Fixing the glassblowing reheating furnace

My day job as the glass arts technician at the University of Texas is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling because I get to work with a wide range of fascinating tools and equipment that all rely on heat and flame to shape and transform glass. From intricate torches, to furnaces that reach intense temperatures, 2400°f , each piece of equipment is an essential part of the creative process. The constant dance between precision and heat allows our students to shape molten glass into beautiful works of art, which is both challenging and incredibly satisfying. However, every day presents maintenance challenges, especially in our learning environment. This morning I had to surgically remove with a chisel and a hammer a lot of glass that exploded into one of our brand new reheating furnaces.