Hidden in the Science Center Lab building is a fragile laboratory designed to make and repair custom glass pieces.
Matt Montgomery, glass shop manager, has worked in the shop since attending Auburn in 2003.
Ever since former glass shop manager Wendell Sandlin retired in 2011, Montgomery has maintained full control over the shop.
The glass shop produces custom pieces for professors, graduate students and undergraduate students involved in research on campus.
"Ninety percent of our work is custom work, so basically items that aren't in catalogs or whatever will fit their research," Montgomery said. "We do some catalog work for people who tell us they want a specific item and we do a lot of repair work."
Montgomery works in the shops alone, but he said he enjoys having the responsibility to maintain his work every day.
"I know what needs to be done, and I have to manage my own time, but the fun part of the job is just being down here," Montgomery said. "I have to manage the projects and make sure that I have the materials needed to complete the orders in a timely manner.
An on-campus glass shop gives the University a financial benefit for many of the individuals using the products because it eliminates shipping costs.
Anyone who wants a glass product made can charge their purchase to their Fund, Organization, Account and Program Number, which is connected to their grant money account.
"If (students are) not working with a professor and they need something, a lot of times they will pay out of pocket," Montgomery said.
The glass shop is part of the chemistry department, so it does not pay labor for the glasswork.
"Our labor rate to other departments is $25 per hour for Pyrex glass and $35 an hour for quartz glass," Montgomery said. "They'll use quartz glass for UV work or high temperature work."
Customers also save money on repairs.
"If they didn't have a glassblower on campus, they would have to buy a new [glass piece], to replace their broken glassware. Depending on the severity of the damage we can usually repair the item for significantly less than the cost of the new item," Montgomery said.
Tamara Issacs-Smith, physics research associate, gets products from the shop several times a year.
"For the most part, I can't order special- ty parts online," Issacs-Smith said. "There are several large grants that couldn't be fulfilled without (Montgomery) being available."
The shop has been running for more than 45 years and has seen both an increase and decrease in production over the years.
"Around 2007-09, especially with the bad economy, people weren't getting the grant money they normally would," Montgomery said. "They were still bringing items in, but it wasn't necessarily new work. It was more repair work and not necessarily the big jobs. Around 2011, things got a lot busier."
Although most of the products are made for scientific research, Montgomery said he was able to make artistic pieces for demonstration purposes.
"Several times a year I will perform demonstrations for prospective students and on campus organizations. We've made oil lamps for a couple of people on campus as gifts," Montgomery said.
Montgomery also created a glass cake topper for his wedding and for a friend's wedding.
Montgomery said he is most proud of the pieces that take several days to prepare and construct.
"Some of the items that I am most proud of, or enjoy doing the most, include Schlenk vacuum lines, distillation apparatus and particle spray coating chambers," Montgomery said.
Montgomery said he enjoys helping graduate students and professors.
"By providing them with custom glassware, I feel that I am somewhat a part of their research," Montgomery said. "The other aspect that I enjoy most is that each day is different. I usually have a different job to do each day and that keeps the work exciting and rewarding."
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