Glassblowing For Laboratory Technicians: Including Vacuum Line Accessories And Their Applications (pergamon International Library Of Science, Technology, Engin)

The foreword to my hardcover version was written in 1965 in Wellington, NZ. Perhaps New Zealand was not the epicentre of the "swinging 60's" or perhaps people there just valued good, old-fashioned common sense, but this book is like a trip back to Britain of the 19th century, where the monograph was a highly respected form of writing. This book does not attempt to get philosophical, whimsical or even overly didactic, yet it contains everything you could want to know about the basics of glass production and glassblowing for the science lab. Safety and health risks, workshop, tools, cleaning, equipment, ordering, stock control, technique, repair, design, composition and properties of the most widely-used glasses are all spelled out in a no-nonsense fashion. This is a book that would interest the dilettante who had no intention of ever placing a piece of glass rod or tube near a flame, but who simply wanted to know more about a totally fascinating process that combines science, art and craftsmanship. Anyone who has the responsibility for training lab technicians or Science students really should have access to this book. It's a complete classroom text and training course, but equally suitable for private study by individuals. Anyone leaning towards a more artistic use of glass and glassblowing, would also find the information here of tremendous use. If one were compiling an encyclopaedia, this single volume would satisfy most folks as the sole entry for "glassblowing". Glassblowing for Laboratory Technicians, Second Edition introduces the laboratory technician to the technique of glassblowing. Vacuum line accessories and their applications are described, along with the vacuum technique and interchangeable ground-glass joints. Laboratory glassworking hazards as well as intermediate and advanced glassblowing are also considered. This book is comprised of 12 chapters and opens with an overview of glass and its composition, followed by a discussion on glass tubes and rods and how they are stored. The next chapter focuses on some obvious hazards that will be encountered in glassworking, including sharp glass edges, hot glass and tools, gas and mercury, and the glassworking flame. The reader is then introduced to the laboratory workshop for glassblowing; the process of glass annealing; glass-to-metal seals; and elementary, intermediate, and advanced glassblowing. The vacuum technique is also described, along with types of pumps, vacuum gauges, and the operation of a vacuum system. The final chapter explains how a glassblowing class should be conducted. This monograph will be a useful resource for laboratory technicians and those who may be concerned with either the training of glassblowers or with glassblowing.