Changed my tune on hand pumps for glory holes after a studio visit
I always thought hand pumps for glory holes were a waste of time, just more gear to fuss with. My buddy let me watch her work, and her pieces came out so smooth. She explained how the pump gives you tiny heat changes you can't get otherwise. I tried it on a basic cup I was making, and the glass heated evenly all over. No more weak spots or cracks from uneven temps. Now I pump by hand for every piece, and my stuff looks way better. It took a few tries to get the feel, but it's worth it. I guess I was too stubborn to see the obvious fix.