Okay, here is my story about finding a glass furnace for sale.
I’ve been wanting to get into glassblowing for a while now, it’s just something that really gets me excited. I’ve watched a bunch of videos and read a few books, but you know, actually doing it is a whole different thing. So, the first big hurdle? Getting a furnace. Those things are not exactly cheap, and they’re not something you can just pick up at the local hardware store, you know?
First, I started poking around online. I figured there had to be some used ones out there. I mean, people upgrade their equipment, right? Or maybe someone tried it and decided it wasn’t for them. I checked out a bunch of different websites, some of them looked pretty sketchy, to be honest. Then I saw some about Chinese products and the ability to customize it. But it didn’t feel reliable.
I spent a few days digging around, and it was kind of a mixed bag. I found a couple of forums where people were talking about their setups, but no one was really selling anything at that time. I even tried looking at a famous second-hand goods website. I’m not saying names, but let’s just say it rhymes with “flea-bay” There were a few options, but they were either way too expensive or looked like they were about to fall apart. There are also some commercial large-scale glass furnaces, but that’s not what I wanted. I want a small glass kiln for my home or small workshop use. It’s just that I felt like I was going in circles, it was a bit frustrating, to be honest.
Then I decided to try a different approach. I remembered there’s this website that specializes in industrial machinery, and they have a whole section for used equipment. It’s called IBAMachinery or something. Bingo! I found a few listings that looked promising. They had pictures and descriptions, and some of them were even in my general area, which was a huge plus because shipping one of those things would be a nightmare, not to mention expensive.
I reached out to a couple of sellers and asked a bunch of questions. You know, things like how old it was, what kind of condition it was in, and if they had any maintenance records. One guy was super helpful and sent me a video of the furnace in action. It looked pretty good, and he seemed like he knew what he was talking about.
After a bit of back and forth, we agreed on a price, and I went to check it out in person. It was a bit of a drive, but it was worth it. The furnace was in even better shape than I expected. We chatted for a while, and he gave me some tips on getting started. It was a really good experience overall.
So, now I’ve got a glass furnace sitting in my garage, and I’m super excited to get it all set up and start melting some glass! It’s been a bit of a journey, but I’m glad I stuck with it. You can really find great deals if you’re patient and willing to do some research. This was just one of those big life things that I’ve always wanted to try. I’m not sure if I’ll be any good at it, but I’m definitely going to give it my best shot!
Here’s what I learned from this whole experience:
- Don’t give up easily. It might take some time to find what you’re looking for.
- Check out specialized websites. They can be a goldmine for used equipment.
- Ask lots of questions. Don’t be afraid to get all the information you need.
- See it in person if possible. Pictures can only tell you so much.
- Just talking to someone who has a lot of experience can help a lot. It’s fun to talk to people who know what they’re doing.
Alright, that’s my story. Hopefully, it’s helpful to someone out there who’s looking for a glass furnace or any other kind of specialized equipment. It can be a process, but don’t lose hope. Your perfect furnace, or whatever you’re looking for, might be just around the corner.
