Okay, I've waited too long to ask....

[amberbryant1]

I am new, there are lots of us newbies out here, we all ask a question about burning the colors,:evil: funny shapes we can't correct8-[ , bubbles in the glass :confused: etc. Everyone always answers, you're working to close in the flame, or turn the heat down. Here's my question. Could some on me show a picture of the proper flame on different torches? It would be invaluable for me to have a reference. I use a minor. I think I know what is correct, and what's oxy rich and what is reducing, but I may be wrong. I am about to get my second tank of oxy since I've had it and I want to do it right this time. Thanks in advance for all of the help.
Amber

[kbinkster]

That's a great request. I'll see what I can do as far as taking a picture of the right flame on a Lynx.

I can offer a description of a neutral flame, though.

If your cones are ¼” or shorter, they had better be blue-tipped – no yellow tips at all. Once you get up over 1/4”, you can start having a little yellow tip on your cones. When working soft glass, you should not get your cones over ½” long. Ideally, your range will be ¼” to 3/8” for normal soft glass work. You should not run it longer than ½” for a neutral flame.

For easy referrence, 1/4" is about the diameter of an average Effetre rod.

[glasser]

Nuther newbie ? You are saying I can have a bit of yellow on the tips of my cones for a neutral flame as long as I keep them under ½ inch? Work with soft glass. Have noticed while working away, my cones get smaller and I have not made any adjustments to the gas. When I look at the gauge it has dropped from my previously set 5 to 2 or 3. Is that pounds per inch? Anyway my question is, Why is the propane pressure falling, do you think I may have a faulty gauge? Ok that was 2 questions. TIA, Pam

[Cosmo]

I am new, there are lots of us newbies out here, we all ask a question about burning the colors,:evil: funny shapes we can't correct8-[ , bubbles in the glass :confused: etc. Everyone always answers, you're working to close in the flame, or turn the heat down. Here's my question. Could some on me show a picture of the proper flame on different torches? It would be invaluable for me to have a reference. I use a minor. I think I know what is correct, and what's oxy rich and what is reducing, but I may be wrong. I am about to get my second tank of oxy since I've had it and I want to do it right this time. Thanks in advance for all of the help.
Amber

The best way to tell for sure is testing it. Get yourself a piece of GA Amazon Night boro (even if you don't use boro). Heat it in the flame. It should be the same color coming out of the flame as it was going in. If not, your flame is reducing.

Nuther newbie ? You are saying I can have a bit of yellow on the tips of my cones for a neutral flame as long as I keep them under ½ inch? Work with soft glass. Have noticed while working away, my cones get smaller and I have not made any adjustments to the gas. When I look at the gauge it has dropped from my previously set 5 to 2 or 3. Is that pounds per inch? Anyway my question is, Why is the propane pressure falling, do you think I may have a faulty gauge? Ok that was 2 questions. TIA, Pam

First, make sure your propane tank valve is open pretty far. Then turn the pressure on your regulator up a little, then turn it down at the torch.

[kbinkster]

Nuther newbie ? You are saying I can have a bit of yellow on the tips of my cones for a neutral flame as long as I keep them under ½ inch? Work with soft glass. Have noticed while working away, my cones get smaller and I have not made any adjustments to the gas. When I look at the gauge it has dropped from my previously set 5 to 2 or 3. Is that pounds per inch? Anyway my question is, Why is the propane pressure falling, do you think I may have a faulty gauge? Ok that was 2 questions. TIA, Pam
Pam, yes you can have some yellow tips as long as you keep the cones under 1/2" and still have a neutral flame. The longer the cones, the farther out in the flame you should work.

As far as your pressure dropping like that, sounds like you might want to check the gauge.

Set your pressure to 5psi. Start up your torch and watch your gauge while the torch is running. If it drops, set it back to 5 with the torch running. If it stays there, then it's o.k. If it drops again, then you have a problem with the gauge.

Sometimes, on brand new GTTs, you will notice a drop in your pressure while the valves are seating. However, this happens at the torch and would never affect your pressure reading at the tank.

[glasser]

Set your pressure to 5psi. Start up your torch and watch your gauge while the torch is running. If it drops, set it back to 5 with the torch running. If it stays there, then it's o.k. If it drops again, then you have a problem with the gauge.


Thanks I will let you know how that works. My gauges are pretty new, end of November and 2 tanks of oxy and propane later.

[amberbryant1]

Thanks guys! I would still love a picture, and if it's not too much to ask, could you point out where in that gosh darn flame is the "right" place to work!
BIG THANKS!

[parisgal]

if someone near you has one, look in Corrina's "Passing the Flame" - it had the pictures that made me go "aha!"