Surface Mix or Pre-Mix?

[Hellucinogen]

I was wondering which one would be better, a surface mix or a pre-mix torch?
I am wanting to get into lampworking, and the torch that I am wanting is a Nortel Major with a minor mounted on top, the problem is I don't know which one would be best. I know that I'll be wanting to make pipes, sculptures, and some beads.

[Dale M.]

I think if you want to "get into lampworking" you need to have better understanding of the processes... Do you intend to work borosilicate glass or soft soda lime glass.... A Nortel major is a huge torch generally used for large borosilicate glass objects Like pipes and sculpture) .... And Minor alone is capable of making sculptures and beads up to 1 inch in diameter in soft (soda lime) glass......

Its generally accepted that surface mix torches are user for most soft glass and some boro work.... Premix torches are generally uses for boro work only....

No there are not hard and fast rules about premix or surface mix torches but they are generally as mentioned above.

Dale

[Cosmo]

It's a personal preference thing. Personally, I love a pre-mix. But a lot of people really like surface-mix. The main advantage to pre-mix is that it's hotter than surface-mix. But, being that it's hotter, it's hard to work soft glass on it. If you are only working borosilicate, it's fine.

One note about the Major, though... I would stay away from it. If you are looking at a Nortel torch, I would suggest either a MidRange or a Red Max. The Major just doesn't put out any heat. The square face is not very efficient. I have a MidRange and I can work just as large on it as I can on a Major.

In fact, whenever someone looks at buying a Major through us, I try to convince them to get either a Red Max or MidRange. I'm a fan of Nortel, just not of the Major.

If you have the cash, their new torch - the Red Rocket - is a great torch. But it ain't cheap...

[Hellucinogen]

ok so a red max would be a great all around torch? meaning i can work with soft glass and boro, right? I found a red max at www.artglass1.com and they have 2 different kinds for sale, could someone check it out for me and let me know which one would be best for me( I'm mainly interested in working boro, but maybe sometimes working with soft glass).

[earlbacher]

if you want to work soft glass get the one with the surface mix... heard that the hotter flame of the premix is a bit much for soft...