I know I still might just be daydreaming about stuff at the moment, but I am *hopefully* gonna be able to set up a second torch station in my new studio if all goes to plan..... I have used a minor... am currently on a mini CC .....but I was wondering what torches you guys use, and what it is that keeps you using your favourite torch... ??
I'll hopefully be getting a second oxycon too, so I suppose a minor dabble on boro is not out of the question too......
What are your thoughts ?? I'd much appreciate your input :)
Thanks
Les xx
I have an as-yet-unused Hot Head. Having used a Minor at Kaz's though, I'm trying to convince the OH that I absolutely need one.
;D
Love my bobcat. Have kept my hothead and might well set that up too though.
mine's a minor ;D
I changed from my beloved Minor to a Mega Minor. Still got my old torch, in case I didn't like it, but it's a keeper! Running it on two oxy-cons.
Quote from: Failariel on September 18, 2008, 09:17:01 PM
mine's a minor ;D
mine too, when I got my torch i wasn't realy aware of all the choices, but I'm happy enough, it melts glass ;)
I'm kind of thinking of something like that Mary ... but I dunno.... ?? I liked my minor... I get on OK with my mini CC, but I want something with just a bit more oomph for larger scale pieces I think ?
:)
My main toy is a Bethlehem Piranha, then I got a Nortel Minor, which is being connnected tomorrow :)
And I managed to get Andrew a National 8M so he can melt his marmite jars easier :)
Quote from: Les on September 18, 2008, 09:21:16 PM
I'm kind of thinking of something like that Mary ... but I dunno.... ?? I liked my minor... I get on OK with my mini CC, but I want something with just a bit more oomph for larger scale pieces I think ?
:)
It's not necessarily the torch that makes the difference, it's the oxygen. I tried a Lynx on 2 oxycons and it was less effective than a bobcat on a single oxy.
Really ? OOoo... intersting :)
The Mega has very different flame, wider and softer. Good for keeping things hot!
I like my mega.
There are people on here who have bought a 2nd oxycon rather than upgrade their torch, I think
Has anyone tried the National?
I love my Bethlehem Betta :)
I've tried others - but not a national - and the betta is definitely my favourite
I'm running on one oxycon but hope to upgrade very soon now my shed is being set up
Sarah
xxx
Another mega minor here - really useful, as I like going 'big' ;D
Im on a minor which i love however I want a bethlehem PM2D. as there's about as much chance of that as pigs flying I'd settle for a barracuda ;D
the minor is a whole different creature on tanked oxy, loved that when i had a go - i run it on 1 oxycon - so i would think it is very nice on 2 oxy's but i want to be able to make MUCH bigger work which is why i want the bigger torch.
I've got a Bethlehem Minnow & a Nortel minor, & 2 oxycons - either one on both oxycons is much more poweful than on one oxycon - the Minnow has a narrower flame, the minor a much more bushy one - for bigger beads or dabbling with boro I tend to use the Minor, or for more detailed stuff I use the Minnow. But as Shirley says, its the 2 oxycons that make the most difference.....
Pity there's nowhere to go really, that has all these different torches available to try out..... well certainly nowhere local, anyway....
More than anything, I am looking for a second torch station, rather than moving into boro ... so I'm not totally bothered if the torch is not that great on 2 oxy's .... I just like the thought of being a bit more flexible than I can be at the moment.....
I'd love to think about teaching at some point... and I am also really excited at the prospect of having glass jams every so often too... we shall see.....
:)
You can come to mine Les ;D
Might just take you up on that sometime matey :D :D :D
xxxx
I've got a Carlisle miniCC and 2 oxycons after starting out on a hothead. I would like a torch with a bushier flame though for bigger pieces, any suggestions. I've kept the hothead.
Minor, one oxycon. I would like a bushier flame too, it's tricky keeping the big ones warm, but I'm not desperate yet!
Love the mega minor, it can so cope with big stuff - much more than the minor. Much prefer it to my old minor, flame is bushier and softer than the minor, but somehow hotter. And less prone to boiling glass.
It happily did boro on one oxycon the other day.
editted to say, that was a 1 inch wide boro bead too - with full proper striking!
I'm not really qualified to join this thread, except that I got a shipping notice today, and my little purple cricket is on it's way!
I'm kind of leaning towards a mega minor at the mo.... for no other reason than I miss my minor burner.... aren't I sad :P
Oh wow George !!!!!!!!!! Fab news !! I bet you are DEAD excited !!! ;D
xx
I'm on a bobcat, upgrading after qute a short time on the HH.
The bobcat is very sexy, and very quiet (!), and it can certainly melt 104 glass ;D ;D ;D
Unfortunately I am useless to you, Les, as I haven't tried other torches, so cannot compare..
Good luck on your quest!
PS: congratulations, George, you'll love it!
I just found this which helps compare flame sizes on torches if this will help anyone?
http://www.angrymandrel.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=4989.0
George, your cricket sounds fab :D Am jealous!
Woohoo George! ;D ;D
Love my Bobcat - I'll probably move to a Lynx next... ;)
I started on a HH, moved on to a Minor and since May this year I upgraded to a Bethlehem Betta. I think I'm in love with the last one...
I'm still on one oxy but already bought the 2nd one. I lent it to another beadmaker however, who had a broken one and couldn't torch...
So things are on hold over here but once that second oxy is running: Wow!
I am still using my beloved Richard (my hothead) because I can't afford anything else. A kiln has to come first and I reakon I will be able to afford a new torch and oxycon in about 2015 if I save very hard. ;D
You'll get there, Katie - and there's quite a few people producing pretty good beads on a HH (including your good self !) ;D
I've got a bobcat with tanked oxy - so can't comment too much as I've never used it with an oxycon. Burns well for me, and will do boro OK, I think. ;D
Quote from: mizgeorge on September 18, 2008, 10:37:54 PM
I'm not really qualified to join this thread, except that I got a shipping notice today, and my little purple cricket is on it's way!
Oh where from? I am quite interested in this reviews look cool but I am struggling to find a supplier!
Saffie
Dunno if anyone is selling them in europe at the moment, but here is the blurb about it..
http://www.glasstorchtech.com/torches.html (http://www.glasstorchtech.com/torches.html)
Quote from: saffie on September 19, 2008, 12:56:25 PM
Quote from: mizgeorge on September 18, 2008, 10:37:54 PM
I'm not really qualified to join this thread, except that I got a shipping notice today, and my little purple cricket is on it's way!
Oh where from? I am quite interested in this reviews look cool but I am struggling to find a supplier!
Saffie
I went direct to GTT - the 'special' launch price was just too good to miss, and I also saw so many good reviews I thought it was worth a punt! Even if it's months before I get it out of the box. I just emailed them and got a phone call to take payment details when it was ready to ship.
I don't think they're giving to to any resellers until the introductory thing's over.
Mmm. i am quite excited by this torch as well looks a bit sexy also! have to let us know what you think!!!
thanks for info George
Sam
I have a terrible case of the me wants with that Cricket - even though I am 110% happy with my mega! LOL!
But I just cant justify the seeming need to have a new torch every year, as it seems! LOL! I have been lampworking 2.5 years and have had 3 torches, surely I dont need a new one? LOL.
I love my Bethlehem Betta. I got to it via a hothead and a minor.
Quote from: *rowanberry* on September 19, 2008, 01:27:30 PM
I have a terrible case of the me wants with that Cricket - even though I am 110% happy with my mega! LOL!
But I just cant justify the seeming need to have a new torch every year, as it seems! LOL! I have been lampworking 2.5 years and have had 3 torches, surely I dont need a new one? LOL.
I been torching for little over a year and have a minor which part of me thinks is totally enough but this cricket looks fab and apparently works very well on 5lpm oxycon which is what I am on and is specifically designed with this is mind so I kinda want it. Do I need it????....thats another question!!!
Sam :-\
Sam, it's your birthday...... treat yourself..!! ;D ;D I love my bobcat, anyway, and they look pretty similar
I really like the look of this torch but one of the comments was 'will continue using for small beads.' Does this mean it won't be capable of say a 2-3" bead? My problem is keeping a large bead warm and that's my main reason for wanting to upgrade. I was definately leaning towards the Nortel with the two flames, now I just don't know...... :-\
Im still on my hot head... loud and proud here :)
Just caught up with this one. ;D
I have a mega minor and a serious lack of practice time. ???