So after 2 months on my trusty HH, the time has come for something a tad hotter/faster.
I,m pretty sure I'll be getting a mega and oxy from Tuffnells in a few weeks time and have never seen a dual torch let alone played with one!
Is there much heat difference from my HH? Lol!
I've no plans to try boro but would like to make quite large beads and I've read the Mega has slightly bushier flame, although I'll only have the one oxycon.
Will I need to get any fittings to attach the torch to hoses?
I've got the bulk propene setup but not sure about threaded barbs on the Mega.
What do all you experienced lampys think, sounds like a plan?
Feels like Xmas all over again!
How exciting !! Will you notice a difference ? Oh my gosh yes !!!!!!
As long as you have the propane gas regs and flash backs which you will if you were running your HH on propane you won't need any additional attachments other than lemon clips to fix the hosing to the torch .
Ofcourse you will need the OxyCon.
All would say is try all the torches - they are all different and having your heart set on one before you have explored and tried them out may be a mistake - everyone likes different things and at the stage you are at you need to choose a torch that feels comfortable - I had my minor torch for 6 years and it's still my always go back to torch .
I would recommend you also look at the Alpha - but then I am biased :)
Hope that helps and we look forward to meeting you !
You should be able to use the same propane attachments,
The first thing you will notice is the lack of noise ;D
You can listen to music,
I worked on a hot head for 18 months before doing what you are, so I had to relearn but has you are a relative new comer just have fun!
Yes it is hotter and faster so practice with cheap glass till you get the hang of it and don't hold the mandrel in the flame for too long coz the end will fall off, :o
Enjoy
Sandy
You'll also be able to control the flame settings - from propane rich to neutral to oxidising!
Why not come to Flame Off in April, where you can try out all the torches and decide which suits you best? You say "in a few weeks", well, Flame Off is in just over a month (EEEEEEEEEEE, getting all excited!).
Nick
Hi ,
"Just over a month" ahhhhhhhhhhh
You will notice a massive difference in noise , flame control , flame heat and the clean burning that allows encasing and working with Double Helix colours that are a lot harder on the Hot Head.
Visiting Flame Off is an excellent idea(well I would say that) but there will be a "try before you buy" bench that will have a Minor, Alpha and probably a Bobcat all running on 5ltr oxy-con so this will let you play with the exact set up your looking at , play with soft glass and boro too on the torches and simply work out which torch you are more comfortably on . Being the worlds worst salesman I would recommend the Minor(the cheapest) but the Alpha has a wicked clean , sharp flame to work with .
You will learn too that you don't need a flame the same size as the Hot Head , a very common first time mistake and also that the dual fuel torches get the glass that much more hotter and in a more liquid state so the glass really flows rather pushing it into shape which is common on a Hot Head .
Best wishes ,
Martin
Thanks everyone for replies,
Have been thinking about flame off as it does sound ideal, but I care for my dad so cannot leave him alone for long as he is not well and not so long ago he awoke to discover a burglar in his bedroom who pushed him to the floor (he's 82!) and ran out.
Melting Mandrel's!
Sounds hot!!!
I did try the reduction flame once on my hothead, made a 1.5" barrel, rolled in multi-frit and flashed in the flame. Turned all silvery, lovely jublee!
Think I'll just have to take the plunge with the mega and hope its not too hot.Is there much difference between the mega and minor on one oxy?
From what I've read the mega is slightly hotter with slightly wider flame which sounds good to me.
Mmmmmm, decisions.......
Almost forgot, Passing the Flame arrived today.
I can see why its nicknamed the bible !!!
Hi Anthony ,
To be perfectly honest on 1 oxy-con you will not notice the difference between the Minor and Mega.
Best wishes ,
Martin
Tuffnell Glass
I recently got the mega minor after being on a hot head for 18 months. I wish I knew before I bought it that it would be similar to the minor on 1 oxycon. I'm currently having a few problems with mine - hoping to sort it out soon with help from tuffnells. I was taught on the minor and thought that the mega would be hotter on 1 oxycon.
Be prepared to burn through a mandrel !! :o ;D.
I pondered over buying a Mega, but went for the Minor which I find really easy to use and I have managed to make large beads and work borro quite easerly with it using one oxy.
You might find this of interest:
http://www.nortelglass.com/torches-choices.shtml
I prefer my minor to my mega and I'm thinking of swapping to an alpha or midrange when I have enough pennies
I have a minor which I'm thinking of selling! I can take a picture in the morning and let you see it if you're interested!
HI Anthony, I have a mega minor on 1 oxy. I live in Bridgend, do you want to have a play on mine to see if you like it? PM me
Thanks everyone.
Decisions.. ...
Might have to reconsider the minor if there's not much difference from the mega, really like the color though!
The alpha looks very nice also.
Which has the widest flame on one oxy, minor or alpha?
Think I'll have to keep reading, YouTube etc.
On a plus side I made my first bicones tonight so its all good!
Been looking again at Nortel's site, they claim the mega runs hotter using the same resources as minor as its there latest model.
Does this mean its optimised for oxycons?
Has the minors design changed much since the 50s?
Was anyone using an oxycon in the 50s?
Mmmmmm, more confused than ever.
Hi ,
Brilliant offers .
martin
Hi,
I too am just upgrading from hothead to dual fuel.
I travelled from Ireland to visit Tuffnells to try out a couple of torches.
Martin and Teresa were fab. Very generous with their time and knowledge. :) I'd mostly decided on a minor and spent a bit of time on one there. I ruled out the Gtt bobcat because I'm too far away if there's a problem. I decided to make just one bead on the bethlehem alpha.
The only way I can describe it...... I felt like I had 'come home' . Even my Mum who came with me said I looked far more comfortable on the alpha. So I've gone with the alpha.
It seem to me to be much like the apple / android debate. Very much personal opinion. Flame off is well worth it.....
Have fun
Sheena
Hi Anthony,
The flame is slightly wider on the Minor with a single oxy-con compared to the Alpha . The Alpha flame is tighter , more like a stringer cutting flame whereas the Minor can appear "wafty" in comparison.
Martin
I really love my alpha. I started on a minor, for a year. Loved that too while I had it... :)
Thanks peeps,
I think it'll be the mega or alpha, either way I'll be a happy guy!
I've been rereading the torch posts on LEC, phew, some heavy reading.
Don't mention using propane indoors over there.
If only my hothead was a hell of a lot hotter and a hell of a lot quieter.
I know I'm new but it takes me an hour to make a bicone 1.75" long by 1" wide. Great fun though, and very relaxing.
Right, off to research to some more ::)
Hi ,
All this information can be so confusing , the US forums are full of threads. I know when I have been to shows in the USA that there "health & safety "is amazing!!! What they do with oxygen/propane cylinders and hoses would have you shut down in the UK for dangerous practice's.
cheers ,
Martin
Quote from: tuffnell glass on March 11, 2014, 07:21:08 AM
What they do with oxygen/propane cylinders and hoses would have you shut down in the UK for dangerous practice's.
Yet it's the land where it's legal to carry guns.
Still can't decide!
I'm now considering bobcat and mini cc as well.
Choices .....
Quote from: Anthony on March 16, 2014, 12:03:39 AM
Still can't decide!
I'm now considering bobcat and mini cc as well.
Choices .....
Not sure if this will help or add to your confusion but 6 months ago I changed from a mega minor to a mini cc and haven't looked back. I absolutely love it!!
Hi ,
This will need a forum of its own . The Bobcat is much finer flame and the Mini Cc is very very oxygen hungry , it will work on a standard 5ltr oxy-con but really needs more to run like it would on oxygen . I remember playing with one on oxygen cylinders years ago and watching the gauges go down very quickly .
Martin
Anthony if there is any way you can get to Flame off that would be the best way to try all of them out and more as well. you can talk to Martin and loads of other lampworkers. is there any way that you could either bring your father with you (we are all friendly) or arrange for some one to stay with him. If not the offer to try my mega minor still stands, I also have my daughters minor here that we could set up as well. I am only down the road in Bridgend as it looks like you are Llanelli based
Quote from: Pauline on March 17, 2014, 01:41:23 PM
Anthony if there is any way you can get to Flame off that would be the best way to try all of them out and more as well. you can talk to Martin and loads of other lampworkers. is there any way that you could either bring your father with you (we are all friendly) or arrange for some one to stay with him. If not the offer to try my mega minor still stands, I also have my daughters minor here that we could set up as well. I am only down the road in Bridgend as it looks like you are Llanelli based
I think the above is very good advice, one maybe you should heed. With so many torches to choose from the task of choosing the next one can be some what daunting, and you do seem uncertain. Another consideration for you, is for you to gauge your own current level or standard of work on your hothead, though this setup can really hold people back but then again I have seen some excellent pieces of work produced on them.
Only my opinion - A hothead is great for learning the basics of how glass moves, reacts and overall control, though I found when moving from my hothead onto a big girls torch that it was certainly a whole different kettle of fish, basically it was like starting all over again, though quicker.
If I could do it all again and knowing what I know now, I would have certainly have bought a dual fuel from day one!
Another thing, is if you were to research the torches topics on here, I am sure you will read that most folks have worked with the trusted steed of a Minor for a few years and then moved on to a flame thrower or other :D Again, like I mentioned somewhere else, the Minor is a jolly good work horse and not many people sell them on as they tend to keep them as they are really dependable and they do hold there money.
When you do decide to buy, buy it from Tuffnells - excellent customer service through & through A++++++++++++
Best of luck ;)
Sorted!
Im getting a used ( but not too much ) mini cc for a good price.
From what I've read the flame is not that dissimilar with the hothead and hopefully on one oxy won't be too much of a step up for me.
Maybe add another oxycon in the future and then, who knows, maybe a bravo ...
Thanks again everyone.
good news well done
Quote from: Anthony on March 17, 2014, 07:45:32 PM
Sorted!
Im getting a used ( but not too much ) mini cc for a good price.
From what I've read the flame is not that dissimilar with the hothead and hopefully on one oxy won't be too much of a step up for me.
Maybe add another oxycon in the future and then, who knows, maybe a bravo ...
Thanks again everyone.
Ooh how exciting. I run mine on one oxy and it's fine. You'll definitely notice the difference from your hot head. Enjoy!
hi ,
Not sure about the Flame being similar to a hot head but good luck with the new torch
martin
Its in the post so won't be long now :o
The money I've saved on the torch will go towards my refurbished oxy so I'll have it sooner than planned.
Martin, please pick me out a good one ( male if possible! ).
I'm trying to make cones now but the Hothead's so slow ...
Just ordered my oxycon so it's getting exciting now !
Haven't felt this excited since I bought my first car many moons ago.
🎼Oh Happy Days ....