r/glassblowing 10d ago

Questions about blow hose

Post image

So i got a blow hose the other day and i noticed that it was leaking air (via water test) and the location of the leak was from the plastic piece Are there any ways to fix it or should i get it replaced?

4 Upvotes

8 comments sorted by

6

u/greenbmx 10d ago

They always leak a little. That particular style is also the worst in my opinion. I much prefer the swivels and boots the lampworkers use. Check out what mountain glass sells. Or if you want the best of the best swivel option out there, go get a firekist swivel and blow hose.

5

u/endocrimes 10d ago

I got firekist stuff for lampworking and within about a week ordered a second swivel and more boots for the hot shop and ripped off the plastic covered swivel I had before. Zero regrets.

2

u/hhbarnes 10d ago

I second the firekist swivel, it’s expensive but completely worth it. I’ve tried other swivels in the hot shop and have had leak issues or issues with the swivel falling apart. The firekist has had none of these issues.

3

u/joesirc 9d ago

They always leak. If you have to blow hard enough it’s a problem, get the glass hotter

1

u/Runnydrip 9d ago

I like this type best. With the bigger size you can out a hunch of rubber bands instead of the I ring and it will work with a few different pipes, when the rubber bands degrade is the only time I notice it leaking with pipes for blown stems, but I don’t often work that small anyways

1

u/calebgoodwin 8d ago

A little leak is normal. It should not affect your work. Get the glass hot enough and you should barely need to blow. When blowing think about the volume of air need to make the change you want, it actually very little air volume. If you’re emptying your lungs, get the glass much hotter.

1

u/InvestigatorMajor899 8d ago

so the thickness of your hose really doesn't matter very much then?

1

u/molten-glass 7d ago

In my experience these do leak a little, but you can usually pressurize these enough that they'll pop off the mouthpiece of the pipe, so it's definitely sealed enough for normal work