashback arresters on the torch as well? Will these work with propane? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UUQJLY/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o04\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So just a clear glass ball? That's not hard to do at all. The exact sizing is where you're going to run into problems, especially if you want it to be of optical quality and precision.

You can get larger ones relatively easily. They're designed for contact jugglers. You might also find them sold as new age "crystal balls." I doubt they'll do much to focus your energy, but they'll focus light well enough.

I actually found a place that sells #0 COE 33 boro frit. Now I'm just having trouble finding more colored stringers that are 2-.5mm, lol. I was given a few in the classes I went to and I'm getting down to the nubs. This is perfect for playing around

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077X13D26/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A7EVAGHYJ7FET&psc=1

I bought myself this pencil and pen holder on Amazon to hold tools and prepped work. Absolutely love it. The smaller slots are perfect for 90% of my tools and fit a 12x2 tube perfectly and the larger slots work great with my tools that have a thicker handle.

I use those modular wire cubes for storage in my studio and use mailing tubes in them for rods.

I have this exhaust fan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SM1GWZ8/ref=twister_B07Z4554WX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Terrabloom 10 inch exhaust fan, I have been using it for a little over a month and it works good for me, I have 10 inch metal duct work leading out and a fume hood, I am in a 485 sq ft garage and have not had any issues, I can adjust the speed which is nice, I usually have it on full blast when I am working but will turn it to 50% if I am smoking in there during a break.

Amazon torch, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016HE4YDQ/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_DyyrEbV648GNQ You are all awesome. Most projects will be hollow I'm looking to make mostly glass pieces for the Dispo I work for. Marbles and pendants would be fun for skill practice but mostly micro rigs and spoons.

1000cfm fan from Amazon.

It depends a lot on what kind of space you have available. The hardest part is getting a space - very preferably separate from your house, so a shed or something, because glass shards will follow you around everywhere.

Here's a quick calculation:

-$715 Torch and torch-necessities

-$450 10lpm concentrator with a 3 year warranty (Available/Oxygen) -$50 propane regulator -$35 t-grade oxygen/propane hoses -$30 for flashback arrestors -$150 torch (GTT Bobcat, Bethlehem Alpha, GTT Cricket, Carlisle Mini CC, National 3a, National 6b)

or, get none of that, and just get a hothead for $40 for now. You might be able to find a local concentrator for a lot cheaper - $450 for a 10lpm concentrator (from Available/Oxygen) is really about the warranty. You could just use tanked oxygen, but it doesn't take long for a concentrator to pay for itself.

-$613 other gear

-$40 annealing bubbles from ArtCoInc (you'll need a kiln before you sell stuff, but you won't make anything good enough to sell for a while) -$35 6-hole marble mold from ArrowSprings -$45 small flared claw grabbers from ArrowSprings -$3 5" stainless steel tweezers -$70 (?) for some shade 3 or shade 5 didymium goggles if you're working soft glass, no shade, just didymium -$3 for some 1/8" stainless steel welding rods for mandrels -$25 Drew Fritts "Torchworked Marbles" ebook -$100 (or more) for some glass to start -$85 gable fan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E6JC1C -$50 gable fan shutter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E6DMEK -$150 (?) custom-fabricated sheet-metal hood (not galvanized)

This is assuming you're going to start with beads, marbles, and pendants. Solid work like this is a good place to start.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LX2YI2V/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A7EVAGHYJ7FET

that is the cabinet knob mould. so am i going to be kind of limited to beads, marbles, pendants with a hot head?

i am on the same page as far as needing oxy/propane mix torches for higher heat.

what about the gtt bobcat or gtt cricket? those are much cheaper torches

The Kiln Book will tell you everything you need to know.

You can get super intricate, especially when creating vinyl stencils like in that video. I would test it on a slide or downstem or something easy to replace. That way you can test application thickness and soak times before rinse. Then when you are satisfied on how much to paint on and how long to leave it on for, you can do the actual rigs.

You can buy thick back vinyl adhesive at craft store. I like to draw on it with white pencil or cut out over printed text if I'm doing a font. I use this swivel knife to cut the vinyl (http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-133140-1001-Fingertip-Swivel-Knife/dp/B001IDYT6Y) Then you just have to tape it on and be really meticulous about cleanly peeling off the negative cutout space so the vinyl stays stuck on the glass and no etching solution gets under it.

If you YouTube vinyl stencil making you will find all kinds of crazy stuff people do, have fun!!

I use this, configured in the two side-by-side shelves. Just keep the glass in the case cardboard boxes to keep the dust off.

http://www.amazon.com/URWM184872BK-Storage-Adjustable-Shelves-Capacity/dp/B00DSAAYM8