Oxygen use with a Carlisle wildcat

[Cathie]

I finally set up my Wildcat , I changed all of the regulators and hoses. I had a tank of oxygen with about 1500 on the dial, I made beads for a little over 4 hours and now I am down to 500 with the oxygen. Does this sound right? I had been using a minor with a generator. I haven't used tanks oxy in a long time. I don't mind is thats the amount I will use, I just need to plan to have more tanks on hand :) I checked for leaks and didn't see any.

thanks

[glassactcc]

I've been thinking about a Wildcat so I'm interested in this too. Hope someone chimes in.

[NMLinda]

Cathie

It may have nothing to do with your torch. I'm told that oxygen tanks can leak around the valve stem if you don't turn the handle on rather firmly and off again also firmly. I had something similar happen to me once - lost about the same amount of 02 at about the same rate as you, although I was on a minor. I had been using tanked 02 for years, exchanging them when empty, and hadn't had a problem before. I suspect I'd gotten an older tank that time and simply didn't open it hard enough (I'd done my standard leak check when I connected it, and didn't have leaks).

Once you get your new tank, try cranking it open as far as you can (without tools, of course: it's about the limit of my personal hand strength to do this). I don't know how much a wildcat typically consumes, but at least you'll have eliminated one variable

Good Luck!
Linda

[pam]

I think the first question would be what size tank.

[rg9403]

I think the first question would be what size tank.

Exactly.

[Cathie]

the tank was a big one almost 5 ft tall
I am headed out to the studio now so I will try turning the handle hard.

[NMLinda]

Good point, Pam.

Sounds like you're using a K-sized cylinder, Cathie, which is what I use when working off tanked 02. Mine's about a foot in diameter, and my dial reads around 2500 when they're full. Sound like yours?

Linda

[pam]

Assuming that yours is the regular size tank that pretty much everyone uses, the K cylinder, then full is normally around 2300. Using my Cheetah, I normally got around 20 hours ouf of my k tank. That was not running the Cheetah full out. So, it would depend on how your are running your Wildcat. The Wildcat is a 19 port torch while the Cheetah is only a 12 port torch. I would imagine that it would burn oxy faster than the Cheetah since it has 7 more ports. If you were running your Wildcat at closer to its high end, then the amount you used in 4 hours does not seem out of line.

[Cathie]

Yes the tank is the normal size tank, about 12" around. I got about another 45 minutes out of the tank today. Thanks Everyone.

[rg9403]

What are you making? If you described how your running your torch it would help us figure out what the problem is. otherwise we don't have a clue

[Cathie]

I am making about 1" soft glass beads. I am running a neutral flame with the oxygen at 10.

I am going to be using this torch for boro but just wanted to try it out with soft glass.

[pam]

Well, Cathie, that is a little info, but it doesn't really help, because someone can rage the torch and make a one-inch bead and another can have their torch dialed in where it uses only a small flame and make a one-inch bead.

Try this: after you have torched, turn off your oxy at the torch and turn off your tank. Do not drain the hose. The pressure on the tank should stay where it is unless it has a leak. If the regulator drops to zero immediately, then you have a leak somewhere between the regulator and the torch. If it doesn't drop or it takes a long time to drop, hours, then you don't have a leak in that part of the setup. Next, try the soap test on the fitting from the tank to the regulator. If you don't see bubble blowing, then it is not the regulator/tank.

Let us know.

[rg9403]

Cathie...there is no way you could run through that much oxy in 4 hours making soft glass beads at 10psi. Maybe if it were a small 60cft tank, but you have a 250cft right?

[Cosmo]

Are you running just the center fire or the outer fire too?

[playingwithfirebeads]

I think the Wildcat has 19 ports. I used to use a k tank in about 12 hours generally using a oxy flame.

Bonny

[rg9403]

I think the Wildcat has 19 ports. I used to use a k tank in about 12 hours generally using a oxy flame.

Bonny

Now.. was that making soft glass beads or boro pieces? Its the idea that she's only making small soft glass beads that makes me think it shouldnt use half a tank in 4 hours. Now if she said 1" boro beads then maybe...but even then i would be skeptical.

[pam]

Sounds strange to me also, but...............that's why I suggested she do some testing.

You're right, Bonny, 19 ports. I made a typo in my post and just corrected it. Thanks.

[NMLinda]

Cathie, any luck with Pam's suggestions? Doing a soap bubble test is an excellent recommendation. Should quickly tell you if you have a leak in a fitting some place, anywhere from where you attach the regulator to the tank all the way to your torch. I don't know if it will show a leak around the tank's valve stem or not, but that's worth a try, too.

I'd guess you're probably at the point where you need a new tank. I'd recommend repeating the soap bubble test immediately after you get the new tank, and also note the starting pressure on the tank side of your regulator when you first crack it open (remembering to crank it hard).

If you can take a picture of the tank you're using and of the size of the flame you've been using for your 1" soft glass pieces, I think it will help folks better help you out.

Linda

[Cosmo]

I think the Wildcat has 19 ports. I used to use a k tank in about 12 hours generally using a oxy flame.

Bonny

Yep. You're right. I was thinking of a Hellcat (the two stage torch), not a Wildcat. I had forgotten all about the Wildcat.

So, in retrospect, the amount of oxygen she's using sounds about right for the Wildcat. They use a lot of oxygen.

[glasshouse]

I've been thinking about a Wildcat so I'm interested in this too. Hope someone chimes in.

Hey I call dibs on your Zenit if you get a Wildcat or other unforeseen circumstances prevent you from stopping me... :rolleyes:

What is the flame range like on a Wildcat, out of curiosity? I haven't gotten to try one out yet. I wanted to at AS but my
hand was out of commission.



*A note about soap testing: Make sure you are using plain dish soap and water, not a soap with added moisturizers and oils.

Pure Oxygen + Oil = BOOM!!! Or so my dad warned.*


:) Kelly

[Cathie]

I am getting two tanks delivered tomorrow so I will test it Tuesday.
Thanks so much for the info

[playingwithfirebeads]

Now.. was that making soft glass beads or boro pieces? Its the idea that she's only making small soft glass beads that makes me think it shouldnt use half a tank in 4 hours. Now if she said 1" boro beads then maybe...but even then i would be skeptical.

That would have been boro but there is no small flame with that torch. I pretty much quit working soft glass when I had it.

The Hellcat is just right for either. It's a mini cc with an outer ring and comes with a 4 post set-up.

Bonny