Lampworking
Lampwork glass making is a method of melting and shaping solid glass in the flame of a table-top torch. Many people take up this hobby because it is possible to build a workstation in your own home and create glass art. Others use lampworking in alliance with glassblowing because you can create the small, detailed components of a glass structure. Whatever your interest, lampworking can be accomplished by considering some essential items.
Studio Setup
When beginning to lampwork glass, it is preferable to build your own studio so that you can practice your skills whenever possible. If you have a spare room in your house or even some space in a garage, you can set up your own workspace by acquiring a few basic elements.
The first two components needed for your studio are propane and a pressurized oxygen supply with oxygen regulator. Propane tanks, like those used for barbecue grills, are available at home improvement stores or gas stations. You can acquire oxygen tanks and regulators from a welding supply store. Another popular option for oxygen is to purchase an oxygen generator from a glass supply vendor, therefore bypassing the need for the tanks. A word of caution: If you want to use a generator, check with the vendor first to make sure that it will work with the particular type of torch setup that you plan to have.
A torch setup and a way to anneal your glass are other must-haves for your studio. If you are just starting out, many glass supply vendors offer lampworking starter kits complete with the propane/oxygen hoses, torch, didymium glasses and basic tools. Be sure to evaluate the kit to make sure it works with the type of glass you plan to use. Additionally, you need a way to anneal (bring down the temperature and remove stresses) your finished glass. Use a kiln or vermiculite, available at garden centers, for this purpose.
Finally, one of the most important pieces in your studio is a ventilation system. A ventilation system can be a vented hood system or a big box fan in a window. This is crucial for ensuring your health and well-being so do not overlook this requirement.
Types of Glass
The two most common types of glass that lampworkers use are soda lime (soft glass) and borosilicate (hard glass). The main difference between the two is the Coefficient of Expansion (COE), which is how fast the glass expands when heated.
Borosilicate has a COE 33 and expands at a slower rate than soda lime, which usually has a COE between 90 and 104. The characteristics of the COE play a big part in determining which glass you use. Borosilicate has less of a thermal shock nature and, therefore, is ideal for creating complex sculptures or other designs that can wait a longer time before being reheated. On the other hand, the benefits of a higher COE are that the glass melts much quicker and can be worked at a lower temperature. When you make a selection, be sure to work the same COE values together, because different COE glasses are incompatible and will crack if used with each other.
Basic Technique
Rotation is key with glass making. Whether you are heating a rod or a hollow tube, you must always circle the glass around in your hand to keep everything on axis and keep an even heat base around your piece. If you do not rotate, solid work may be prone to cracking and hollow glass will blow out uneven.
Before working with glass, you can practice this rotation by simply holding a pen or pencil in your dominant hand and twisting it around between your thumb and forefinger. The remaining three fingers are used as a support for the object. Continue to rotate the object while watching television or during other mundane tasks so that you build up muscle memory and the action becomes automatic while at the torch.
