Flame Fluctuation - Down In Minutes

[Ravenesque]

Ok sorry if this has been over cooked as a topic, I searched but I just am finding fluctuation that it goes up..not down like mine. And mine is gradual, not sure if that's a common issue.

Basically I'm wondering if it's the fuel knob on my torch or the regulator. The knob seems touchy as all get out, but I have no idea if it's the norm or not.
..I can lightly tap the knob on the end and it'll make the flame flicker..normal or not?

I'm on a new cricket, from a HH..so I'm not too sure on if this is right or not since I really never worked a torch other than a HH.
(20# propane, Fixed regulator (10), 5 lpm oxycon)

When I'm torching, the flame size will go down while I'm making a bead. I have to turn it back up it basically every 3 mins sometimes. And I'm not making large beads, just production ones mostly. It's like this every time I torch. Even while making a small round I have to adjust during that.

Not sure how to explain, and I wish I could post a video lol.
I don't have it turned up a lot (as read here = 3/8th inch candles), normal flame, but it'll go down to a flame that's not quite pin point - almost, low enough that my HH was WAY faster to melt with :shock: .

[Wonker]

I'm not sure what you are describing is normal, but when I first turn on my torch (also a GTT, but not a cricket) the valves to require readjusting as they warm up. They will start off at one setting and gradually drop down if you don't readjust them....after a while though, it all settles in. If you have that problem over the course of a lot of time though, I'd call or write (and yes they will eventually get back to you by email, it make take a few days, but they will respond)... and tell them about the problem. You could have a bad valve.

[beadsoncypress]

I work on a mini cc, but this only happens to me when my tank is getting low.

[Dale M.]

Could be regulator getting to cold, BUT those type regulators can handle a lot more gas volume that your torch demands so regulator should not be freezing up because of gas flow..... Check regulator to see if its really cold (not just cool) or getting frost on it.....

This is with understanding that tank is "full".......

Dale

[squid]

My cricket does the same thing - gets smaller gradually. I seem to recall reading something that it would go away over time. It does seem better than it did.

Also, on the cricket, 10 is a very high setting for the propane - it makes the adjustments hard as the knob is super touchy to adjustments. I set mine around 7 or 8 - if I go any higher the adjustments are annoyingly delicate.

[echeveria]

My propane is set on 5, and the cricket is a flamethrower at that pressure!

Both my cricket and my bobcat flames back off a few minutes after the initial lighting. I make an adjustment when I notice it, and then it holds just fine. So, if I were you, I would try the lower pressure, see if you can adjust once and are good to go afterwards. If not, I would then call GTT to discuss.

[2kids&atorch]

I bought a Minor a few years ago when I first began lampworking, and I had this same EXACT problem. I would be working, everything okay for a couple of minutes, and then all of a sudden, WHOOSH, a big huge flame would burst out of the torch. It did this intermittently every time I sat down at my bench. First, I thought it was the torch. I contacted the supplier, and they exchanged it, but...same problem. So then, I thought maybe the propane temperature was fluctuating (it was wintertime), which can affect the pressures and thereby interrupt the proper function of the regulators. So I brought the propane inside my studio...still no better. Finally, I bought a new regulator. BAM! Problem solved. Hope this helps.

[Ravenesque]

Ok thanks guys...

So maybe I'll mess with the regulator, even try a new one before I email them.

It is a full tank.. I had just changed it because I thought maybe that was the issue. In other words it did it on a 'almost' empty and a full one.

Dale, I had that thought too, the cold.. but it did this when it was warm also.

And it is like that thoughout the session, actually the other night I barely had ANY flame after about an hour, it was like a lighter seriously. I couldn't turn it up at all. I thought maybe it was too cold out, but when I looked it was 35..on my HH that was a perfect temperature for me for some reason, and I have torched colder on the cricket.

Hrm, I hope I can get it sorted..you guys have been a great help :wave: