.

Sorry, I can’t advise on the relative strength of various bulbs …

but I must say what a lovely detail that is.

MichaelG.

Been riding bikes since classics were available new on the showroom floor and never come across any special motorcycle-specific high-strength bulbs. As far as I know they are the same bulbs used in cars. The one exception might be Philips Motobulb halogen headlight bulbs but they are made a more visible colour, not stronger glass, and totally wrong shape for you anyway.

It might be possible that old Lucas and similar bulbs from the days of yore were made of thicker or stronger glass than today's more cost-saving conscious models. And there might be a difference between brands of modern bulbs between the higher and lower ends of the market, or there might not!

I wonder if small 240 volt bulbs from older industrial control panels and the like might be thicker and stronger glass than 12 volt automotive stuff?

Edited By Hopper on 21/02/2021 11:54:25

I just looked at that link and spotted what might be a good shape on another advert.

Have a look at :

DIY Globe Glass Bottle Pendant 25mm 30mm with Bronze Base Memory Locket Wide Mouth

Item: 142763588344

Colin

I think that glassblowers 'flame' the cut ends to stop cracks. If/when you find out how to do it et us know, it would be good for boiler gauge glasses

Saving glass isn't the goal. In filament bulbs the glass envelope is made as thin as it can be to let light and heat out. A cheap bulb might be thicker, but I've never noticed a difference. Not looked for it though!

Although a light bulb might be the right size and shape to make an oiler, I think the glass will be difficult to work – the bulbs are thin, fragile and heat resistant.

The original oiler will have been made with cheap soda glass which has a low melting point. Easily blown thick skinned into a mould in a glass works and then hot shaped on a mandrel and trimmed with shears. Can also be cut cold with a diamond or ground. Dirt cheap – if you own a glassworks and want a few hundred!

I'd be tempted to try some basic laboratory glass blowing using Soda Glass Tube and a blowlamp. Made a somewhat undersized and lopsided thistle funnel with a bunsen burner and round-nosed pliers at school. The pliers were used mainly to shape the top, not for cutting – almost any similar tool would do as a mandrel. Wasn't difficult to blow 15mm diameter bubbles in soda glass tubing by mouth, though I had more puff aged 14! I think I could have done better with practice.

Be a little careful buying the glass – I see most modern lab glass is Borosilicate, i.e. Pyrex. Not tried it, but It's tougher and needs a lot more heat than Soda Glass. Good stuff no doubt but I suspect it's much harder to work with.

Dave

All university chemistry departments used to have a glass blower, and many may still have one. They are real artists and can work glass tube into wonderful things, sometimes to meet someone's need and sometimes just for fun. If you can find one they would make you a suitable bulb for interest or beer money.

Rod

If it's any help, these people sell glass tubing etc.

Tuffnel Glass

Just found them on Youtube too.

Video

They used to be a in an industrial unit near me, making gifts, teaching classes and making fancy laboratory glass specials, nice people.

A video on blowing a glass bubble here.

Rob

Hi Brian,

Perhaps if you get into glass blowing you could start making Klein Bottles!

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Klein_bottle .

Care should be taken when blowing, that moisture does not condense on the inside of the tube as it can cause the glass to fracture.

Regards,

Nimble Neil