linked concentrator question (and others)

[Blair]

Presently I work with a minor, natural gas and 1 oxy concentrator. I've heard that if I get a second concentrator that I should be able to work boro, at least for small beads. First question: does anyone here work that way, and, if so, how do you like it? Second question: can someone point me to info on how to connect the concentrators together? Third question: Does anyone know where that list of torches and what type of set up they work best with is? I can't find it, and I figured that would be helpful. Thanks!

[Paul Ewing]

1) You can do small bead sized boro on a minor and one 5 lpm concentrator, but it might be a bit slow. That is what my wife uses a fair amount of the time. If you add a second concentrator, you will be able to do fairly large beads and small sculptural pieces.

2) As far hooking the two up, it is fairly easy. You can either by a $20 connection kit from one of the suppliers, or you can make it yourself for $5-$6. I posted in this thread how I made mine: http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58919

3) This is the closest to a list I have seen http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62152

Cheers,

[squid]

You'll appreciate the 2nd concentrator for soft glass too. I have two concentrators and a minor and do small boro beads and pendants. It does take a while, but is definitely doable.

[Cosmo]

On two 5 lpm concentrators on a Minor I can make a 1" marble in about 30-45 minutes. Pendants in about 10 minutes.

Two concentrators will run a Minor just about as much as it is capable of.

[LyndaJ]

You'll want to make sure that the second concentrator outputs the same psi as the first one so that they work properly in tandem.

[Blair]

You guys are awsome! Thanks for all the tips!

[kbinkster]

Connecting two 5 LPM concentrators will provide the flow the Minor needs to run its maximum capacity flame. The Minor likes to have at least 7-8 psi. It will run on less psi than that just fine, but the higher the psi, the more thrust you can get out of your flame.

Whenever you connect two concentrators, you will lose a little bit of flow and a little bit of pressure. On a small torch like the Minor, where the two together provide more than you really need, the loss is not a big deal. However, when you move to a larger torch, where you need everything you can feed it, it makes a difference.

When running a torch larger than the Minor on two 5 LPM concentrators, you will get most of the flame width that the torch has to offer, but the length of the candles (and overall flame) will be shorter. They may be long enough for your application, or they may not be. You certainly want the candles to be long enough so that you don't overheat the torch.