Working with glass tubes.

[tpowell1830]

I have watched a few videos from this person, who does some vintage repairs and works as a glass craftsman on projects. This is a video making a glass electronic tube from start to finish. It is a bit long, but I was fascinated.

I had the honor of working with a glass craftsman like this a few times in the '90s and this is no less exceptional, IMO.



Enjoy...

[Andy Watson]

Ah, glasslinger a.k.a. Ron Soyland - I recognise the lathe I'm a fan of his videos.
Another interesting tube maker to seek out is Claude Paillard , F2FO. He made a batch of triode valves as a centinary celebration of the invention/discovery of the triode. He attempted to use as near as practicle the contemporary technology - this included making most of the "technology".

[beanflying]

Something about glass  I saw this Nixie Tube one a while back.

https://youtu.be/wxL4ElboiuA

[tpowell1830]

Ah, glasslinger a.k.a. Ron Soyland - I recognise the lathe I'm a fan of his videos.
Another interesting tube maker to seek out is Claude Paillard , F2FO. He made a batch of triode valves as a centinary celebration of the invention/discovery of the triode. He attempted to use as near as practicle the contemporary technology - this included making most of the "technology".

Yes, the vintage electronics part is interesting, but I find working with glass fascinating, having tried it myself (unsuccessfully, I might add). Those little movements with the torch are so critical on timing; just a few milliseconds too long and you have a disaster, just a few mseconds too short and you have a non-stick. This skill is both art and experience when it comes to successfully handling glass like that.

[cdev]

It's a super-cool fluid

[basinstreetdesign]

Yes, IMHO these people that do this are true artisans who happen to make cool useful items that can work their special brand of magic as components in the machines that are near and dear to my heart.  And they do it with techniques that can be truly dangerous if handled inexpertly.  I could not imagine attempting glass forming myself.  My hats off to them. 

[coppercone2]

i want to do this

[TerraHertz]

i want to do this

I know, right? Seeing glassblowing skill makes me so jealous.
Many years ago I was offered a ginormous glass lathe and a bunch of glassblowing gear. But I had nowhere to set up or even store the lathe, so declined. Still don't have any spare space to set up for glassblowing. This makes me sad.
But I have seriously too many projects anyway.