Hi,
I'm getting kit together to start lampworking but can't find many places in the UK selling tools like marvers and paddles etc. Is Tuffnells the only online place?
Thanks
Tony
Tuffnells is your main place. There is also Off Mandrel, who get a lot of their stock from Tuffnell's but do have some different marvers and shapers.
To be honest, if you are starting out unless you are lucky with buying second hand stuff you can't really do better than one of the Tuffnell's kits. You can ring them and get plenty of advice too.
And no, I don't work for them! :D
Quote from: Shirley on November 22, 2013, 04:34:52 PM
Tuffnells is your main place. There is also Off Mandrel, who get a lot of their stock from Tuffnell's but do have some different marvers and shapers.
To be honest, if you are starting out unless you are lucky with buying second hand stuff you can't really do better than one of the Tuffnell's kits. You can ring them and get plenty of advice too.
And no, I don't work for them! :D
LOL, and I don't either, but Tuffnells are good and very very helpful so if you aren't sure just give them a call. There is Off Mandrel who are also very helpful and there are a few smaller suppliers in the UK, but if you are new I would go to Tuffnells (or Off Mandrel) as you can get most of what you want in one place then.
Warm Glass also do quite a lot of tools etc.
Nick
useful thread with various suppliers of glass and tools etc, not all Uk based though.
http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=19701.0
there are a lot of things you can use that you may already have such as tweezers, pliers, sugar or ice tongs, sharp knives and spoons. anyything brass is good, I found a decorative set of mini brass love spoons, fork and cream skimmer of which the 2 spoons are brilliant. lots of people have old dental tools or metal modelling tools as well. you can make mandrels from 316 (or310) stainless steel welding rods. however don't skimp on proper safety glasses (you can't see what you are making without them anyway!)
Of course, we have a rather good sale on at the moment, with 15% off all our tools, along with good discounts elsewhere...
(Disclaimer: This post is presented for the purposes of information only, and does not constitute an advertisement.)
Did I get away with it? ::)
yes I think so Sean
Sean: Loved your orchid at the SGS show.
Thank you! Very kind...
Bit chilly though, eh!
Quote from: flame n fuse on November 22, 2013, 10:12:45 PM
Sean: Loved your orchid at the SGS show.
Oooo, can we see a picture? Please?
Nick
Quote from: Hamilton Taylor on November 22, 2013, 07:44:08 PM
Of course, we have a rather good sale on at the moment, with 15% off all our tools, along with good discounts elsewhere...
(Disclaimer: This post is presented for the purposes of information only, and does not constitute an advertisement.)
Did I get away with it? ::)
Of course you did, and you should have remembered to tell us here as well: http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=32.0
yes Sean, perishing cold, though impressive venue!
Quote from: Hamilton Taylor on November 22, 2013, 07:44:08 PM
Of course, we have a rather good sale on at the moment, with 15% off all our tools, along with good discounts elsewhere...
(Disclaimer: This post is presented for the purposes of information only, and does not constitute an advertisement.)
Did I get away with it? ::)
LOL :) :)
Quote from: Nicknack on November 22, 2013, 11:28:53 PM
Quote from: flame n fuse on November 22, 2013, 10:12:45 PM
Sean: Loved your orchid at the SGS show.
Oooo, can we see a picture? Please?
Nick
Hi Nick, thanks for your interest!
It's on the Hamilton Taylor facebook photostream, which hopefully you can get to by clicking this Clicky (https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonTaylorStudio/photos_stream). There's pics of other stuff there, too. If you can't get to it for any reason, let me know, and I think it's on my flickr as well, somewhere...
Sean
Thanks Sean, that's a lovely Paph! Did you come to the Malvern Three Counties Show to see the orchids? I think Fiona said you were there, but, as I haven't met you, I couldn't spot you, even with her description. I'll be there next year, and would love to meet you if you come down again.
The Gloriosa is brilliant, too - really delicate and very lifelike!
Nick
Yep, I was there - buying paphs. ;)
Not really very experienced with orchids, but I need to copy from life, as I have a great deal of trouble translating from 2d to 3d.
Not sure how its going tbh - they all seem to be sulking just now, although I have a nice spike on a brassia I have on my bedroom windowsill. Just waiting for flowers...
PS Tony, sorry to take your thread so off-topic ::)
Sean
Quote from: Hamilton Taylor on November 23, 2013, 10:21:17 PM
Yep, I was there - buying paphs. ;)
Not really very experienced with orchids, but I need to copy from life, as I have a great deal of trouble translating from 2d to 3d.
Not sure how its going tbh - they all seem to be sulking just now, although I have a nice spike on a brassia I have on my bedroom windowsill. Just waiting for flowers...
PS Tony, sorry to take your thread so off-topic ::)
Sean
Yes, sorry, Tony! I'll pm you, Sean, to talk orchids.
Nick
I have kitted out my studio over the last 12 months or so, with secondhand tools; from this site, gumtree, and ebay. If you don't have money, you need patience....keep looking and everything you need will turn up in time.
The tip about improvisation is a good one, too.
Good luck!
Many thanks for the great advice. Have bought ssome stuff and will look at kitchen shops for tongs etc. Tony
;-)in germany we have a saying like: other mothers do have nice daughters, too!
Best regards
Graphitegirl