Suggested tools

[Todd Thaler]

I am a begining glassblower in Colorado, and have been taking lessons for about 8 months now. I want to start investing in my own tools and would like to know what I should start out with as I build up a tool set. Any suggestions and where to get them reasonably priced would be appreciated. Thanks for helping a newby glassblower!:)

[Jeff Thompson]

I think Jim Moore tools are a great place to start out. Cutting Edge and Carlo Donna are more expensive. I still routinely use my Jim Moore tools that I bought over a decade ago when I was in your shoes. I would probably avoid used tools, unless you're sure they're in great condition.

I would suggest:
Sm or Med Jacks
Trim Shear
diamond shear
sm or med. tweezer

Diamond shears from Jim Moore are not my cup of tea, but I'm sure you've seen/used them before and can decide if that's the right diamond for you. I like the Putsch diamond almost as much as the CE and CD.

When I was learning I loved having my own blowpipe/punty, cause that was the only straight one in the shop. The hard part was getting everyone to leave it alone. I like the Spiral Arts "Standard workhorse", wow, now that's a blowpipe.

Jim Moore tools are purchased thru Jim himself in Seattle, same with Cutting Edge (Chico). Carlo Donna comes thru Spiral Arts.

[William Kurylo]

I found the best "tool" to buy first was a pipe... Stienert pipes work well for me...
http://www.steinertindustries.com/

[Glenn Randle]

I've been quite happy with my Jim Moore jacks, the price is good & quality is great. I really like his tweezers too.

Moore's shears are okay, but I prefer Essemce. They are made with precision and cut very smoothly.

If your budget is tight, you can skimp on the shears and get the low priced Pusch. I actually use their cheap trimming shears, which are good enough for me. Their low end diamond shears will get you by for a while, but won't last like an expensive pair will.

You can "get by" with low-end tools, but I'd reccomend the best jacks you can afford.


Blocks are to to have, but I wouldn't consider getting them until after you have a full basic set of hand tools. Actually, they are "sorta" optional, many blowers get by fine without them. But, they are very good "training wheels" when you're beginning. Hopefully you can borrow them wherever you're working.

have fun,
Glenn

[Scott Novota]

Get what your shop that you rent at lacks first.


They have burn out gloves that cause issues. By yourself some gloves of your own.

Shears always dull at the rental shop...get them first.

Pipes all bent? Get a new pipe and punty.


Get what will make your life nicer first and fill in the rest as money and time permits. Beauty of not having to buy it all at once is that you can keep and eye out for deals along the way.



Scott.
.

[Scott Dunahee]

And if you have a trust fund, there is a pair of medium Dino's (http://cgi.ebay.com/Dino-Jacks-mediums-for-glass-blowing_W0QQitemZ250217125009QQihZ015QQcategoryZ11 6642QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) on eBay right now. You can buy them now for $1200 which may be a fair price for someone who is interested in buying those jacks. I bet they go for a grand.

I'm not affiliated in any way, but I like watching vintage glass tools continue to climb in value.

BSD

[Jordan Kube]

I would go with a basic set of four tools first. Jacks, a straight shear for trimming, a diamond shear and a pair of tweezers.

It's good to save money but if you plan on being in it for the long run you should have your own tools. I have what I would call a lot of tools. Many are modified from their original state or are simply things I've found to work well for glass. I'm not talking about using tin snips instead of trim shears either.

Jacks- Jim Moore Standard Jack w/9" blade $210. When I first started buying my own tools I wanted to make smaller things but I couldn't afford cup jacks. In hindsight nor did I have the skill to make the things I wanted to make. The first pair of jacks I bought were Jim Moore's 8" standard jack. I wished later that I had got the next size up.

Trim Shear- Jim Moore trim shear $80. A great little shear with a comfortable grip for trimming and cutting.

Tweezers- Jim Moore medium tweezer 12" $75. These are the best tweezers made in my opinion. Again I made the mistake of getting small tweezers and wished I hadn't. These are good for sculpting and doing delicate work as well. I think he makes the best tips on a tweezer.

Diamond shear- Carlo Dona,110mm or Putsch Meneconi 100mm(different than the regular Putsch shears) $159-208. When I went to get my first set I had a mind to get Jim Moore diamond shears. I'm glad they were all out and I had to go and get a pair of Donas. Either of these shears mentioned will serve you well as a first shear. They stay sharp and the blades are beveled so they only contact at the cutting edge.

Total $524-573.

If you want pipes and punties I personally like Spiral Arts pipes and punties. Well made and they can take a beating. Ed Skeels also very reasonably priced pipes and punties.

www.spiralarts.com Pipes, Carlo Dona tools.

www.glasscolor.com Jim Moore tools.

www.putschusa.com Putsch tools.

www.keithorrblowpipes.com Ed's pipes and punties.

[Jeff Lindsay]

Wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't add this additional source:

www.cuttingedgeprdx.com

[Allan Gott]

the dinos are at $360.

Somebody's going to be watching that auction very closely for the next 44 hours.

BTW - I think Ed has an auction up for some std Keith Orr pipes.

While I'm at it, Jim Vormelker in S. Cal. has posted a sale of his equipment and supplies on the handmade board. He lists some FC color for any who might be interested. Interesting quantities of some stuff. Pick up only apparently. Somebody's gonna get a smokin' deal there.

[Scott Young]

Originally posted by Allan Gott
the dinos are at $360.

Somebody's going to be watching that auction very closely for the next 44 hours.

BTW - I think Ed has an auction up for some std Keith Orr pipes.

While I'm at it, Jim Vormelker in S. Cal. has posted a sale of his equipment and supplies on the handmade board. He lists some FC color for any who might be interested. Interesting quantities of some stuff. Pick up only apparently. Somebody's gonna get a smokin' deal there.


Handmade board???? got a link?

[Rick Sherbert]

http://handmade-glass.com/start.html

[Jeff Thompson]

Originally posted by Jeff Lindsay
Wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't add this additional source:

www.cuttingedgeprdx.com

Mr. Lindsay:
You have truly elevated tool making to an art form.... a type of art that blends specific technical requirements, materials knowledge and hot glass knowledge. You are uniquely qualified to make what I consider to be the best tools available today. Thank you!!!!!! Each time I reach for my huge diamonds, I don't have to think about a single thing except for what I'm about to cut. In addition, my wife can operate these large tools with precision and this has not been possible with other large tools.

I recommend your tools routinely, but for a beginner my only hesitation would be this: Most beginners probably lack the sensitivity to really understand the difference between what you make and other tools. For example: when closing your diamond shears, the shape formed by the cutting edges is actually a diamond shape, whereas others are a "square" shape. This feature give a much more positive cut.

I'm a huge fan of your duckbills, too. Wow, they're amazing. They cut so smoothly through the thickest glass that I often compare it to snowboarding through deep fresh powder, that's what those feel like to me.

[Jeff Lindsay]

Jeff,
Thanks so much for the kind words.
My point in posting was just to be included as another source for tools.
FYI I do make tools other than my shears, ie, pipes punty's, jacks and studio equipment. And an odd vehicle now & then.
Thanks again.
Jeff

[Jud Scott]

a pub on wheels. do you have to peddle to get served?

[Jeff Lindsay]

That would be a YES

[Glenn Randle]

Jeff that's awsome. Guess it's called a "Drunkmobile"?;)

[Jeff Lindsay]

"Bike Bar" to be specific.

[Allan Gott]

Originally posted by Scott Dunahee
I bet they go for a grand.

I'm not affiliated in any way, but I like watching vintage glass tools continue to climb in value.

BSD

We can't retire on the contents of our tool bags yet Scott. The Dinos only made it to $800.

[Wes Hunting]

Jeff,
I would like to order one of those with a small, solar powered, hot shop mounted on the roof. :thumb:

[Jeff Lindsay]

Wes,
In stock & ready to ship.
You know I am all about turn around.
Though it will have to be pre pay.
We need to talk.
JL

[Mark Halva]

Hi Group,
I would like to highjack this thread for a bit. I have used Moore jacks, Toensings, Putsch,and Jordon's. Can anybody tell me if Jeff's have a better feel, cutting edge, etc. I am thinking of buying a pair, and would like to know what you think. Currently I use either the Moore's or Jordon's.
Thanks,
Mark

[Scott Dunahee]

I own two pair of Dino's and use my Cutting Edge mediums every day.

BSD

[Eben Horton]

Originally posted by Scott Dunahee
I own two pair of Dino's and use my Cutting Edge mediums every day.

BSD

I'll take the dinos then ;)

[Rick Sherbert]

I have a bunch of different makes of shears and while most get the job done, if you are a toolie like me you will be totally taken by the quality and the way Jeff's cut. They are soooo smooth. I have a pair of large diamonds I have had for a bunch of years and they still cut like new.

Find someone that will let you try their Cutting Edge shears. You will buy them after that.

[Pete VanderLaan]

Originally posted by Mark Halva
Hi Group,
I would like to highjack this thread for a bit. I have used Moore jacks, Toensings, Putsch,and Jordon's. Can anybody tell me if Jeff's have a better feel, cutting edge, etc. I am thinking of buying a pair, and would like to know what you think. Currently I use either the Moore's or Jordon's.
Thanks,
Mark
**********

About seven years ago I took on a commission involving about 700 4.5 inch diameter paperweights. I started the project with my Moore's and about 200-250 weights in, I had put a deep groove in the blades. I called Jeff and he sent me a pair of his which did the remainder of the job without any perceivable wear at all. They went on to do the four hundred vessels also required for the order, again, a thick resisting neck. They were and are smooth, easy to clean up and have a nice balanced feel to them. I still use those jacks.

[Jordan Kube]

Hot glass good Pete, cold glass bad.