HELP! I have managed to totaly confuse myself

[bhali333]

Hi,

I know I must be becoming a pain in the #$%!

I just managed to totally confuse myself so if someone can help me with these questions I will be forever grateful!!

I will be working in soft glass doing some beads but I mainly want to do small to medium sculpture.

I have a budget of around 2500.00

I was planning on getting a

Torch_"Mega Minor Bench Burner"

OXygen_OXygen concentrator

Gas_ natural gas home line or propane?

My questions are

1. is the torch sufficient?

2. what size concentrator and can you recommend a good one?

3. how many lbs. for the natural gas line needed to run that torch?

4.If I use propane can i use a bar-b-q tank and how long will one tank last?

5.Is it better to use NG or propane?

these are the pressing questions right now, I'm sure I will have more later!

Thank you so much to anyone that can take the time to answer these!!

Bruce

[Lisi]

I think I can answer a few of those for you. :)

The Mega Minor would be a great torch for what you want to do, as the flame is "bushier" and wider than the sharper hot focused flame of the GTT torches. You're making a good choice here. It will be easier to keep the piece evenly warm with this wider and softer flame. It is a hot torch though, hotter than the Minor Burner, which is fine. You will melt the glass a little faster.

Another torch that would be perfect for your ideal is the Carlisle Mini CC. Radiant heat from a soft bushy flame. I think the Mega Minor flame is likely to be similar, I'm not sure. The Mini CC is praised to be a great torch for sculpture and those long barrel beads. It's because of the radiant heat surrounding the flame to keep your work toasty as you add decorations and the like without worrying about the other half of it shattering off.

Propane in a BBQ tank is more convenient, and the pressure could be adjusted with a regulator, no problem. I torch 4-6 days a week, 4-8 hours a day, and my tank lasts me about 6 weeks. I don't know anything about natural gas and if those torches handle the low pressure or not. Maybe someone else can chime in on that.

The oxygen concentrator, for the Mega Minor or Mini CC - two 5lpms, one 10lpm or even a 15lpm would be best. You would definitely have enough oxy with any of the three. I'm not sure which vendor would be best, but someone here can point you in the right direction. ;)

[Elizabeth Beads]

If I had a budget of 2500 just for my set up (not counting glass, tools, supplies), I'd get a Regalia concentrator and a GTT Scorpion torch (not sure if they are out yet or not). I use a BBQ tank of propane, but haven't kept a log of hours and I have the sense they are variable to a degree. The nice thing about Nat Gas is you have an indefinite supply, but you will need a pressure booster. Don't forget to budget for a ventillation system and a kiln.

I am running a Mega Minor on a rebuilt M15 concentrator and I'm happy with it for now but eventually plan to upgrade. I'm working in soft glass at the moment, not sure what you are planning.

Hope this helps.

[Lisi]

He wants to do soft glass sculpture, so I say there should be enough left over after getting the torch and oxy machine so he can buy nice sculpting tools and plenty of glass! ;)

[bhali333]

Thanks guys,

Your advice really helps to set things in perspective.
I think I will go with the mega minor torch, 2 5lpm concentrators, the propane gas and a paragon 5621-bd kiln.

Now all I need is the setup instructions :) I guess that can wait till everything arrives!

Bruce