building a scientific glass lab

[muff!n_m@n]

our team's got a big idea we're trying to pitch to the investors!

We're thinking of building an in house scientific glass lab right here in our warehouse.

The main goal is to handle all our extraction lab glassware fabrication and repairs internally, which would be super efficient.

The extra bonus is we'd hire a couple of scientific glass artists, let them set up and run the lab, handle our needs, and then let them make their own art (which we could even sell).

can anyone help with the rough estimate on what it would cost to build a fully capable scientific glass lab setup for 1-2 people?

We're talking all the equipment, plus ancillary, electrical, and HVAC. We're not looking for detailed lists, just trying to get a ballpark figure

is $50k or $100k enough for increments of both brand new and mostly secondhand setups? This isn't our usual wheelhouse, so any rough numbers would be a huge help!

 

[donnalyn.b]

Well if you're aiming for just a basic setup with mostly secondhand gear, $50k could get you there already. If you're aiming for brand-new equipment and better HVAC, then you might spend close to 100k or something.

 

[Crosser]

$50K might barely scratch the surface if you're aiming for a truly capable, safe, and compliant scientific glass lab even with secondhand gear. Realistically, you're closer to $100K–$150K, especially once you factor in proper ventilation, torches, lathes, annealers, safety systems, and build-out costs.

That said, letting artists do dual-purpose work could be your smartest ROI move

 

[Aunt Wu]

Spending $100k on a scientific glass lab without firsthand glassblowing experience sounds less like smart investment and more like burning cash on a vanity project dressed up as innovation