Difference Between Hot Head and Plumbing Torch?

[granodivetro]

What's the difference? I mean they can both run off of propane or MAPS and both get very hot. Are they the same thing? Sorry if this is a dumb question. I tried to search for the answer but I cant seem to locate it. Thanks in advance for your help.

Gene

[Tanner Studios]

Hugh difference, A Hot head is designed to suck air into the flame. A plumbers torch burns with a heavy reducing flame. If it were to be used on glass all you would get is ugly coal and soot.
Scott

[*Naos*]

Yeah my father tried a plumber's torch for fun using clear glass. Got the blackest lump of glass you ever saw...and it started out completely clear...

[gmkcpa]

So the difference is really the head that you screw onto the propane bottle?

[Sue in Maine]

No, the difference is in the internal design. The two types of torches look alike on the outside. Trust us, get a hot head lampworking torch.

I don't recommend the other one... plastic housing, automatic lighter built in... the lighter goes first and then the torch conks out. Spend the money and get a brass hot head.

Sue

[Kalera]

So the difference is really the head that you screw onto the propane bottle?

Yes, the physical torch part itself.

[ArtcoInc]

When melting glass, it is *very* important that the flame be as close to a neutral flame as possible. Too much oxygen will burn the glass, too little oxygen will contaminate the glass with soot and carbon.

The basic plumbing torch is not designed to achieve a neutral flame. Most produce a very reducing flame. This is ok for simple soldering and other household tasks, but not for melting glass.

When Cindy Jenkins designed the HotHead, she worked with a torch manufacturer to *modify* a standard torch to increase the air going into the torch. This way, she was able to get as close to a neutral flame as possible.

This has been covered here before:
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140902

Malcolm

[gmkcpa]

So the difference is in the inside of the head that you screw on to the propane bottle?

[ArtcoInc]

So the difference is in the inside of the head that you screw on to the propane bottle?

Yes.

Malcolm

[gmkcpa]

Thank you.