Torch distance from wall

[bldog]

Hi everyone. I'm new out here and have a question.

I've been working with my torch in a basement in the middle of the floor. I'm getting ready to move it to a new location where I will be facing a wall. Is there any set distance a torch should be from the wall for saftey? I noticed in some of your pictures of your studio's you have a metal sheet against the wall.

Thanks.

[Cosmo]

It depends on the size of the torch. Hot heads have a relatively short flame. Minors and Mini CC's are a little longer.

However, if you have something like this...

http://www.crystalmyths.com/flameoff/General/looiepython.jpg

Obviously you'd need to have it a pretty good distance away.

[CharleneN]

I put a piece of HardiBacker (cement) Board against the wall with a 3/4" air space between it and the wall. The air space helps any heat on the hardibacker to dissapate. My torch is about 26" away from that. I run a Minor. It doesn't even get really hot with the Minor but it DID get hot with the Hot Head I used to run. Hope this info helps.

[bldog]

That is an impressive flame!

Thanks to both of you. That helps.

[e. mort]

Ok, I have the same question. I have a bench that is 3 feet from the wall which is more than fine for my bobcat, and minors. However, my GTT Delta is on it's way. I was thinking of making a little sliding extension under the table that I could slide out and lock in place when I want to use the outer ring. I was thinking of making the slider come out an additional 12 inches. So, would 4 feet from the wall be enough. I will have hardi-backer on the wall as well.

Thanks for your input.

Eric

[Cosmo]

A Delta is pretty big, and flames are still hot way past where they become invisible. If you angle the torch upwards you should be fine, but I'd still turn the torch off and check the surrounding walls periodically just in case.

[e. mort]

Thanks Chad!

I know the Delta is way more torch than I need right now, but at least I won't have to upgrade in the future. :-D Plus, I would eventually like to learn to work boro. Maybe I should make my slider come out 18" instead of just 12", that would give me 4.5' feet from torch to wall.

Thanks again,

Eric

[Cosmo]

Buying a Delta and not working boro on it? Yeah, that's WAY more torch than you'll need. If you are using soft glass, a Cheetah is about as big as you'll need...

[Dale M.]

I would say if after an hour or two of torch being on, and you can not hold hand against wall because it is to hot, torch is too close...

Dale

[e. mort]

We used Deltas in Loren Stumps Glass for doing paperweights in soft glass, but I wanted the option to work boro as well. I figure this will do it all.