Propane Butane mix giving murky beads I think?

[Lakelady]

Hi All,  I bought a Fireworks torch as an interim to getting my hands on a Junior/Cricket.  It came with a bottle of propane/butane mixed gas.  So far, all but a couple of my first beads have turned out a murky brown, whichever colour I use   .  I have tried taking the glass out further in the flame but then can't get enough heat into the glass for it to do anything (lots of wierd shaped beads).  The only colour that works as it should is a clear purpley rod.  I have got turquoise opaque to work, so long as I only make tiny beads and don't work it at all after winding onto the mandrell.  I am thinking that it's the gas mix, plus my inexperience with what colours work where in the flame.  It also doesn't really seem hot enough as I seem to spend a lot (lots and lots) of time just getting the bead to be roundish!     The colours seem not too bad before I try shaping it.  I have also had a few crack on me (expected) but it appears that the ones that have been worked in the flame the most are more prone to this. I have ordered some MAPPS gas in the hope that most of my problems will be sorted out! 

I am hoping that someone will have some ideas!!!

Thanks in advance.  Jo 

[sarah t]

dump it  (safely )...the mix is wrong you are reducing ( ) all the glass to poo green .....and then when the mapp arrives you might get better results but i think you need a bigger torch  (and bulk propane ) ...you might be better with a hot head as the flame is bushier and hotter ...i don't know much about the fireworks torch but reviews are not brilliant

but if you think about the cost of mapp gas and how unreliable it can be honestly a bulk set up will pay for itself pretty quickly ..and when you get your cricket you are good to go so its not money wasted

[Lakelady]

Thank you!  I was hoping it was that and not just that I was rubbish!  I will miss out the HotHead I think and go staight for the Cricket and oxycon.   

[sarah t]

do it ......do it now ....you know it makes sense....


and the all things glassy obsession begins   

[Lakelady]

Ha ha!  Tha 'all things glassy' obsession began before I had even made a bead!  I am sooooo excited!   

[awrylemming]

Having just had a sneaky peek at your Flickr and very exciting wirework techniques, I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with in glass    No pressure, of course 

[Lakelady]

Ha ha!  I have soooo many ideas!  Just have to let my techniques catch up with my brain....  want to do some off-mandrell work asap too - but I need to calm down and take it easy.  Can't wait to incorporate my own glass into my jewellery designs!  I hope I'm not too rubbish at it all   

[awrylemming]

Bet you're not.  Betcha, go on, betcha    Have fun with it all.  And I know exactly what you mean, I was like that, wanted to try everything at once.    No change there either!

[Lakelady]

My MAPP gas arrived today.  I was told that the torch I was sold (the rubbish one) will be fine with it (I made sure I asked if the fitting was the same).  The fitting is different   I am so cross as I asked all the right questions and was given the wrong information.  I shan't be getting any supplies from that place anymore as I have now lost confidence and they have cost me money I could have spend on my set-up.  Plus now I can't do anything at all until I can order and set up the Bobcat.   

[jammie]

Want to borrow my hothead, I would like it back but if you pay me postage ( sorry to be mean but have no cash spare) I can get it sent to you today or tomorrow?

[elburnzo]

thts strange i remember my fireworks torch worked on mapp..... not for very long cos it was rubbish and broke though but it did run on mapp.

[Lakelady]

I would be so grateful for a loan of the HH..thank so much, have PM'd you.  You lovely person!
The fitting is completely different.  I went to B&Q to have a look at torch and gas fittings and the torch I was sold only fits the propane/ butane gas mix.  I have decided to call the company who sold it to me - I am surprised at the misinformation and mis-selling as it's a big glass place in Bristol and I would have thought they would have known their stuff. 

[jammie]

Pmd Ya! 

[elburnzo]

I would be so grateful for a loan of the HH..thank so much, have PM'd you.  You lovely person!
The fitting is completely different.  I went to B&Q to have a look at torch and gas fittings and the torch I was sold only fits the propane/ butane gas mix.  I have decided to call the company who sold it to me - I am surprised at the misinformation and mis-selling as it's a big glass place in Bristol and I would have thought they would have known their stuff. 

tht is so strange i dont remember having to buy a fitting for it and fairly certain it ran off mapp cos i bought it in a big yellow cylinder from b&q

[sarah t]

it might be something to do with american fittings go one way british ones the other or something i seam to remember there being this with other things in the dim and distant past ....