Torches

[Bob Torbett]

Being a newbie, I started with a fireworks kit, including the torch. My question is would there be any advantage in purchasing a HotHead, or is it basicly equal?
I can't afford to upgrade to a dual gas torch yet, considering the rest of the equipment required.

Bob

[shawnette]

HH's last longer (from what I've heard, FW don't last long at all while a HH will keep up the good work for years), burn cleaner and a bit hotter. (At least this is the case with the FW & HH torches I have)

[MikeAurelius]

I used to sell the Fireworks torch, under the name "Quiet Torch". We sold a lot of these torches while the Hot Head people were having production problems.

There a couple of issues with the Fireworks torch:

1. The built-in lighter doesn't last very long - it is poorly designed.

2. The "spud" that controls how much fuel actually enters the so-called combustion chamber is non-removable without totally disassembling a very complex torch head. Once the spud is even partially plugged from tank debris and/or "gunk", the torch is basically useless.

It was a great idea for a torch, but in my personal opinion, poorly designed and manufactured by people who had absolutely no idea on the needs of glassworkers much less the way torches work. It appears to me as if there was no pre-market intensive testing which would have shown that there was a problem with the lighter and the spud.

Personally, I'd toss the Fireworks and buy a Hot Head.

[Bob Torbett]

Thanks for the info. I had a feeling the H/H was a little hotter from reading other threads. I have another question about torches. I don't see anything about using acetylene gas. Why?

[MikeAurelius]

In a word: DIRTY. Acetylene is a dirty filthy gas to work with. It may be hotter, but the soot is unbelievable.

[Bob Torbett]

Thanks Mike. Having done a lot of welding over the years, I thought that might be the case. You can see this when lighting before turning on the oxy.