Bobcat Owners

[Reenie]

I don't know much about these but a customer would like to buy one.
What can you work this particular torch on?
Users, if you can give pros and cons, would be great!

[jeepinwelch]

It is very similar to a Minor but seems to have a hotter flame. I use a concetrator and it works well with that. If you are using tanked oxygen I'm sure it would be even hotter. I've done small boro beads with it and had no problems. It has a bushier flame than the Minor which is good for longer beads and small sculptural things. I really can't get a pinpoint flame on it for finer work. The knobs require constant adjustment until it is broken in. I don't know how long that takes because I only used it for around 40 hours and then I loaned it to Lisi. She has worked on the Bobcat for a while so I'm sure she can provide even more information.

[lnew]

I have a bobcat which I've been working on for several years. I recently got a CC minor, but I love the bobcat. Seems the flame is hotter and I can get it down to a pinpoint. I run it on 2 oxycons and my propane set to 2 psi.
p.s. I use soft glass

[Simply Us]

I've had mine for about 3 years and I love it. I run it on 1 oxycon. I can get a great pinpoint flame for detail work and I have never had to play with the knobs to keep the flame constant. I use soft glass.

[chayes]

They make a good hand torch if you take the base off.

[Reenie]

Does anyone use it with Natural Gas??

[jgraff]

I run mine with a 5LPM oxycon and BBQ tanked propane. I mostly do soft glass but it can handle boro.

145221

jgraff

[PaulaD]

We had them at the studio along with Mini CC's. Ran them on propane. They seemed hotter than the Mini CC's but did not give off the radiant heat for larger beads and sculptures. Handled small boro ok. Lots of people liked them.
Paula

[Beadbug]

I used a bobcat at Sandra's the first time and had to have one. At a class I took in Chicago I used a Mini CC and hated it. The CC has a very bushy flame and it was flustrating. I don't adjust the knobs much and never have had to but then maybe that has something to do with the oxycon you use? My minor just sits unused because the bobcat is my favorite. The new torch out, can't remember the name but it comes in pretty colors sounds like a cheaper version of the bobcat? Maybe someone can chime in on that one.

[tgslampwork]

I too started on a Bobcat (my first class and then bought the very torch used as a back-up). I currently work on a Lynx. I've not had problems having to adjust the knobs and also have been able to get a pretty small flame on the Bobcat.

The new torch is the Cricket -- and even though I have my Bobcat and Lynx, I still think I want one. I'm trying hard to resist!

I'd easily recommend any of the GTT torches. I've worked on others - and the GTTs remain my favorite, by far. Although I'll admit that it's probably because they are what I am used to from my very beginnings as a lampworker...

[tt4st]

I have used a mini cc and a minor but GTT torches are my favorites by far. I have a Cheetah and a Lynx and, like Kim, am trying hard to resist the Cricket. They were made to work on natural gas and one concentrator but still are hot little torches.

[Reenie]

well maybe my question should go into the torch room asking the difference between a bobcat and a cricket?
I know that bobcat has 7 jets and i think the Cricket has only 5. Not sure if it makes any difference. my Betta has 6 I thinks!
But I want more radiated heat and a more bushy flame!
I'll try and post this there too as so far all of you haven't mentioned NG for your gas use :-)
Thanks for all the help!!!