What torch for Larger boro marbles?

[joebirder]

Hello, I'm trying to figure out the best torch for around $1000 or less..
I have been looking at the Knight Dragon Fire, and the Bethlehem Barracuda.
I am wanting to mainly make Boro marbles about 1 1/2" some maybe larger some smaller... I will also want to continue to make beads and other small items. Anybody have any experience with both these torches.. It seems like the Knight would have a bigger flame, But I don't hear many people talk about that torch... Are there any other torch recommendations based on my needs?
Thanks for any help... Joe:waving:

[Mr. Smiley]

Joe, for bigger boro marbles, you can't beat a GTT Phanton or a Cuda... the Tiger Shark is also in that price range. Cosmo has a Tiger Shark, you should contact him and chat with him about that one... I'm assuming you're on tanked oxy... going this large on concentrators is expensive up front. I run a Cuda on two M-20's and love it... but it's another $1600-1750 up front. ;) Everybody has their preferences... but GTT or Bethlehem is my pick for boro color. The CC's are nice too, but the premix centerfire is loud and hard on color.

[joebirder]

Hasn't any one on here used the Knight Dragon Fire? I'd really like some feedback on that torch....
I have heard lots of stuff about the barracuda controls getting hot..
And What about the GTT Cheetah? I know the lynx is too small for my needs and I can't afford a phantom..... I've heard rumors about not being able to get a small enough flame on the Cheetah to do detailed bead work... Is this true or false?
Any help for this dummy would be greatly appriciated...

[Cosmo]

I would highly recommend a Barracuda. I have a Tiger Shark, and I love it. I have used a Knight a little, but came away unimpressed. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing about it that would make me recommend it.

On my Tiger Shark, I can make 2" marbles pretty easily. 2.25-2.5" are possible as well. That is as large as I have attempted, and is probably pushing the limit of my patience. A friend has a PM2D and makes 3" marbles all the time.

A GTT Cheetah is a good torch (as are all GTT torches), but for customer service reasons I don't recommend them. Not wanting to start an arguement, that's all I'll say about them. If you want to know more, PM me.

[Mr. Smiley]

The Cuda controls getting hot have been fixed. ;)

[kbinkster]

RE: Customer Service

If you want to know the rest of the story, PM me.
...not wanting to start a fight or anything... ;)

[Anakin's Glass Eye]

You can make a 1.5" marble on a Lynx for sure. I have a GTT Phantom but use mostly only the inner Lynx fire. I do marbles approaching 2" with the Lynx inner ring. It just depends on how patient you are. PM me if you have specific questions about the Lynx or Phantom.

Brad