Glass blowing is an art form that has been around for a long time, but interest in it died down until the 1960s, when it underwent a renewal. Glassblower’s Workstation. The glassblower’s bench is his workstation. It is where he sits, and places his tools. It is also where two rails function as pipe holder while the blower works with the piece. It can be made from steel and hardwood. Others are welded tubular steel with redwood bench seat.
Other manufacturers offer benches with ergonomic support that facilitates gaffer operations. This is to lessen strain and discomfort. Some also include detachable tool trays.

The bench top measures five 5 feet long and thirty inches deep. It should be non flammable with a back shield. It should be flat and smooth surfaced. It should be sturdy since it is where the burner sits. The marver table is where the molten glass is rolled. Traditionally, it used to be a flat slab of marble. Now it’s made of thick flat steel. Some marver tables are custom made depending on user’s dimensions. Nowadays market offers so many aids or work tools and devices. Some of these include: pipe turners, pipe coolers, heat shields, choppers and yokes.

Glass Blowing As a Science
Glass is a mixture of soda, lime, sand and heat. The main components are natural ingredients. The process it goes thru is scientific and temperature applied is measured.
It becomes a science when one wants to be professional with complex glass apparatus and glass systems. Some scientific devices created are glow tubes, filament lamps and thermionic devices.

Glass Blowing As an Art
When the blowing procedure takes place in the glass making process, it becomes an art. Some say scientific glass blowing techniques are applicable to the artistic one. This involves off hand creations of colored glasses.
Safety Tips on Glass Blowing
• The use of heavy welding gloves and the proper tools can protect one from severe burn and pain.
• Practice makes perfect.
• Electric furnace is better than gas furnace. It is controllable, quieter and environment friendly. However it is more expensive.
• Glass blowing lessons should be taught by a professional.
• It is advisable to use safety glasses or goggles to protect the eyes.
• It takes patience to learn the craft.

Speaking in modern sense the major tools involved in glass blowing are the blowpipe (or blow tube), the punty (or pontil), bench, marver, seers, blocks, jacks, paddles, tweezers, paper, and a variety of shears. The tip of the blowpipe is first preheated; then dipped in the molten glass in the furnace. The molten glass is ‘gathered’ on to the blowpipe in much the same way that honey is picked up on a dipper.

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