I just got interested in Glass working by reading through my daughter's bead magazine. There was an article on making beads from glass (lampwork I think is the term they used). I am an amateur blacksmith and was wondering if I could use an Oxy-Acetylene welding torch to do this work. I am also looking for web pages describing setting up a glass work area and recommended tools for an initial setup.
Also is there a list of places to go and take classes in this art form?
Thanks in advance for your help Mark Russell
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M
Moonraker
Try this forum for starters:
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There areothers, try Googling for "beadwork & forum".
S
Steve Ackman
You can use oxy-propane through a standard oxyacetylene (cutting) torch provided your acetylene regulator is rated for propane as well. Apparently some aren't. (My Harris regulator works fine with propane.)
No-photo description of beginning beadmaking
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the same article with pictures using a Uniweld cutting torch
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R
Ron Parker
Make sure your hoses are rated for propane, too. It's my understanding that most standard welding-type hoses are not.
M
Moonraker
Aw, Geez! Now Brady's a freakin' bead-making expert, too.
M
Moonraker
There's another newsgroup that is all beadmakers. Maybe it's rec.crafts. beads? It's a shrill bunch of PMS-laden artistes, but if you act nice you might get some good advice. Just don't infer that they are a bunch of nitwit, no-talent beadmakers unless you have a castration wish. Ha!
S
Steve Ackman
Right. Propane apparently tends to dry-rot hoses designed strictly for acetylene. That said, I used one for over a year without any signs of rot or leakage. Sometimes you use what you've got even when you're supposed to know better. ;-)
J
jo
Sounds like someone with experience;)
Mark, I'll suggest checking out the International Society of Glass Beadmakers forum for your start-up information. You don't need to become a member to use the forum, but it's moderated and you do need to sign on. It's at isgb.org and they have classes listed in your area.
smartflix.com rents technical videos - Smircich Makes Beads is a good place to start.
You can begin with just a $35 hot head torch and a one pound bottle of mapp gas and see if this is something you are really interested in before you spend much on a duel fuel torch, tools, and an annealing kiln (or just take a class first). If you want to start with a duel fuel torch, the Nortel Minor Burner ~$150 is a very commonly used surface mix torch that is easy to resell if you decide beadmaking isn't for you. You need a "T" rated fuel hose for it & the appropriate regulators.
You can see a basic beginners kit at howacoglass.com, but it is lacking a pair of ACE 202 glasses, which you'll need to see thru the flare.
2 of the largest vendor sites: arrowsprings.com frantzartglass.com
Some good books to start with are Making Glass Beads by Cindy Jenkins, or More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Glass Beadmaking by James Kervin for a more technical look at things - it covers stuff the others don't.
Another forum to look at is wetcanvas.com under Glass Art.
jo
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