Torch mini cc,Oxygen and propane..now what help :)

[LDowdle]

Hi Everyone.... My exciting journey has begun. I am back after many weeks..this time with the correct equipment.(I hope) :) :biggrin:

I have a mini cc (all sparkly and pretty) , hoses and regulators. The Oxygen tank is arriving later today and I have the propane filled up and waiting.

Now what? (oh I am so excited but don't have a clue really) And I have no money left to pay somebody to set it up.

I was hoping that you would be able to take me through the process of getting it connected , tested etc before I can finally sit down and feel safe. I can appreciate this will take a few days to complete with the time difference etc... and of course, you are all so experienced and know what works.

oxygen will be outside, secured against a wall. Propane will also be outside. I have two regulators. I have viewed the mini cc dvd on how to test the torch before starting. The hoses are already connected to the torch.

The regulators are what freaks me out at this point...they are so big and heavy and anything with so many numerals on them are bound to be important.

so when I attach the regulators... what do i turn those huge "knobs" too. What pressure is sufficient? I don't really know what question to ask next but am sure it will all appear as I move beyond the regulators.

The biggest and best-est thanks in advance xxxxxxx Lorraine

[Judi_B]

Before you connect the hoses there is one more thing that is really important - ventilation! Check the Safety and Studio forums here at LE for some great ideas. Just search for ventilation in each forum. Be safe and have fun!

[LDowdle]

Hi Judi, Thanks so much, yes you are very very right.... for now, I have a 6m x 6m studio of which 2 walls are wall to wall doors including windows... I will have an additional extractor unit built in which will be over my workspace(when my pennies grow again) . I have maxed out all the pennies I saved with my jewellery and put in an order for a kiln . (that will arrive in 6 weeks. ( I will need help understanding that too as it has a fire III controller and to be honest no book is helping me understand the process of that). xx

[cadia]

Do you have flashback arrestors?

[LDowdle]

hi there.. when I bought the torch I purchased the fully assembled pack and they said that it has the regulators, flashback arrestors, and hoses.. going to check quickly as i am not quite sure ... xx

[LDowdle]

Yes the flashback A. are here. :)

120660

[cadia]

Good!
I am in the process of setting up my new CC too!
(Still buying "parts" !)
I'd love to know how it goes!

[LDowdle]

My Oxygen tank has arrived! \\:D/ But now the fear has set in (it is so huge).. what do I do first...?

I have visions of me landing on the pavement from mid flight :oops::shock:

What PSI should the O2 be on and what PSI should the propane be set to? are these silly questions...?

xL

[Judi_B]

Be sure to secure the oxy tank to the wall or something sturdy before removing the protective cap. The manual for your Mini CC should tell you the pressure to use on the oxy and propane. My Piranha uses 2-5 psi propane. I use an oxygen concentrator, so the pressure isn't a factor. When you attach the regulators and hoses check for leaks at every connection with a solution of soapy water (dish soap/water about 25/75). You will see lots of bubbles if there are any leaks. Take your time, check carefully for leaks and you'll to fine! :)

[LDowdle]

Thanks Judi.. Phew... I have to admit, I will probably laugh so loud when I read this post in about a year. It is amazing how a tank so big can totally freak me out to a point where I am to nervous to touch it. I will do all those things tonight then when DH gets home ( I will watch him do it with a pair of of binoculars :) )
x L

[Judi_B]

One more thing before you light that torch - after you're sure there are no leaks and think you're ready to light the torch, remember POOP :lol: It's the order to turn the gases on and off at the torch - Propane first, light the torch then add oxygen to adjust the flame. Reverse it for turning the torch off - turn oxygen off, then propane. If you reverse the order you may get a LOUD POP that is guaranteed to scare you!

[EaglesLegacy]

Judi- POOP...that's funny, but perfect for a person learning...Us newbies take in so much information to be sure we are being safe that having an easy way to remember something so important is EXTREMELY helpful. Thanks. :-)

[LDowdle]

Hi Judi... :) thanks so much for that. I took a black marker and drew a line on the work bench on both sides of my torch, with the words ON and OFF in the relevant places.... this has helped me heaps in the last two days. As a newbie I have so much info in my head but ZERO practical experience... so the moment that torch goes on all ideas are like a spaghetti junction. I found myself saying " great now i have a ROUND blob... what now?" and then minutes later my internal dialog continues by saying " well at least I know which way to turn the valves :) :) :)

I am terribly excited to figure out how to make a REAL bead.... I am off to have another PRACTICAL exhilarating experience.


Hey Sally. This torch is fabulous... It is doing everything it should do beautifully. ie: like the manual said and the things I have heard :) The problem is me... I have no idea what I am doing..... :)

My Husband helped me set it up the one night, we did the recommended tests and off I went. I still ask him to light it and open and close the gas tanks because I am still nervous about it.:) :)

Now it is just about playing around and figuring out what works with what.

I have been trying to make a simple round bead till now.... Tonight I am going to try and pull a stringer.

Let us know when you get your torch...:) :) I am so excited for you. I am still in awe every time i walk into the studio and see this gorgeous looking thing.

till next time
L

[cadia]

Oh Lorraine, So this is you first torch too!!??
No wonder your especially nervous!!
Sounds like everything is hooked up and you're ready to go !!
Keep asking questions the peeps here are very helpful!

Oh and my torch is sitting on my table waiting for the OxyCOn , flash backs and regulator!
Soooon!

[cswilson53]

I have just been lampworking for the past week or so - finally got set up with a Nortel Minor Torch, natural gas line and Oxygen Generator......This may sound silly - but I typed up instructions that I keep handy to remind me of POOP --- and every time I go to start up - I still read them to make sure I have the right order. I can make the round bead - now I am just struggling with those DOTS and STRINGERS!! each time it gets a little better!!!.....

[LDowdle]

Oh Lorraine, So this is you first torch too!!??
No wonder your especially nervous!!
Sounds like everything is hooked up and you're ready to go !!
Keep asking questions the peeps here are very helpful!

Oh and my torch is sitting on my table waiting for the OxyCOn , flash backs and regulator!
Soooon!

Hey Sally...Oh I am so excited for you. I hope it comes sooooner than soon! :) :)

Yes, prior to this torch I used a mapp gas canister and a normal braising connector (not even a hothead) Actually I thought it was a hothead.. Ooops. anyway it lasted 2 days ... at which point i managed to melt a little glass and totally burn it . I did get a round bead in the end but all the colours used came out brown... silver was brown, blue was brown, teal i think turned red.. :-#okay enough already..

So if I scrape those 2 days off my CV :) I can honestly say that my lampworking experience to date is 3 evenings and counting.

I made some beads lastnight which I think are to die for....but then again in 6 months time, if i compare it to what i hope i will learn and make then... these beads would be way to scary to look at. :):)

[LDowdle]

Hi Christine

OH WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am nuts about your PMC work.... what stunning things you have made. Don't you wanna move to NZ :) :) :) Many of my ladies that I teach have asked me about PMC.... I have never given it a go myself but love the texture and look it offers...

I do however have a whole work station set up for PC in the studio which my experienced PC lovers use. But once again .... it was/is something I would also like to get into but have not had the chance...

Glass and wire is my passion.... the rest of the time is spent teaching beading and wire techniques classes, jewellery and now figuring out how to make a glass bead..:) :)

anyway.... I think your talent is stunning, .... I can not wait to see what you are going to do with your glass. :) :)

[theglasszone]

How hard can POOP be to remember? (Mother of two, here!)

Just remember, this is what's going to be in your pants if you forget the order and you get that wonderful LOUD pop!!! Ha.....that should keep you on your toes!!!!!

(Giggle!)
DeAnne in CA

[Abacus Beads]

As DeAnne said that LOUD pop !!! is one of the best reminders of what rotation you are suppose to use. One of the big things to learn is to relax, this is suppose to be fun lol,lol
I took me two weeks before my husband made me light my torch. After I did it one time I was still spooked by it so I would have to call him at work so he could hold my hand over the phone while I lit the darn thing.
Liz R