Basic Items for Glassblowing Beginners

Posted by Editor on Aug 26th, 2019 in Hobbies, Lifestyle | 0 comments

Glassblowing sounds like an exotic hobby, but you’ll be surprised to know that a lot of artists have become engrossed in this activity once they have tried it. It’s an expensive hobby, but it’s also a great idea to start a business once you have mastered the techniques and if you want a return of your investment.

While it’s not going to be easy getting all the items listed below, experts of this craft will tell you not to be cheap when it comes to buying equipment, because you’ll end up saving more money in the long run.

So, what items will you need to set up your own glassblowing studio at home?

Beginner’s Items

Some craft shops sell glassblowing starter kits that will let you save more money. Some of the kits will contain the basic items, but it will also depend on the materials you’re planning to work on. You will also need a studio for this because it’s a hazardous activity, so unless you have a vacant, well-ventilated space outside your home, this hobby may not be for you.

• Torch. Most experts will advise you to start with small torches that are affordable, but bigger torches can usually do more.
• Kiln. The size of the kiln will depend on the type of materials you want to work with and the kind of projects you have in mind. Try to find used kilns so you can save money, instead of buying brand-new kilns. Glassblowing generally uses three types of furnaces such as the furnace, glory hole, and the annealer.
• Propane, Oxygen, and Regulators. You can either start with an air propane torch or an oxygen propane torch depending on your budget and materials. The regulator on the other hand, is used to regulate the pressures in both the tank and delivery.

Other basic items used are the following: gas hose, ventilation hood, hose clamps, flashback arrestors, glasses, sparker or lighter, tube and rod, grabber or claw, blowpipe, marver, bench, punty, paddles, jacks, tweezers, shears, blocks, and newpaper pads. The basic sizes for tubing and rod are between 19 mm to 38 mm, but you should start with smaller sizes from 5 or 6 mm while you’re still practicing.

Glassblowing Techniques

To determine the types of tools you will need, you need to know about the different ways of working with glass; such as cold working, glass casting, fused glass, stained glass, lamp working, hot glass, and annealing. For each of these techniques, you will need specific items, so you have to decide which one you want to start with. There are different types of glass used as well, but the most common are the borosilicate or hard glass and the soda-lime or soft glass.

Tips for Caring for Your Gaming Consoles

Posted by Editor on Jul 11th, 2019 in Hobbies | 0 comments

Collecting retro and new consoles can be an expensive hobby to maintain but is also very rewarding if you want your children to continue your passion or if you decide to eventually sell them to another collector. While most consoles are durable and built to last for years of gaming, they can be susceptible to problems like all electronic gadgets.

Here are a few things to remember to always keep them in tip-top shape.

• Keep the boxes. Do not throw away the box your consoles came in because you can use them to transport your systems or store them safely. If you don’t like the sight of the boxes, store them in a cabinet along with the others.
• Keep the consoles clean. You do not need to take apart the consoles to clean them if you have no experience with electronics. The best thing to do to maintain cleanliness is to use a can of compressed air to spray into the vents. You could open the consoles to clean the hardware, but it will probably void your warranty, so do it only if it is necessary.
• Consoles should be placed in a cool area. You should never let it get too hot when you are using a console. You can purchase entertainment stands with open fronts and backs that will allow good air circulation. If you are planning to set up a gaming room, do it in an air-conditioned room because it can get warm during hot days in Singapore.

• Keep them dry. Do not place them in areas that generate cold or moisture as well. Moisture can short out the circuits and even cause electrical fire.
• Keep them away from sunlight and heat. Do not place your consoles in areas near windows or doors where sunlight can get through. Do not place them near other appliances as well because the heat they generate will break down the hardware faster. Keep the room cool, but not dry. Install thick curtains on windows to reduce the heat coming from the sunlight and install an air conditioner system and humidifier.

• Don’t place them in items that absorb heat. Cushions and carpets are bad for your electronics, so do not place any cloth or plastic under or near the consoles. Pick a table or stand that is made from wood, stone or metal.
• Be gentle when cleaning. Do not use water to clean your electronics. If you need to wipe the case, use an anti-static duster for easier cleaning. If you want to use a cleaning fluid made for electronics, do not spray it directly on the console. Instead, spray it on the rag to moisten it then wipe the rag on the console. Avoid touching the sensitive parts like the lens.

Organize the wiring. Knotted wires can cause problems. They are also more difficult to clean. To make your life easier, tie them up together with cable ties. If you want to store the wires, do not fold them up; instead, lay them out flat in a lidded container.

Some Things to Consider When Getting a Bike (Especially if it’s Your First)

Posted by Editor on Aug 8th, 2018 in Hobbies | 0 comments

Bicycles have come a long way, with improvements ranging from carbon fiber frames to suspensions and even folding bikes. Over the years, even entry-level bikes have become a great option even for professionals to use at Tour de France-level events.

Today, getting a bike is so easy, and most of the time you don’t even have to spend a lot of money just to get your hands on a dependable one that will last you a long time. Here are some things to think about when getting a bike:

1. How much can you afford?
When it comes to buying a bike, it’s important to have a budget and stick to it – but don’t stick to it too tightly. It’s important to have a little extra legroom in your budget to spend on things like a tire pump, replacement brakes, or even spare tires and rims.

You should also keep in mind that several components such as gears wear out over time. If you plan on using it a lot or for rough treks over long distances, you might want to invest in parts that will last longer than average ones. A helmet is also a good investment.

2. What do you intend to use it for?
Are you looking for something to use for extreme sports? Or do you need it to go to work every morning? A short afternoon cruise, or a long-distance trek? Perhaps you’re looking at a bike as a way of doing exercise, or even all of the above.

In that case, you don’t have to worry about the names – manufacturers are getting better at making bikes for people who want more than just one thing from it. When it comes to modern models, even a regular hybrid frame can be customized into a mountain or a road bike.

3. Where will you be riding it?
Think about the terrain that you will be riding your bike on. If it’s rough and uphill, you might want to get one with at least three speeds. However, if you’re riding on smooth paved road, you’re fine with just one (mind the tire treads in case it rains, though).

Don’t stress yourself out over special features. You might need tubeless tires and a Di2 if you prefer your roads mountainous and with thorn bushes, but if you need a general-purpose bike, you can simply stick with the basics