Torch for boro

[Howie]

Hi,

I've been practicing with my Hot Head with soft glass for a couple weeks and have started looking at some other torches. I'd like to do pendants, marbles and some sculptural stuff with boro as well as soft glass and don't know what would be the best route as far as the torch.

The minor is less expensive, which is nice, and I'm unsure of what size marbles it's capable of.

The Nortel mid range plus and Red Max look nice as well but they're obviously more money. I'm unsure of the benefits of having the minor on top though. I'd assume you can turn the flame down on the lower torch so the minor may be redundant.

The GTT Lynx is the other torch I've looked at and I've not read anything but praise for GTT. I'm sure they're great torches but I don't want to spend more money than I have to just for a name. Some people may notice the difference from one to another more so than I would just because of the familiarity.

I've read the polls and a few threads about torches and I'm still unsure which route to go. :-k

[Tanner Studios]

First you need to understand that any torch is not going to handle boro with out the proper fuel supply. So it' important to look at what you can offer the torch for it consumption. The goal is to get the torch running at 100% For example if you run on tanks you will be able to set your psi at what ever the torch requires. But running the torch from concentrators, generators and/or house hold natural gas you will have to settle for less then 100% efficacy. So keep that in mind when deciding on a torch. Not all torches feed the same.

I can speak on the Lynx and the Phantom. I can say that your not just paying for the name GTT. The price reflects High quality and amazing design. The range of flames that are possible on these torches are second to none. And the triple mix has some hugh advantages.

The lynx was my first choice and would still be my first choice. But you will need 10 psi propane or natural gas and 20 psi Oxy to reach 100%. For a generator you would need a 10 LPM at 15 psi to work Boro comfortably. I ran my Lynx on a 6 lpm 9 psi generator for soft glass and it was perfect. But If I had to guess I would say it was running at about 55%. It wasn't until I switch back to tank that I realized just how much more I could get out of the Lynx center fire in my Phantom.

The best advice I can give you. Buy the biggest torch you can afford and grow into it. Even if you can't feed it properly right away. Step by step pick up the pieces to build your glass studio as your skills or needs demand.

There are a lot of great torches out there so it will be hard to go wrong. I hate to say this, But some times it comes down to what feels right in your hands. LOL
Scott

[earlbacher]

i have a midrange, with a surface mix on top... that and the redmax are two torches in one... the lower lets you melt faster... you can do fair sized items with the midrange...
i wish i had more money at the time, i want a bigger torch....
so, if you want to eventually go big, get the best torch you can afford...

[G.L.McBead]

Knight Bullet.
G.

[Cosmo]

Knight Bullet.
G.

My thoughts exactly.

[Tobias]

This thread seems old...you might have a torch but I vote lynx or any triple mix GTT hands down. I know people have thier preferences but GTT is not hype...10 years on the torch and i've had many brands, I just joined the GTT family the last month or so and I won't be buying any other brand again unless something that doesn't exist yet changes that. Saving money right now for a big boy GTT.

[ArtcoInc]

Howie: Since you stated that you have only been torching for a couple of weeks, and are using a HotHead, here are some other things to consider:

Moving to boro will mean upgrading to an oxy/fuel torch. Since you only have a HotHead now, this means having to get new hoses, regulators, and an oxygen source (either bottled or a concentrator). This alone can cost you $200 - $1000, and does not include the cost of a new torch.

After playing with boro for a while, if you decide that boro is not for you, you can still replace the HotHead with a smaller oxy/fuel torch, and still use your new hoses, regulators, and oxygen source to continue to work with soft glass. Or, all of this equipment holds its value pretty well, and you should be able to recover a lot of your costs if you decide to sell all of the equipment.

So, you need to ask yourself, what is your budget, and how committed are you to continue working with glass, both soft and boro?

1) If you just want to explore working with boro, you might consider an inexpensive 'boro only' torch. Something like a National 3A-B or 6B (Tobias has one for sale in the Garage Sale room) will get you an inexpensive, versatile torch that's great for boro (but only boro).

2) If you know that you will be sticking with glass, boro or otherwise, then you might consider saving up your money, and buy a larger torch that can do both soft glass (replacing your Hot Head) and boro.

Many people have already suggested different brands and models. Don't let anyone tell you what torch is 'best'. The best torch is whatever one you have in front of you at the moment, and one that you know how to use to your fullest advantage.

Malcolm

[Howie]

Thanks for the replies.

I envy those of you in areas where you have the ability to try different torches to see what works best for you before buying. There are a lot of different options and a ton of factors to consider.

I don't have a deadline or time frame set for choosing so I'm going to make sure I'll be happy with whatever I end up with.

[murf]

I presently own a Phantom but had a Lynx. out side of cost I would say go for the Lynx. there is nothing I presently make that I could not make with a Lynx and I cant say that at the time I ran it at 100%. they are just great torches, excellent resale valve and a great support company.

[tmerrill]

I too have been playing with soft glass and would like to play with boro--I have a nortel minor, would it produce enough heat?

[ArtcoInc]

I too have been playing with soft glass and would like to play with boro--I have a nortel minor, would it produce enough heat?

For small boro work, yes. It may be a bit slow, though.

What do you have to loose? Get a couple of sticks of clear rod, and give it a try :)

Malcolm

[Cosmo]

I too have been playing with soft glass and would like to play with boro--I have a nortel minor, would it produce enough heat?

It would be fine. We teach our borosilicate classes on Minors. Making pendants and beads are no problem. I make inside-out beads on a Minor all the time. I have worked plenty of 26x4 tubing on a Minor too.

The one thing you need to look at is your oxygen supply. Any torch will run better on tanked oxygen than on any concentrator(s). One concentrator won't run a Minor well enough to do much borosilicate. Two will be okay, but tanks are the way to go.