wrong color
 

I am very new to lamp work. I was given a flame work kit from hobby lobby a few months ago and have been playing with it ever since. I broke the torch that came with it and went to home depot to get another one. Since then, none of my colors are coming out as they should, except for the translucent colors.

I like the unpredictable colors, however, I would like to make a white bead when I want too, not a smokey-white. Is it the torch that's discoloring my colors? I use a basic torch head with a can of MAPP

John

It's your torch. You bought a plain old type of torch that a welder can use. It's different than the hothead torch you see here on the boards. It's not equipped to work glass. Let me go see if I can find a thread that will explain the differences.

Edited to add: Check out this thread. It may help explain the differences.

http://lampworketc.com/forums/showth...xplain+torches

Get a Hot Head from a glass source.

Sue

Are you using a torch meant for lampwork or a plumber's torch? You need to be using one that allows enough oxygen in the flame to not burn the colors.

John - I'm not sure what kind of kit you bought. Is it a Fireworks torch or HotHead? If it's a Fireworks set you can contact the manufacturer and they will send you another one. The company name is DiamondTech. I ended up getting 5 torches before I got one that worked correctly. The people are great it's just the torches are not consistant.

Either way the HotHead is a better torch but I used my Fireworks torch was good for about a year. Which is enough to learn the basics.

If it was a Fireworks, I'd just toss it. It's known for its breakdowns. Replacing it with another one would just be a waste of time, imho. No, I never owned one but I've read enough of others who have.

And a previous thread or two that mention the fireworks torches:

http://lampworketc.com/forums/showth...ireworks+torch

http://lampworketc.com/forums/showth...ireworks+torch

Just my thoughts.

Sue

Thanks. The torch I bought was a plumber's torch. I have to admit, being an abstract painter, I do like some of the color changes that come about; however, I do want the ability to make exact colors.

I received a gift certificate to take classes, which I plan on doing soon. I'm sure that in combination with the class, this site will help me along quite a bit.

Thanks again for the replies and links.

John

John,

Go to the red line of name/links about 1/4 of the way down on your screen. Click on RAOGK (which stands for Random Acts of Glass Kindness). Add your name and address, along with a short list of items you would love to be surprised by finding in your mailbox.

Sue

Sorry about the lack of involvement. I have been on a job that has had me out of town for many weeks. The weekends are full of chores.

I finally obtained a new torch and my colors are right. Thanks for the advice. I will be keeping my plumbers torch. It makes some excellent color variations.

Once again, I will be leaving town for a few days, then I will be off for a couple, rebuilding my deck. I'll be back when I can.

John

FWIW, John, that plumber's torch has what we call a "reducing" flame. There are some colors that do nice things with reduction (for a quick memory trick think of it as reducing the oxy, that's kinda what it means anyway) and other colors that don't. There is a TON of great information on this forum, and the search function is a very good tool. ;-D