For beginning glassblowers one of the most awkward moments is sitting down at the bench with molten glass on a punti or blowpipe. You have to learn the proper way to do this safely so that you don't accidentally grab the hot part of the rod.

This demo shows the safest way to sit down and stand up at the glassworkers bench. This method—called the door or gate method—is also good for maintaining control of the glass during this moment. Since this is not a natural movement all beginning glassblowers should practice this method with a COLD punti rod or blowpipe until the process becomes habit. The faster and smoother you can sit down, the hotter the glass will be and the more work you can get done at the bench.