Taming Lightning

Welcome back or welcome to the Taming Lightning Podcast, I'm Percy Echols II. I'm the creator and host of Taming Lightning, as well as emerging Plasma Tech at Pittsburgh Glass Center, where I'm researching and developing a space for exploring Plasma and Neon Light. Taming Lightning Podcast is a series of conversations to help expand our understanding of Plasma and Neon Light - looking beyond it's associations with novelty and sign making, and to explore the potential for Noble Gases as an artistic medium with each guest sharing their unique knowledge and experience.

EP 62: Bright Ideas: Balancing Art and Career with Jacob Willcox 11/21/2024

61: Exploring Light and Ephemeral Art with Alexander Groves of Studio Swine 09/19/2024

EP 60 - Neon Primer with Kacie Lees 05/23/2024

EP 59: Neon Insights: Alta Robbins' Valve Innovations with Greg Wilson 04/25/2024

EP 59: Neon Insights: Alta Robbins' Valve Innovations with Greg Wilson Blog: Instagram Support on Hello lightning Tamers this is episode number 59. And in today's podcast,, I'll be joined by Greg Wilson, the President of Alta Robbins, a leading provider of precision engineering solutions, known for their high quality valves. With a wealth of knowledge in valve engineering and a deep understanding of the needs of the neon industry, Greg is here to share his insights and expertise with us. Get ready for a deep dive into Alta Robbins valves, where we will learn Alta Robbins connection to Neon while understanding the intricacies one of the most important parts on your neon gas system. This include company history, choice of valve, troubleshooting and repair questions. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out in the world of neon and plasma, this episode promises to be enlightening and informative. For our Patreon subscribers a transcript will be available for this episode! If your not yet a patreon member, you can sign up for 7-day trial with access to additional Taming Lightning content. Welcome to Podcast Greg Wilson! Time Stamps [2:03] What is Alta Robbins and where did it begin? [9:47] What interested you to work in this company or work for your father? [13:42] Is there any sort of advantage[difference] between the 1/4npt and 1/8npt port sizes for the valves? [15:39] Discuss the significance / difference between Brass and Stainless-Steel valve bodies. [17:26] Considerations when using fittings on Alta Robbins [20:39] On the website, one the defining features of Alta Robbins is the following statement "The Difference is in the Seat" Could you help me and the audience understand why that is so important to the design? [26:21] How does Alta Robbins ensure the reliability and durability of its valves in both high-vacuum and high-pressure environments? What is the 4-to-1 safety factor? [29:25] One of the qualities that I adamire is that Alta Robbins Valves are simple to service. When is it recommended to replace individual parts of a valve versus replacing the entire unit to maintain optimal performance? [34:51] Troubleshooting or explaination for the feeling like having to make more turns on the valve before seeing the metering of gas. [37:58] Greg elaborates on a built in safety feature that better explains why it takes more that one turn before opening the valve. [41:41] There's an arrow on the outside of the valve, and the question that you have been asked before was like, does it matter the direction of that valve in its use? [45:40] Soft Goods Kit vs Bonnet Assembly, when do you replace parts and when to buy a new valve? [49:50] What is Alta Robbins thoughts on partnering with Taming Lightning? [52:13] A fun fact from Greg Wilson and his thoughts on and service to neon. /episode/index/show/taminglightning/id/30814953

EP 58: Neon Glo with Adam Smo 02/22/2024

EP 57: Kiln-formed Glass and Plasma with Mark Ditzler 01/26/2024

EP 56: A Conversation on Conservation with Suzanne Hargrove of the Toledo Museum of Art 12/21/2023

EP 55: Under Vacuum with Angie McHale ft. Pat Gadzinski 12/16/2023

EP 54: A Glowing Potential with Kate Herron 10/26/2023

EP 53: From Furnace to Flame - Pulling Neon Tubes with Ethan Samaha ft. Zach Layhew 08/24/2023

EP 52: Emerging Light and Space Artist, Ethan Samaha 07/20/2023

EP 51: Moore Tubes with Wayne Strattman 11/17/2022

EP 50: Light in Transmission: On curating and Critique with Vicky Clark 11/03/2022

EP 49: Glass Quarterly no.163 - LIT Review by Vicky A. Clark 10/27/2022

EP 48: Return to Taming Lightning 10/24/2022

2022 Hiatus - July to October 07/02/2022

EP 47: Thomas Zickuhr & Neon Lab 05/12/2022

Ep 46: Ben Orozco - Neon as Systems Building 04/21/2022

EP 45: Plasma Design with Amy Lemaire 04/07/2022

EP 44: David Svenson - Path of Light from Alaskan skies to the Neon Shop 02/28/2022

Ep 43: In the form of neon with Marta Beltowska 12/31/2021

EP 42: Harry 2.0 - Lights, Glass, and Phosphors 11/18/2021

EP 41: Neon Crash Course with Nikki Lau 11/04/2021

EP 41: Neon Crash Course with Nikki Lau ig: Nikki Lau ig: Hello Lightning Tamers! In today's podcast, I'll be joined by Ceramic Artist Nikki Lau to talk about her recent residency at the Pittsburgh Glass Center with Crash Course in Neon as a participant in the upcoming exhibition Full Spectrum: Visionaries Elevating Art Craft, and Design and will be opening February 4th, 2022. The exhibition showcases visionary makers of color from around the country who are producing extraordinary craft objects, while illustrating the vast number of pathways to a successful and meaningful career. Preview - Retro by The opening theme - Taming Lightning by Patreon - Next Time by PGC promo - Mixtape by Credits - Walking by I hope you enjoyed the podcast. This was one of my first experiences facilitating part of the residency. Though when I look back at it, it really isn’t so very different than being an artist assistant or TA. But what was really new was facilitating neon which, from my recent conversations since this recording has led to me believing their much work ahead of me for a full in-studio experience. I would say Frustrating and Fun are the best way to describe working with glass, especially such skillful processes like neon bending. While I fell in love with plasma first, I’m starting to find a very strong interest in neon thanks to Nikki Lau nudge for Neon in her proposal and the well-appreciated guidance and teaching of Tim Tackacs. Speaking of Tim, you can learn about him is his journey in neon on the podcast in episode 28: American Classic Neons with Tim Takacs. ( links in the show notes above) Thank you Nikki Lau for the conversation and respect to your jumping hands first into the fires! I hope this experience has helped nudge you into the possibilities of using neon in your future works, even if your hand isn’t the one bending. I'd like to thank Pittsburgh Glass Center for supporting me as a place of research and inspiration. Plasma Art Alliance where I have access to the well of knowledge and connects me to some amazing and supportive people. Feel free to share, comment, and subscribe. As always Be Safe, Be Healthy, and Be Strong, and I’ll See you next time! /episode/index/show/taminglightning/id/20992025

EP 40: Glass Focus 1990 Interview of Paul Seide, ft. Zach Layhew 09/02/2021

EP 39: Michael Flechtner - Drawing with Light 06/17/2021

EP 38: Wayne Strattman - Standing on the Shoulders of our Predecessors 05/20/2021

EP 37: Intro to Plasma | Chapter 4: Starting your Plasma Journey 04/15/2021

EP 37: Intro to Plasma | Chapter 4: Starting your Plasma Journey April 2021 | In the final chapter of this collaborative series, Percy Echols II discusses his journey to become an independent plasma maker, strategies for assembling a gas-filling manifold, and thoughts on accessibility, education, and advancing the field of plasma and glass. Created and hosted by Percy, the Taming Lightning podcast unpacks the alchemy of plasma and neon technology while interviewing glass artists, craftspeople, and scientists in the field. Welcome back, lightning tamers! In this collaboration with GEEX, Percy and Ben Orozco are producing a 4-part series for people new to the plasma process, introducing elements of plasma in an easy-to-apply format and touching on Percy’s journey as a self-starter and alchemist. Podcast episodes premiere monthly through April. FOOTNOTES Want the show notes? Click here: https://www.geex.glass/resources/taminglightning-podcast/ READY FOR MORE? Excited to learn more about plasma? Check out Taming Lightning: SUPPORT We’re hoping one hundred listeners can chip in $7/episode. Support Taming Lightning’s production and compensate valued voices in the field of glass education! Fundraiser ends May 15th, 2021. Venmo @geexglass your support with the word “PLASMA”. LINKS Follow @GEEXglass! Web: https://www.geex.glass/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/geexglass/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/geexglass/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/geexglass/ Follow Percy, AKA @TamingLighting! Web: http://www.percyechols.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xhtRabhnRdEOhpZ1P39WV IG: https://www.instagram.com/taminglightning/ FB: ____ MUSIC CREDITS Preview: Retro by ONE Fundraiser: Serenity, produced by Riddiman Introduction: Boost by Joakim Karud Global Rare Gases: Mixtape, produced by Riddiman GEEX Intermission: Sunnyside by One Information Unlimited: Reentry by Lapse Swagelok: Lucky, produced by OBI Credits: The Process by Lakey Inspired /episode/index/show/taminglightning/id/18737639

EP 36: Intro to Plasma | Chapter 3: Chemistry of Collaboration 02/19/2021

EP 35 : Rusty Russo - Neon in Excellence 01/21/2021

EP 35 : Rusty Russo - Neon in Excellence In today's podcast, I have Rusty Russo, who has been working and developing his skills in the area of Illuminated Glass Tubing for over 30 years in which he’s acquired an expert level proficiency in glass fabrication, vacuum tube processing, system design, and construction, leak detection, technical support, packaging design, and technical writing. He’s also a Senior R+D Glass Blower for a Boston-based start-up specializing in energy-efficient inductively coupled soda-lime light bulbs. From his beginning as a neon bender, he’s worked as a technical consultant for The EGL Co., a columnist for Signs of the Times Magazine, demonstrating artist and technical assistant for The Glass Art Society, and assistant instructor/visiting artist for various education facilities such as the Pittsburgh Glass Center, Penland School of Craft and Urban Glass. Additionally A recognized industry authority on all phases of neon vacuum tube production. Having served as Co-Chairman of the ISA Research and Standards Committee on Neon Processing, where he co-created an internationally recognized standard for the processing of neon tubing. This provided a practical, teachable, repeatable solution to what had been a historically random intuitive process. He currently works as a freelance technical consultant, and glass artist, conceptualizing and creating 3-dimensional sculpture using glass, light, and mixed media. I met Mr. Russo in the summer of 2018 during the Pittsburgh Glass Center’s first Plasma Workshop taught by Wayne Strattman and Mundy Hepburn where he assisted alongside Ander Mikkelsen. In the chaos of that class, Rusty was a grounding tether to the complexities of plasma and neon, someone who was very comfortable with meeting you at your level. He’s been such a great source of information and support in regards to troubleshooting and identifying components in the manifold, and helped provided confidence and guidance in my career development in technical consultation on several jobs. Like many of the guests on this podcast, Rusty has a rich history and knowledge, and we barely scratch the surface of who Rusty is. Treat this as it is, an introduction, he’ll talk about the origins of his interest in neon, the influence of music and martial art on his practice and teaching philosophy, and his drive toward excellence through repetition, self-examination, and refinement. Episode Show Notes Music: Intro: Boost by Intermission: Sunnyside by Outro: The Process by /episode/index/show/taminglightning/id/17476958

EP 34: Tristan August - Plasma & Konstruktiv 12/30/2020

Taming Lightning

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