Glassblowing on a Budget
Glassblowing is becoming an increasingly popular hobby in the United States. Sites like Chihuly (click here) and HandBlownGlass.com (click here) feature some amazing hand blown glass blown by true professionals. While you may never be able to produce pieces like these artists, you can still have some fun while making some pretty cool art.
Setting up a small glassblowing studio is costly, but it can also be done on a budget. If you're new to the hobby it's possible to build a small studio with all of the tools inexpensively. The cost of building a glassblowing studio is largely dependent on what your objectives are. As a beginner there is no need to go out and spend thousands of dollars on tools. You can start small and upgrade your tools as you become more familiar with the hobby.
Tools Needed to Start Glassblowing
You should invest in a torch that you won't have to upgrade after a short time. I recommend buying a propane + oxygen torch, as it'll be suitable for working with soft glass and hard glass (borosilicate). Expect to spend $200 on a torch that will last a long time.
Glass cools very quickly when working with it. The glory hole is a furnace used to continually reheat the glass. Hobbyists can make do with a small glory hole, which will cost close to $800 - $1000 by the time you purchase a gas regulator or propane reducer.
A small annealing kiln will run $100 - $400 and will be suitable for beginners. The annealer will slowly cool down your finished glass to room temperature. This process make your glass much more durable and the risk of shattering/cracking is reduced significantly.
I recommend purchasing a stainless steel marver sheet to place on top of your workbench. The cost is minimal ($20 - $40). A marver is used for multiple purposes including controlling the temperature of the glass and reshaping the heated glass you're working with.
A blowpipe is essential to glassblowing. The tool is used to blow a bubble of air in molten glass, gather glass around the bubble and for rotating the glass as you shape your item. A blowpipe will cost $50 - $200 depending upon the quality of product you want.
The punty is a steel rod used to hold the glass you're working on, which will allow you to work on other sides of your item. If you're building a vase, once you're done the bottom of the vase you transfer the glass to a punty to work on the opening of the glass.
A wood paddle is a handheld tool that is used by glassblowers to flatten hot glass such as the bottom of a bottle. Paddles cost under $10 and are needed when making anything with a flat bottom. If you're just making small beads/marbles you won't need this tool.
- Shears, Tweezers, Pliers, Tongs & Jacks
These miscellaneous tools are inexpensive, but needed to perform glassblowing. You need to be able to cut, shape and narrow the glass that you're working with. Tweezers and pliers also help in many situations including when you're transferring glass.
- Heat Shield, Gloves & Safety Glasses
Glassblowing can be dangerous and it's imperative to understand the risks. Three tools everyone must have include the heat shield, gloves and safety glasses. There are also other safety regulations that you should consult a professional in your city/town about.
There are other costs as well to consider such as supplies, propane, oxygen, ventilation, etc. The above is an outline of what you'll need in terms of glassblowing tools to build a start-up studio on a budget while ensuring your set-up does not limit your options.
Beginners can also purchase a tabletop glassblowing kit for around $600, which will allow you to try out the hobby before investing more into items. The great thing about glassblowing tools is that they hold their value extremely well and can be resold quickly.
