Confused and apparently not alone

[mrsfid1]

As with all those looking for new torches, I too have been agonizing over which torch to buy. I'm new at all of this. I have taken three workshops, working on a minor burner, but have seen others using bethlehem's barracuda and gtt's cheeta. My plan is to do beads, marbles and small paperweights. For now I'm happy with soft glass, and would especially like to use dichro and fine metal foils and wires.

Believe it or not, in the last workshop we melted hockey puck sized gobs of schott optical quality soda lime glass (after cooking in the kiln first) on minor burners, and my hand started to get burnt from the heat coming off the minor while I was keeping the glass soft. So I can say from first hand experience that the minor is definitely not a slacker. Though a larger torch would no doubt be quicker. And the narrow flame on the minor is just not what I'd like it to be.

I watched our teacher, Paul Stankard, work on his carlisle cc100 (probably 100 years old too) and was enthralled with the beautifully narrow single cone inner flame that is so crucial to very, very small detailed work. So one of the women said I might like the gtt lynx because of it's small, precise flame ability, but I'm afraid it won't be enough when I do larger marbles and paperweights. Obviously, the cc100 is out of the question for me because of cost and size (the outer flame is HUGE). I was also considering the knight bullett and the gtt cheeta, but the cheeta's small flame is not precise enough for my purposes. So there it is in a large nutshell - sorry to bore.

And of course along with the torch, I'll need to get some input on oxygen. Definitely don't want tanked, and will be used in conjunction with propane. And again, the less money spent, the better, though efficiency is paramount!!

Thanks in advance for reading my thread and any feedback you all could give me!![-o< Lisa

[IF-Designs]

I think if your willing to have the right setup anyway youd be happiest with the GTT cheetah or a Bethlehem Barracude if your planning on working mostly larger stuff They both can get a really tiny nice flame if needed...the cuda though has innner and outer fire so if you are working small beads you dont have to be firing up the whole torch to do that you can just run the inner fire and if you want a bigger bushier flame you can open up the outer ring its really nice in that regards...I had a cheetah and I LURVEDDDD her so much BUT she was a huge oxy hog I wasnt happy with how she ran unless she was running on tanked oxy or liquid oxy liquid being awesome but very $$ unless your working all the time.

[earthandsky]

I just got my Carlisle HellCat set up a couple of weeks ago and am liking it very much. It's a two stage torch. The inner fire is basically a Mini CC (7 ports) and is good for soft glass with its radiant heat and can be dialed down for detail work. The outer fire is an additional 14 ports and melts boro like butter. It's 20% off at Frantz right now.

Mr. Smiley just posted an excellent sale on oxygen concentrators in the Sale Rack today. Carlisle recommends running 3 M-15s with the HellCat, but I've heard from a couple of people that they're happy with the performance using 2 M-15s.

[Fran]

I've got a Carlisle Hellcat, it definitely has plenty of heat but you can turn the inner flame down very small and narrow like Tiffany said above. I'm using an OGSI generator, lotsa oxy there. I can recommend it, but it is a bit pricey.

[Melodie]

I have a Lynx and have had the opportunity to use a Cheetah. If you are wanting to do tiny detailed work then the Cheetah might be too wide of a flame. I decided my next torch will be the Phantom so I can still have my tiny inner jets and when needed the larger outer jets. I really can't comment on the others but I will say I love having the second oxy on my torch. I use it often when doing detailed work.

[Hayley]

My immediate answer to your post is the Phantom - which has the inner fire that is a Lynx. Then I read on and saw that you are not interested in using tanked oxygen.

I have a Barracuda with two M-15s and love it. Brent/Mr. Smiley has a similar set up and he does beautiful work on boro. The inner fire of the Cuda is the Piranha and I can get a fine pinpoint flame for detail work. In addition, I almost never have to open up the outer fire for most soda lime glass work since the Piranha is plenty hot on just ONE M-15.

Hope this helps.

[pambead]

Lisa I do all of the items you mention you would like to do and more. I use a Hellcat. It is less expensive than a phantom. I love the torch. I also have a lynx and a minor. You can really do what you prolly want with a lynx and save even more. The flame is clean and precise. A small torch just means a longer time working. Good luck

[earthandsky]

If Pam is doing what she does on a HellCat, that's testament to its ability to do fine detail work! Wow!

[pam]

I'm not sure where you live, but if you happen to be within driving distance of Oakland, you might want to come to the Gathering. We have open torch there and many of the manufacturers set up their torches on all different oxy sources so that you can see how they work. If not, then go with your gut. Remember, if you find you don't really like your torch for what you do, then there is a great used market for torches.

[kevalund]

Does anyone know of any videos on the net testing various torches with different oxy sources, as Pam mentioned they are doing at the Gathering, for those of us having to do all our shopping online? I've tried to do as much reading as I can, but seeing it is even better.

[kbinkster]

One of the projects I have lined up is to video the different torches I have on different sources and put it on YouTube.

[maddog1050]

I just got a Phantom - an upgrade from my Cheetah which I also love. I know many folks get a four stud and run the inner Lynx on an oxycon and the outer ring on tanked. But like you, I decided to get rid of the tanks - I always ran out at the most inconvenient time. I'm running a two stud Phantom on a Regalia and an Airsep Oxybox-13. Is it at 100%? Probably not, but I will tell you that it runs much, much hotter and wider than the Cheetah. And that's the reason I bought it, for a larger flame for bigger work. And of course, the Lynx inner can get really narrow for precise work. I love this setup and don't think I'll be upgrading again. This is big enough for me. It's actually too hot to use on these hot days - that's when I switch back to my Cheetah. Hope this helps.

[pryan]

I bought a Phantom a few months ago switching over from a Hothead. (yeah a jump I know:lol:) But after working on one in the classroom I liked it alot. My reasoning was this...I am mostly self taught (might as well call it SLOW taught) and only a little over a year, so not very good yet. I wanted to learn and be proficient on something that will give me a wide range of use. So far it's been a huge learning curve. Have only used the inner flame and it's so adjustable for anything you want to do. It was a little pricey but I figured it was an investment.(I just didn't buy groceries for a while) I didn't want to buy something and then want to upgrade again.

As far as O2, I have 2 big H cylinders each one gives me about 20 hours, and one small backup(12 hours). One big and the small I purchased from Tractor Supply Company. If I run out they are open on Sunday and I can easily lift the small tank. The other H cylinder is from Airgas who deliver it right to my house. When you purchase them they are expensive at first,but the refills are pretty cheap.(around $25-$30) I am an anesthesia provider and felt comfortable with tanks but mostly it's the pressure flows I wanted. I too posted that question. The replies I got were that the Phantom needed the flows you get with tanked O2 vs what you can get with a concentrator. Something to check into when choosing the torch.

I have the UTMOST respect for the members here and they were a great help when I got the torch. I also called upon my teacher in Roswell GA for input. I am not able to speak from the incredible experience you will find on this site but only from being in your position recently. Best of luck in your endeavor and I hope it brings you great happiness and pleasure.

[kevalund]

That's great news, Kim. Thanks!