Experimental glass blowing for boys

by Carleton John Lynde

EXPERIMENTAL GLASS BLOWING

Boys, glass tubes are made in the sizes shown in Fig. 2, and in larger sizes. You will use sizes 2, 4, and 6 in the following experiments.

Experiment 1. Fun bending glass.

FIG. 2
SIZES OF GLASS TUBING

Hold a piece of No. 2, with both hands, in the flame of the alcohol lamp, and turn it constantly (Fig. 3). Do you find that when the glass becomes nearly red hot, it becomes soft and bends easily?

FIG. 3
HEATING GLASS TO SOFTEN IT

Take the tube out of the flame, bend it into any shape you wish (Fig. 4), and allow it to cool. Do you find that the glass hardens when it cools and retains the bent shape?

Heat the tube near the first bend, turn it constantly, take it out of the flame, and make another bend.