Cricket Set Up w/ Oxy Con Questions

[foolrex]

Am looking at the Invacare Platinum 5 lpm. Will this be sufficient to run a GTT Cricket? Or will I need two oxy cons? What sort of psi for my propane? Moving from a Hot Head to this set up soon, so any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[kbinkster]

One will be enough for small soft glass beads and is an improvement over a Hot Head.. If you want to work larger, then you will want more oxygen.

As for the propane pressure setting, I like to recommend that you set it between 5-10 psi for the sake of your regulator (to keep it from straining, which causes fluctuations in the flame).

[foolrex]

Thanks! (Just saved me some $$$)

[Alaska]

Ran a Cricket for about a year on one 5 LPM at 5 PSI machine for boro. That setup can make boro beads up to about 22 mm in diameter. Larger is possible but slower. If you really want the Cricket to play well, add a second 5 LPM at 5 PSI machine.

Now use a Scorpion on natural gas (.4 PSI) with two 5 LPM at 9 PSI machines. If on propane (5 PSI) then three 5 LPM at 9 PSI machines work well for boro beads. Like the idea if more heat is needed just turn on the afterburner!!!!

[misterglas]

We have 3 Crickets running with 5 lpm oxy-cons 1 each. That works fine for Moretti glass

[kissmyglassjackie]

A cricket will crank on a 5 oxycon, no problem, and it will be way hotter than a hot head even though the small flame will trick you at first. The big difference is the core of your bead will stsy hotter/softer for longer. Have fun with your upgrade. I teach on hot heads, crickets and mini cc,s.
Jackie

[foolrex]

I know there are many brands and types out there, with this Cricket/oxycon set up described, I still need to buy a regulator. I have lots of options, but need to understand about the fittings required and what sort of range the gauges should have in order to buy something. I am looking on eBay, Craigslist and have a friend in CO who has a scientific device company who says he has some hoses and regulators, but wants some info on what I need. For example, he says he has a two stage air regulator, but the fittings are different and he has a single stage regulator (while I typed he sent: " I'll send you the Regulator and 3 hoses, one air and two Acetylene (typically set at 8-10 PSI) while air is about 60 PSI."). I, of course, have no idea what to tell him and no idea whether any of this will work. My friend is talking about going out in a blizzard - seems there is snow in the Denver area - to send this, so if anybody can help soon, I'd love to get back to him before he does something dangerous (especially when I am in no hurry).

[Alaska]

For the oxygen side with a concentrator no regulator is needed.

For the propane side you will need the standard welding single stage acetylene regulator. It has the proper fitting to mate to a 20 lb BBQ propane tank. An often used setting for propane for a Cricket is 5 PSI.

206669

Some add an acetylene flashback arrestor as shown by the arrow. They come in two flavors. One that attaches to the torch end or to the regulator. Or often, a used set of oxygen/acetylene welding regulators can be purchased on Craig's List in the range of $100 for a set.

If using welding hose for your propane to the torch be sure to use only grade "T".

[foolrex]

That is exactly what I needed to know. I passed the info to my friend and told him no hurry (heck, I don't even have the torch here yet - but he really wants to help after just seeing what I am doing on the Hot Head - nice to have friends so supportive). And nice to have a group of helpful folks here! This place is GREAT!

[Truewealth]

One will be enough for small soft glass beads and is an improvement over a Hot Head.. If you want to work larger, then you will want more oxygen.

As for the propane pressure setting, I like to recommend that you set it between 5-10 psi for the sake of your regulator (to keep it from straining, which causes fluctuations in the flame).



Hhmmm....I've been setting my propane regulator at exactly 5...will set it higher and see if that gets rid of my fluctuations in the flame. Thanks for the tip!