The first thing is to take a look at our glass 101.
Get to know the terms, techniques, and tools found in glass
One can get started for a few hundred dollars and it will be a bit ghetto. Or one can invest a few thousand dollars for a nice setup.
Here is a beginners list we feel good about. Some things can be forgotten, but this is a solid list.
- Torch
- Go with a national. If you ever want to upgrade you will have a super universal hand torch. It is an ultimate torch and I wish I knew how great it was 13 years ago. Get a few tips, but go with a 12 hole to start with.
- A stand for the torch is also a good idea.
- Propane Tank and Regulator
- Oxygen Tank and Regulator (Get a K tank or even bigger and go with a T tank)
- Propane and Oxy hose
- Hose Clamps
- Exhaust Fan
- Table with a metal top
- A slab of graphite or tile. We love graphite as it will last for a long time if you take care of it.
- Clear glass rod and tubing
- Colored glass rod
- Kiln (while many people will try to get by without one, it is not recommended) You can not fully anneal your glass without one, therefore you would make a shitty product.
- Maybe a graphite hand paddle.
On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness which rates a diamond as 10 and chalk as 1,
borosilicate comes in at 7.5 and the other types of glass at 6.
All you need to to is go to the signup page. You will need to get a ticket and fill out the form.
The HFA on the Silver Surfer (SSV)or Super Surfer (SUP) can be bent to fit. It should be bent so that it is snug, but not so tight it puts so much pressure on the heater cover. Just enough to hold the wand to the heater cover. It is designed to move around.
They are made with bamboo sticks coated in plants resins and essential oils.
See our blog here.
FLIP DISC (FLIPS) OR DRAWING
This technique is much like a fillacello but the artist chooses to make a drawing rather than a lined pattern. The artist starts with the bold outlines and then fills in the drawing. The artists must then flip the image or turn it inside out. The part can be used in a water pipe or dab rig, as well as it can be turned into a pendant.
Gold rolling papers are made from regular papers that have a thin layer of gold sprayed on them. Gold is the most malleable material on earth and can be as thin as 1 atom.
The manufacturers say the gold stays in the ash, but we do know that you can fume gold with the same temperature that a cherry in a joint is at.
Ask any glassblower and they will tell you the dangers of gold fuming while they work their craft. If someone trying to sell you gold papers tells you “it’s different these don’t burn as hot” please ignore them – their heartless goal is to make money from you regardless of the lung damage they cause. Using a torch lighter is exactly the same as using a torch on gold, it causes toxic fumes.
So, in our opinion this is a product to be avoided. If you must smoke one go with the Shine papers, they’ve been around longer and are more honest in their approach “we don’t know if it’s toxic, we haven’t done any studies” as opposed to the others who will say anything to separate you from your money.
These pipes have three pin holes in the body of the pipe precisely placed to force air in, creating a vortex with your smoke. This also cools down the smoke a substantial amount while thinning the smoke out to make is smoother.
If you are looking for a really smooth and super flavorful hit, think about a vaporizer like the Silver Surfer.
The best way is to buy from a reputable company like Elev8 Glass Gallery. They only buy from trusted names.
