Hi everyone. I finally took some time off work today and ran to the welding shop. Got everything I needed including the tank for around $200. Kind-of terrifying for me because I've never run propane, but I was successful in hooking it all up. Yea!!
Now, I've only spent about 2 hours on the propane setup, but here are my first impressions.
1. Scared the crap out of myself when I first lit the torch. I must have had the gas coming out full blast LOL.
2. Scared the crap out of myself when I couldn't get the torch to light at all LOL!
3. Finally figured out how to set the pressure to 10 lbs
4. After 10 years of torching on NG, I can now say that I NEVER saw the "candles" on an NG flame. What I mean, is that on propane, you can see a blue flame AND a yellow flame. No such thing on NG. Only blue flame.
5. There is a HUGE difference in gas pressure. The knobs on my Scorpion are much more sensitive. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but I kept scaring myself every time I adjusted the flame.
6. Once I got settled in on a nice flame and started melting, I was impressed with the ease I was able to melt boro. I don't understand how the flame temperature itself can only be about 10 degrees different, but the BTU's 2.5 times hotter with propane.
7. I only had time to make 2 or 3 pieces, but I was sure to make a pendant with carmel and Loki Lipstick. I was impressed that FINALLY some of my colors looked like Mary's
Unfortunately, I won't have time really to play with the new setup this weekend and I need to do some rearranging with the hoses to make things totally safe, but I'm really excited to do more experimenting.
On a side note, I have an old Beta sitting on the shelf. I loved that torch (but of course wanted more power) so I never sold it. I've also got extra concentrators. Hmmmm, now I'm wondering if I want to hook up that old beta to the NG on one of the other sides of my huge workbench??? (we're just never happy huh?)