Small Scale Glassblowing with Nortel Minor Burner?

Feb 27, 2004 25 Replies

Don't pull points. Get a blowhose and attach it. Blow gently, if the glass puts up as much resistance as bubble gum, it needs to be hotter. Try to avoid blowing too thin. Even heat is the secret to even blowing. I have some neon tubing that is leaded glass, but Bullseye seems to be compatible.

Louis, could you give us some more details on using a blowhose? It's something I've thought of, but never tried.

T>Don't pull points. Get a blowhose and attach it. Blow gently, if the glass

I learned to use one from Roger Parramore. It is a plastic cigar tip attached to a rubber hose with a 90 degree swivel on the other end that has about 1" of rubber hose on it. Either use glass that the hose will fit snugly into or heat the end of the glass tube until it collapses into a hole that is a good size for the hose. Wait until it cools to attach the hose. Then heat the end of the glass that isn't attached to the swivel until it closes or use a stopper. Now you can heat what ever part of the glass tube you want to work with and blow it out. The swivel lets you rotate the glass without binding the rubber hose. It is so much easier than pulling points, plus you have a better view of what you are blowing as you blow it.

I took a class with Roger Parramore and he blew a 14" high footed goblet of boro using a minor burner. I regularly use one to make Christmas balls out of boro. It is hard to get anything really thick to heat up properly. I have a Carlisle CC for that.

Don't pull points. Get a blowhose and attach it. Blow gently, >

thanks for the encouragement Louis

I have a blow hose - and have never tried to to use it yet!!!

maybe someday!

Cheryl last semester of lawschool! yipee! DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

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