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![]() Home Page --> Tutorial Lesson 15, Repairs
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Tutorial Lesson 15, Repairs | |
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Lesson 14 (Sealing Ampules) |
Lesson 16 (Ring Seals - Advanced Topic) |
Repairs to scientific glassware should be attempted with caution. Assuming the glassware was broken in use, or has been used in the laboratory at some point in time, it would be wise to assume the glass has some chemical residue on or in it.
Do not attempt to repair any glass until it has been cleaned to your satisfaction. Many glassblowers as policy will not accept glassware for repair until the user has cleaned the glass of all chemical and grease residue. Remember, as you heat the glass any outgassing that occurs is deposited directly into your mouth via the blowhose assembly.
See Ways to endear yourself to your local glassblower in the Glassware Gallery for more on this topic.
While components of more complex items may not repairable, components can often be replaced. For example, a crack that goes through a standard taper joint can not be fixed, but the glassblower can normally remove the joint by cutting it off and then butt sealing a new one on. The same goes for high vacuum stopcocks.
All repaired pieces must be fully annealed before being returned to service. Remember, a glass project is never "done" until the piece has been annealed.
One can minimize the need for repairs through better glass design. For example, if a piece of a complex glass manifold system is likely to experience torque, then glass bracing or clamping to an external support can help minimize the chance of breakage.
Consider the awe-inspiring 15-foot long vacuum manifold pictured to the right. Repairing something on this manifold would be a nightmare (or a fun challenge, depending on your skill level), so every piece on it is designed with structural integrity in mind!
Tutorial Lesson 15, Repairs | |
---|---|
Lesson 14 (Sealing Ampules) |
Lesson 16 (Ring Seals - Advanced Topic) |
Disclaimer: Glassblowing has inherent hazards that can result in burns, cuts, injuries or even death. While every effort has been made to convey best safety practices, the materials presented herein can not anticipate every possible risk or hazard associated with a given glassblowing activity. The reader is responsibile for assessing and mitigating any and all such hazards or risks before commencing any activity connected with his or her use of these materials. Neither the author nor ILPI assumes responsibility or liability for injuries, losses, claims or damages to the reader or other parties that may result from the use or misuse of these materials.
by Joe Walas and/or ILPI, all rights reserved unless otherwise stated. Unauthorized duplication or posting on other web sites is expressly prohibited. Send suggestions and comments (include the URL if applicable) to us by email.