Glass Furnace
The melting tank that holds glass at working temperature, day and night, for the whole life of the studio.
Gathering
| Length | 1200 - 1500 mm |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter | 12 - 25 mm |
| Wall thickness | 1.5 - 2.5 mm |
| Material | Stainless 304 or mild steel |
| Maximum service temperature | 1100 °C at the gathering end |
| Coupling | 3/4 inch swivel for a blow hose |
| Weight | 0.6 - 1.4 kg |
Compatible glass types
Soda-lime
Borosilicate
Lead crystal
Compatibility assumes the tool is rated for the working temperature of that glass family. Check the maker's documentation before use.
Overview
A blowpipe is a hollow steel tube, typically 1.2 to 1.5 metres long, with a mouthpiece at one end and a slightly flared gathering end at the other. Length is a compromise: longer keeps your face further from the radiant heat but flexes more under a heavy gather and is harder to control with one hand. Stainless steel resists scaling better than mild steel but conducts heat up the tube faster.
Safety notes
- Never point a hot pipe at anyone. The tip is invisible against a dark background and holds heat for minutes.
- Check the pipe for scaling or a blocked bore before use. A partial blockage makes blow pressure unpredictable.
- Set hot pipes down on a rack, never on a bench edge where they can roll.
Using it well
Practical guidance
- Pre-heat a new pipe gradually along its length so it does not warp at the tip.
- A slightly flared gathering end releases the piece more cleanly when you transfer it.
- Keep the bore clean with a wire brush. Scale inside the tube changes how the glass inflates.
- Match pipe weight to gather size: a light pipe with a heavy gather will whip when you rotate it.
What to look for
- Swivel coupling at the mouthpiece for a blowing hose
- Flared gathering end for clean glass release
- Heat-resistant coating option on the working half
- Balanced weight for one-handed rotation
High temperature tool
This tool operates in or near the working range of molten glass. Read the safety notes above before first use, and never work with it without eye protection, heat-resistant gloves and working extraction.
Reference information only. Specifications are published ranges drawn from manufacturer documentation and normalised for comparison. They vary between makers and between individual units. This page does not sell or endorse any product, and does not guarantee any result. Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions and take hands-on instruction before operating hot glass equipment.
Related
Tools used alongside the blowpipe
Glory Hole
A reheating chamber that brings a cooling piece back to working temperature without touching the main furnace.
Shaping / Blowing
Exhaust Hood
The capture canopy and duct that remove combustion gases and metal oxide fumes from the studio.
Gathering
See the gathering & blowing workflow
Read the category overview, or jump into the 3D Studio to see these tools applied to a live piece.