blowpipe

A blowpipe is a slender hollow tube through which air is directed, typically from the mouth or from a bellows, to intensify a flame or to perform operations on molten or hot materials. The term has diverse applications in crafts and science.

In glassmaking, the blowpipe is a long rod, often steel or brass, hollow to allow air to be blown through it. A glassworker gathers molten glass on the end, rolls it into a bubble, and uses breath or powered air to inflate the forming piece while shaping it.

In metalworking and metallurgy, the blowpipe can refer to a small tube connected to bellows that concentrates air into a forge or furnace, enabling higher temperatures for melting or alloying. In some contexts the blowpipe also denotes the tube itself used to deliver air directly to the flame.

In mineralogy and early chemistry, blowpipe analysis involved using a blowpipe to supply a flame to a small sample placed on charcoal for qualitative tests. The technique supported the identification of minerals and compounds before modern instrumentation.

Construction and safety considerations: Typical blowpipes are simple metal tubes with a mouthpiece; some have valves, regulation, or connections to bellows. Glassblowing variants are longer and heat-resistant. Safety concerns include inhalation of fumes, heat injury, and accidental contact with hot workpieces.