I just had a question about whether the wooden marble molds could be used to make pipes. Somehow it seems to have disappeared from this thread so I think I hit the wrong button. But, to answer the question - I usually do my blown glass pipes freehand by evenly heating the end and then blowing a bubble while turning. However, I have seen other glassblowers blow bubbles into a mold although it is usually a freestanding one or being held by an assistant (for a larger piece) rather than a hand held one.
I almost never use a mold to blow a hand pipe. One could, but it is not necessary. However, when making bongs or other larger bubbles I will often use the wooden mold. Holding it in my left hand and using a blowhose so I can blow while rotating the gather with my right hand.
Hi Donna! I can make you a wooden paddle. I also make graphite ones. There are pros and cons to each. The wooden ones work better and they smell wonderful when you work with them since a little bit of the wood carbonizes every time you use them, but they need to always be wet, even if you don't use them for a while. This means that after a while you need to dump out the water in the vat they are sitting in - otherwise it gets gross. Graphite doesn't work as well and doesn't smell as nice, but you don't have to keep it wet. As for the silver, anything OVER an ounce tends to spatter less; I prefer two ounce coins and they go really far. Plus you need to use the tightest flame you can dial on your torch.
I just had a question about whether the wooden marble molds could be used to make pipes. Somehow it seems to have disappeared from this thread so I think I hit the wrong button. But, to answer the question - I usually do my blown glass pipes freehand by evenly heating the end and then blowing a bubble while turning. However, I have seen other glassblowers blow bubbles into a mold although it is usually a freestanding one or being held by an assistant (for a larger piece) rather than a hand held one.
I like the way you did the loop. Smart to just form it on the rod
Thank you! It means it already has a punty when you go to put it onto your piece.
I just had a question about whether the wooden marble molds could be used to make pipes. Somehow it seems to have disappeared from this thread so I think I hit the wrong button. But, to answer the question - I usually do my blown glass pipes freehand by evenly heating the end and then blowing a bubble while turning. However, I have seen other glassblowers blow bubbles into a mold although it is usually a freestanding one or being held by an assistant (for a larger piece) rather than a hand held one.
I almost never use a mold to blow a hand pipe. One could, but it is not necessary. However, when making bongs or other larger bubbles I will often use the wooden mold. Holding it in my left hand and using a blowhose so I can blow while rotating the gather with my right hand.
Do you sell the wood paddle? When you use that large chunk of silver, does it not leave silver drops below?
Hi Donna!
I can make you a wooden paddle. I also make graphite ones. There are pros and cons to each. The wooden ones work better and they smell wonderful when you work with them since a little bit of the wood carbonizes every time you use them, but they need to always be wet, even if you don't use them for a while. This means that after a while you need to dump out the water in the vat they are sitting in - otherwise it gets gross. Graphite doesn't work as well and doesn't smell as nice, but you don't have to keep it wet.
As for the silver, anything OVER an ounce tends to spatter less; I prefer two ounce coins and they go really far. Plus you need to use the tightest flame you can dial on your torch.
@Charles Harraghy - read y reply above for a little more info about the wooden paddles.
I just had a question about whether the wooden marble molds could be used to make pipes. Somehow it seems to have disappeared from this thread so I think I hit the wrong button. But, to answer the question - I usually do my blown glass pipes freehand by evenly heating the end and then blowing a bubble while turning. However, I have seen other glassblowers blow bubbles into a mold although it is usually a freestanding one or being held by an assistant (for a larger piece) rather than a hand held one.
What kind of torch/torches are you using?
I'm using a Victor that I modified. You can see more about it here: ruclips.net/video/SMvqTESa7nQ/видео.html