Two torches: Mid-Range and Mini CC

[schoy]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking forward to upgrading my torch later on this year.

Disregarding the price difference, which torch is better: Nortel's Mid-Range, or the Carlisle Mini CC? (I only work with soft glass). If you could also factor in oxygen concentrator minimums/needs that'd be great.

Thanks,
Susan.

[Kalera]

If you get a Midrange, I would suggest the Midrange Plus unless you make only large focals; the Midrange has a big, soft, bushy flame that is not ideal for fine detail especially on smaller beads, but the Plus has a Minor top which allows you to do the fine detail work, and the big flame which is hot and bushy enough to make enormous focals.

It's definitely a bigger torch than a Mini CC, but the Mini CC is a very respectable small torch which is more in the leage of theMinor or the Bobcat.

[schoy]

Thanks for clearing things up Kalera. I hadn't realized that the Mid-Range wasn't capable of fine detailed work (thought I read somewhere that the flame can get needle-like).

UPDATE: Alright, my next question is, are these kinds of torches any good? Having a little torch on top of another torch? (I'm a little concerned about, say, a large bead cracking because I was busy using the little (Minor) torch to do my details. PLMK what you think.

Susan :)

[Kalera]

The Midrange torch doesn't dial down to a needle-point, though it can get fairly small (just broad), but if you get the Midrange Plus it's basically a Minor piggybacked onto a Midrange, and you get the full versatility of both torches. Although I use a Barracuda I actually still highly recommend the Midrange Plus for people looking to upgrade on a budget; I feel like you cannot get more torch for the money.

[Cosmo]

The MidRange is much larger than a Mini CC. The Mini CC is closer to a Minor than a MidRange. I would get the MidRange Plus. Well, honestly, I would spend the extra cash and get a Major or Red Max.

I use a MidRange Plus as my main torch (until I get my Phantom) and it works great. I can run it all day long without it overheating, and it's pretty good on oxygen.

[parisgal]

I haven't met anyone that works with a MidRange + that loves it... If I were you and wanted big, I would seriously look at Betheleham and GTT torches. My 2 cents