fermentation lock

[mkultra2300]

I like to fire polish the ends of my points too, but I just burn my lips instead of slicing them up... I'm not sure there is an advantage to this technique :0

[MarJo138]

@mkultra2300 uh, have you tried letting the glass cool off?

[MrMeker]

Will you make a video showing the the different tips and flames of the National

3-A hand torch? It seems to do alot for you and I want to see what it can do for me before I set one up. What size tip were you using in the video?

[acroduster]

I can make a video showing the one tip I have, though I actually think the mini torch is a better hand torch for most work, its tips allow for very precise flames, I have a number 5 on my national.

[TuBeUlar009]

You ain't having fun your doin' it wrong! Best saying in glass I have heard yet. A quick little question on this video here. In the ferm. lock what purpose do the constrictions of the ball section serve? And the shape of the balls too? Can we get more artistic with this.... it's a beautiful form.

[acroduster]

the balls are just a style, a friend sent me a picture of a fermentation lock, and I simply duplicated it as best I could figure.-) yes, you can get crazy artistic with these, as long as you make certain that it will function yyour golden.-)

[TuBeUlar009]

Nice... I know you recommend one inch heavy wall tubing to be connected to 10 MM but can I use 1.25 inch heavy and connect to 1/2 inch (12.7MM) or will I run into problems?

[acroduster]

you can use any size you like, the trick is making sure there is a gas tight method of attaching it to the fermentation chamber, I think 10mm is a standard size there, but I am guessing, if anyone knows what standard is for this, let me know.-)

[cripskillz]

PimP lovin your vids..

[hotglass]

Very cool my friend. You made it look damn easy! I see right off a couple of things I was doing wrong. I am going to get this down this weekend. Maybe I'll do a video reply... Fermentation Lock Throw-Down, only on Youtube...

Thanks for posting this. 5 stars!

~Ross

[acroduster]

remember, I spent the last 3 years 8, 10, sometimes 16 hours a day behind the torch doing production to pay for putting together my studio, and the production allowed me to learn more skills for my art for free.-) so , not really easy, just, familiar with glass behaviour.-) and there are so many ways to do this, this is just the way I made up while I was going, had a rough plan in my head, from looking at the pic you sent, but this was my official first attempt, im hooked on making them now.-)

[ramanglass544]

I like it

makes me want to set up my torch!

[ornametalsmith]

Bobby, I enjoyed the longer vid. Interesting piece, lots to learn.

KEEP'EM comin. I'll be making the V tool today :) your inspirational.

thankx

[acroduster]

I made that V groove tool.-) they are fun to make, and you save a ton by knowing metal working in glass art.-) I have seen v groove tools for sale all the way to 50+ per unit!-( I made mine for around 5 total.-)

[ornametalsmith]

Already got my V tool done....and attached to my marver. Gotta wait until it cools down OUTSIDE, to fire up the torch and PLAY with it. I already had a piece of scrap brass that had the V cut....just had to make a bracket to hold it. :) MAYBE I should think about making/marketing some tools for other glass artists, since I've got the shop/skills

[acroduster]

hell yes! I would, but I am so busy with glass, and videos about glass, that I only make tools for myself.-) but there is good money in quality tools! I can even tell you what tools are in demand at high quality, think diamond shears, and jacks. I can send you blueprints from my jacks if it would help. v groove tools good too, and GRABBERS! hell, I will even test, feature, and recommend them for you.-) we need a CarlaDona level tool manufacturer!

oh, and Italian style flameworking blowpipes!

[ornametalsmith]

I'm all ears, Bobby. I couldn't find contact info on your site. Email me the blueprints and any other tools you'd recomend through my site, if you don't mind.

And I have 2 HUGE rolls of thin sheet(banding) 'bout 1.25" wide. Think it would be perfect to make the jacks from. Shear both ends to a point....roll........wax......­.:)

[ramanglass544]

if your making jacks

Im always available to be a product tester ;)

[acroduster]

I will get the drawings to you, I am in production this weekend, I will have a break by monday, and should be able to get them off to you by then.-) jacks do have silver soldered or brazed blades, and the shape of the blades are critical, there are also different types, ones for opening the small hole when making goblets, some are better shaped for necking, I will include as much information as I have, may even make a video so you can better see some details.-)

[ornametalsmith]

I appreciate ya.......looking forward to your input. Hope you had a productive weekend. I went ahead and made a few prototypes. And I'll post a video for your perusal. I decided to mechanically attach the blades...to the second prototype........rather than soldering/brazing.

[bzglass]

NIce vid but what was the result of all that work? Lets see a picture of the final outcome. Maybe sittin pretty on the top of a carboy!!-full of beer

[acroduster]

yeah, that was pretty lame of me, sorry about that, I will get an image of it in action, I do not brew myself though, so I will have to visit the person that is beta testing my first lock.-) I got in a hurry, and just was too lazy.-(

[milowerx69]

Nice to see you in your shop. It looks like a nice place to chill and work. That thing was sick. It's cool to see the differing lines of products you can explore.

[acroduster]

It is my refuge!-) I spend my days in this studio, in the hills over the oregon coast. It is my zen.-) and glass, well, it just makes life so much more interesting.-)

[666ThaScarecro666]

ferm locks for wine making or home brewing?

Shit all i got is a crappy little plastic one. That one looks cool as shit.

[acroduster]

well, at least the plastic one is probably harder to break.-) thank you for the compliment, it is my first try at a fermentation lock, a friend asked for the demo, and I thought, why not? so I threw this one out, I had a blast, think I will be making more of them.-)