Experimental glass blowing for boys

by Carleton John Lynde

FIG. 42
A DRINKING TUBE

Make the bend as follows: Heat a piece of No. 2 tube about 2 inches from one end in the lamp flame, turn it constantly and move it back and forth endwise to heat a length of about 2½ inches. When soft, take the tube out of the flame, and bend the ends upward until the angle is 90°.

If the bend is flat on the inside or outside, close one end of the tube in the blowpipe flame, smooth the other end and allow them to cool, then heat the flat side of the bend in the blowpipe flame and blow it out slightly. This makes the diameter of the tube at the bend equal to that of the remainder of the tube. Cut off the closed end, smooth the edge, and your bend is complete.

Make bends with No. 4 tube.

FIG. 43
A SIPHON

Experiment 30. To make a drinking tube.

Many times when there is sickness in the house, it is convenient to have a glass drinking tube (Fig. 42), through which the patient can drink without raising his head.

Make such a tube from a piece of No. 4 tubing. The short arm is equal in length to the depth of the tumbler; the long arm, or mouthpiece, is about 1 inch longer than this.