I am thinking about getting an oxygen converter (probably one of the reconditioned ones from Martin at Tuffnell Glass) so I can go dual fuel. Are they noisy when they are running? I don't want to be too much of a nuisance to my neighbours when I am in my shed (having said that, the Hot Head and my fan doesn't seem to bother them so as long as it's quieter than they are ...!)
Are there any important issues to consider when purchasing one?
After using the HH its quiet and cheaper than oxygen.
Dianne
Hi - I've never used a hothead but I love my oxycon. I bought mine from Martin and have had no problems whatever - had it for about two years and I bet it's well paid for itself v. cylinder oxygen - not to mention convenience. It just sits in the corner and 'sighs' - only way to describe it really. If you have your fan or extractor going you won't notice the oxycon. - would recommend.
Diane x
I think the word "sighs" is a perfect description of the sound, it's gentle and rythmic, quite soothing. I use two, and I don't find the sound intrusive at all. One thing to be aware of, they do produce some heat. In a well ventilated room it wouldn't be an issue, but in summer I run a little floor fan in my studio to help keep things cool.
I made the transition from HotHead to minor in about ten minutes, after the HH racket it was just heaven.
Mine chugs, but you don't notice it after a while and I can't hear it outside the pigsty either.
I have just bought my second one, plus a new torch.... sorry to be a show off, but it's the new cheetah, you need two for that baby...
The one that I have, and have used for over three years now is quiet, I've never gone down the oxy bottle root, after readying the do's and dont's I got frightend off and went straight for the oxy con. Never looked back, they are a god send to cowards like me, and noise wise, no, it's not noticeable, my music is louder!!
Sandy ;)
After the Hothead, life with an oxycon is quiet... very quiet... the problems are being able to hear the kids again!
I've got 2 - one sighs and rumbles a bit, the other sighs and rattles a bit - but both together still quieter that a HH. ;D
the average footie crown is quieter than a hot head!... shoots, ducks, runs for his life chased by sarah hornik!... ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: glassworks on April 25, 2008, 09:13:26 PM
the average footie crown is quieter than a hot head!... shoots, ducks, runs for his life chased by sarah hornik!... ;D ;D ;D ;D
You haven't heard Delia Smith at Norwich City, then, Q :D
My oxycons think they are the spice girls
chugga chug AHhhhh
It is quite a nice noise I think, and I am easily irked by noises of all kinds.
Mind you, I don't actually have my oxycons in the shed with me, so it could be I did used to get annoyed and just forgot.
Emma
Brilliant!!!!! ;D I got through loads and loads of oxy tanks within the first few weeks of beading and had to do something about the costs. My oxy con is the best thing I ever bought and has paid for itself 100 times over.
It beeps when you turn it on for a few seconds and then gently humms to itself. I make my beads with tourists watching and asking questions(stupid ones like 'excuse me, do you work here ::) and are you busy >:() and the noise is so quiet that no one ever knows it's there.
You will never regret buying one :)
Excellent, thank you all very much for your info and for making me laugh with your replies - I will definitely be getting one very soon! This is all very reassuring. :) :) :)
I just ordered one of Tuffnell's refurbished oxycons, Martin says it's in stock, we've arrange delivery on Thursday cos I'm definitely in all day and so can wait for it. Also ordered some new-to-me colours of glass, some double helix frit (also not used before), a dual fuel torch (gone for the Carlisle Mini CC) and an optic mold (also not used one before).
Can't wait, I am all excited now, but my bank account took a bit of bashing ...! :)
Congratulations, Sue!! ;D
It all arrived just before lunchtime today, I got it all set up and working by mid-afternoon and even managed to get an hour on it with my new torch. I had a bit of trouble crimping the propane hose onto the torch because I'm not quite strong enough - I had the contents of DH's toolbox scattered all over the floor trying to find something that didn't need too much ooomph to get it to fit tightly. Managed it in the end, just about stopped myself from demanding DH come home from work right now to do it for me!
The propane flame surprised me by how big it was when I first lit it.
Shhhhhhhh ... it's sooooooooo quiet in my shed now!!!
I know exactly what Diana means when she says it "sighs", I'm glad I was aware it did that before I turned it on else I might have worried so thanks again everyone :-)
Wail! :-\
My refurbished oxygen concentrator keeps stopping on me. I rang Martin who made some suggestions to try but they haven't worked so it's replacement will arrive on Wednesday. I don't want to reconnect up my hothead to the propane as it blimmin' ages to get the crimp on tight enough to my new torch, I don't want to do it again today and then again in a couple of days time - should've gone for quick release fittings!
Martin said to keep all the hoses so all I will have to do is reconnect at the oxycon end when the replacement arrives but it means three days with no bead making :'(
Soo, I use the crimps with a slotted closure so you just use a screwdriver to tighten/loosen. I'm sure they've got a proper name, but I don't know what it is!
They cost about 30p each from DIY shops.
Jubilee clips?
Yes, I call them Jubilee clips.
Julie, you and my DH think alike cos he came home with some last night as a surprise as I was moaning about it at breakfast (though it says hose clips on the packet - probably a copyright thing). So, I can do some flaming this morning - in fact, what am I doing here when I could be making beads??! :-)
Trips off happily singing "All I hear is ... bu-urn da-da-da" (showing my age, very old Deep Purple song).