My torch arrived today!

[cherylsart]

So why am I not out back using it? Well... there are other reasons but one of the main ones is I'm afraid to light it for the first time! I read the post in one of the threads where someone said her hot head blew up when she lit it, and I'm someone who jumps when I fire up the barbecue!!!

So I know there have to be other people who had the Fear of Fire when they first started out. I could use some positive encouragement. The idea of lighting the torch for the first time has my stomach in knots!!!:shock:

Cheryl

[kbinkster]

What kind of torch do you have? I, or someone here, can walk you through it. :)

I remember when I first got my Hot Head. I had read tons and tons of stuff about lampworking before I ordered my kit. Then, after I ordered it, I decided that I would feel better seeing someone light it up, first. So, I called a local stained glass shop and asked if they taught bead making lessons. I was in luck. They were having one two weeks from when I called. My kit arrived, but I was too scared to try it out. I wanted to wait for the class and make sure that I was doing it right.

Well, I took the class. I had read so much, that there were even a few things I knew about that the teacher had not heard of (she only made beads occasionally, her main focus was stained glass and she did not read the glass forums). I felt good about the class because it confirmed the most of the things I had read. When it came time to light up, I felt good, but then I kicked myself because it really wasn't scary afterall and I really could have done it on my own - especially if someone had walked me through it. Even if I had lit up on my own, I still would have enjoyed the class. I like to see things done right in front of me.

[cherylsart]

It's a Hot Head. My friend, who I bought a second HH for, said she's fired one up before and never even thought about it. I got one of those bbq lighters to light it with. I guess all the stuff I've read about safety, people blowing up their houses, etc, sunk in. Happy, Mike and Dave? I guess I took it a little too much to heart. It's just that Fire is, to me, the most volatile and dangerous of all the elements, the hardest to control and the one that can do the most damage in the shortest amount of time. I just want to be sure I treat it with appropriate respect!

[kbinkster]

Well, it's good to have a healthy respect for it.

OK, screw the HotHead onto a bottle of MAPP. Make sure it is secured to your workbench. Listen for any hissing and sniff the connection. If you want, you can use some soapy water at the connection to test for leaks. It should be just fine.

Next, light your lighter and hold the tip right under the face of the torch. Turn the valve on slowly. If you turn it too quickly, it could blow out the flame on your lighter. Once the torch is lit, put your lighter somewhere safe away from your bench where hot glass or hot tools can land on it.

There you go!

It will be noisy. But, don't be scared.

[cherylsart]

So it won't go "poomp!" in a big flame like my bbq did the other day? Scared the crap out of me. I think the mistake I made there was that I turned the gas on first and then threw the match in! It was only a huge flame for a split second but still... ACK!!! I'll get over this after the first few times I light the torch. But people writing and reassuring me is helpful!

[kbinkster]

Light the lighter first and add the gas slowly... that's the key to no "poomp!"

[Mr. Smiley]

How do you make a cat bark?

[somberbear]

yea just do it.. grill lighter then bring in the gas...

fire is no big deal. just like cooking and cutting the grass.

if you have a heatlhy respect for it thats good. if it hits fear you might of picked the wrong hobby.

just relax and have fun.

just remeber which side of the glass is hot.... other then that just go nutz on it.

[cherylsart]

I finally started the torch today, and my friend and I made a bead. She's done it before; I haven't. First I pulled some stringer, then she made a bead and I decorated it with the stringer. So now I am past that point!!!

[somberbear]

woot hope you had fun.

wait till you get production 1000 yard stares.

[Nejoum]

That was me too!
Waited for the class at the LBS.
Glad I took the class...got lots of confidence.
But kicked myself about holding back lghting the torch!
LOL!
My hubby is still afraid tho....He won't come near when I am torching!
Diana

[kbinkster]

I knew you could do it, Cheryl!

Diana, tell him that it's safe and show him how to melt something. I can't keep my guy away when I'm torching - and that's o.k.. A lot of times, he'll kick me off to make a bead or two. He builds the torches I use and has shown me some great flame settings.

[cherylsart]

Now I just have to get my infinite switch so I can anneal the beads! The one we made today wasn't half bad. A little lopsided, but I've seen worse!

Cheryl

[one-eared pig]

How do you make a cat bark?

I've heard it as "How do you make a cat sounds like a dog?"

Throw it in the fireplace. *woof*

[kbinkster]

I've heard it as "How do you make a cat sounds like a dog?"

Throw it in the fireplace. *woof*
I'm glad you explained that. I was sitting there thinking "What the heck?"