Tools and Terms

Here is a list of tools and terms you might have seen us say or use.

Jacks

Shaped somewhat like large tweezers with two blades, which are used for forming shape later in the creation of a piece.

Diamond Shears

The round tips of the shears are used to hold the pipe where it's too hot to touch. The "diamond" shaped part has a sharpened edge to cut the glass.

BLock

Used for shaping the glass, this tool is made out of cherry wood and is soaked in water. It is a hard wood that has a longer burning life. It also has a straight grain that makes a smooth even texture in the glass.

Tag

Used to flatten and shape glass.

mapp gas

methylacetylene-propadiene propane. Used to focus heat in a certain area, this gas burns at 3,730 degrees fahrenheit (2,054 degrees Celsius) .

Tweezers

Used to skillfully control the hot glass.

Frit

This is the color that we add to clear glass. Comes in various sizes. Our studio provides color mixes for the public to use that have a mix of opaque and translucent colors.

bees wax

Smells great. This is used to coat the Jacks so the tool glides over the glass without scratching it.

Crucible Furnace

This is where the clear glass is kept. We keep this furnace running at all times at 2,100 degree Fahrenheit (1,148 degrees Celsius). The ones we use are electric.

Glory HOle

This furnace is used to continually reheat or melt the glass. It takes about two hours to get up to working temperature of 2,250 degrees Fahrenheit (1,232 degrees Celsius). Heated with natural gas and forced air.

Kiln/annealer

After making the glass it has to gradually cool down, otherwise the temperature shock causes it to break. We "box" the item into the annealer (put the glass into the kiln) and we run a program at the end of day that sends the temperature down very slowly overnight.

Blow pipes/punties

Blow pipes are a long hollow stainless steel tube that you gather the molten glass on the end.
Punties are similair, but solid for making solid items on, or the smaller punties are for gathering bits to add to glass, or to use to transfer glass from one pipe to another.

paddle

Flat piece of wood or graphite to create flattened areas. Sometimes used to shield the glassblower from radiant heat.

Straight Shears

For making linear cuts in the glass. To trim off unwanted sections