New and overwhelmed, help!

Marge Strother · #1 2012-07-17, 6:49am

A great northwest hi from Roseburg Oregon. I'm just starting out and after 3 classes, hooked. I have my ventilation going in soon so I'm ready for the fun stuff. I have narrowed my search to the EX15 Concentrator, Paragon Blue Bird XL and the Mini CC. I have also looked at the Mega Minor and the AK138 kiln. Any recommendations, or am I on the right page. I just want to get started and practice, practice. I'm sure you will all get plenty of questions. Thanks in advance, Marge:

glassactcc · #2 2012-07-17, 8:14am

Hi Marge. I don't know about the concentrators but I started out with a Mini CC and I loved it. I sold it and have always regretted doing so. I would still use it if I had it. I also have the Mega Minor which is a more focused flame than the Mini. I personally like the Mini better. I think it's a perfect choice. Have fun.

Marge Strother · #3 2012-07-17, 8:20am

Thanks Cynthia, I know this is just the start of yet another bad habit.

Hayley · #4 2012-07-17, 8:34am

Welcome, Marge! Have you looked into a Glass Hive kiln by Mike Crowley? He builds his own kiln and his customer service is superb. It's always good to know the guy who actually builds your kiln is only a phone call away.

http://www.theglasshive.com/

As for torches, it's very personal. The Mini CC, Carlisle Mega Minor, GTT Cricket and Bobcat and the newest Bethlehem's Alpha Glass Burner are all in the same price range. Personally of all of those, I do not like the Mini CC for the same reason some people like theirs - the flame is too fluffy and wide. The GTT torches tend to have more thrust, and the Bethlehem ones are right in between which is why I love my Barracuda (it has been replaced by the Bravo) and has a center fire that's the old Piranha.

If you have a chance, I'd suggest trying out the Mini CC and the Mega Minor and see for yourself.

Hope this helps instead of confuses! lol!

Marge Strother · #5 2012-07-17, 10:59am

Thanks Hayley, I will look at the Glass Hive kilns. In looking at the different posts, I see quite a few favorable comments. I wish I knew more about the torches, but which ever one I get, I'm sure it will be much better than the little hot heads, with the map tanks. I feel at this point I'm such a novice, I will not be able to tell the difference for awhile.

Alaska · #6 2012-07-17, 1:29pm

Torches are, as pointed out, a matter of opinion.

Started out with the Mini CC and did not have enough concentrator power to adequately use it. Went with the Cricket which takes less oxygen. And the nice part is that the Scorpion uses the Cricket as the center fire thus the upgrade path is an easy one.

Will you be doing soft glass or boro?

Marge Strother · #7 2012-07-17, 4:12pm

Soft glass for the foreseeable future

PittsGlass · #8 2012-07-17, 4:54pm

Thank you Hayley for the introduction

I saw this post and was going to pop in and welcome Margie too. I am excited to add another Oregonian to the glass fold. We are out here in Tidewater right on the Alsea, not to far from Roseburg. I know I am biased, but there's nothing like being able to get your hands on the builders in person when you need to. We are out there from time to time on parts runs and welcome visits.

Torches are very personal. I really like my Knight Bullet, or a Bethlehem Barracuda (the new version is the Bravo). The mini cc is a good soft glass torch, unless you want to make marbles. It was hard to polish that last punti mark. The GTT torches are very well made and have wonderful flame chemistry, but I find them very hard to clean and maintain. Once you can run the chemistry perfectly so the need for cleaning is reduced, they are a great machine. The Beths and Knights are bullet proof and easy to clean with standard torch cleaning cards.

I encourage you to try as many kinds as you can. If you need help finding places that will allow you to come to do a test run, let me know. They would be out here on the coast, and perhaps in Eugene.

We are happy to talk about setups beyond the kiln if you need. Welcome again to the glassy side

Pam

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayley

Welcome, Marge! Have you looked into a Glass Hive kiln by Mike Crowley? He builds his own kiln and his customer service is superb. It's always good to know the guy who actually builds your kiln is only a phone call away.

http://www.theglasshive.com/

As for torches, it's very personal. The Mini CC, Carlisle Mega Minor, GTT Cricket and Bobcat and the newest Bethlehem's Alpha Glass Burner are all in the same price range. Personally of all of those, I do not like the Mini CC for the same reason some people like theirs - the flame is too fluffy and wide. The GTT torches tend to have more thrust, and the Bethlehem ones are right in between which is why I love my Barracuda (it has been replaced by the Bravo) and has a center fire that's the old Piranha.

If you have a chance, I'd suggest trying out the Mini CC and the Mega Minor and see for yourself.

Hope this helps instead of confuses! lol!

patienthand · #9 2012-07-17, 5:46pm

welcome to the addiction, and you have a forum full of evil glass enablers here. For torches.. it really depends on what type of work you want to do.. if its beads I prefer a minor or one of the smaller GTT torches. For blown work I want that fluffy flame.

Signguy · #10 2012-07-17, 7:39pm

I'd totally recommend the following suppliers/equipment:

For kilns - Glasshive

For Oxycons - Jack at Unlimited Oxygen

For Torch - Bethleham Bravo if you want the ability to do boro or soft, Bethleham Alpha for soft only

All of them are well proven in my studio and give you a lot of bang for the buck.

Good luck!

Marge Strother · #11 2012-07-19, 7:18am

Thanks everyone. I have half committed to a Blue Bird XL but will look at the Regular Guy, so many good comments as I look at other posts. I knew I would get a wide range of recommendations re: the tourch but it looks like, for soft glass, I will do OK to start out with either the Bravo, Mega Minor or Mini CC and the EX 15 will be enough 02, correct? I'm a little worried the Bravo may be too much torch for me to start and learn with, but that may be because I don't understand torches well enough. I will read more before I decide. Thanks again!

Hayley · #12 2012-07-19, 7:32am

Marge, the Bravo will not be too much torch to start with at all for you will probably be using mainly the center fire. You won't be able to fire it 100% with an EX15 either so that will help also. Just know that you will need to get another EX15 to use both inner and outer fires of the Bravo.

Depending on what you eventually want to make - larger beads, sculptural, boro? Personally I'd recommend the Bravo since I started on a HH, upgraded to a Bobcat and then finally to the Barracuda (replaced now by Bravo). By going straight to the Bravo, you will be all set for many adventures for a long time!

As for the kiln - your kiln will eventually need some maintenance for thermal couples do break and heating elements do need to be replaced one day. It's good to have your kiln from somewhere you can get immediately response and service! Mike and Pam have helped me on holidays and weekends and I can't tell you how invaluable that is.

Baywinger · #13 2012-07-20, 12:52pm

Just a note on the mega minor it seems like the nortel torches run a more reducing flame
My wife has one and it always runs rich on the fuel side, on 3 m20 oxycons or tanks
I run I a gtt cheetah on those same oxycons and my flame is the correct chemistry and I can get a super oxy flame.
We are considering moving her too the bravo or the GTT scorpion
both of those torches are designed to work on Oxycons, the GTT cricket is the center of the scorpion

istandalone24/7 · #14 2012-07-20, 4:51pm

i just upgraded to a midrange, iv'e got a used (only since may this year) mega minor i'll sell for $150 shipped to the lower 48. still have manual and clean tool too.
i pm'd OP in regards to this.

angelique_redhead · #15 2012-07-21, 3:09pm

We have 2 Blue Birds. An XL and a regular. I highly recommend Mike and his partner, Pam though. Paragon is local to us but Mike and Pam are local to you so will be more convenient. They have awesome customer service too. My first torch after my HH was a major minor. Most of the time I just run the minor part. Enjoy the addiction. I'm one of the evil glass enablers.

Angelique

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marge Strother

Thanks everyone. I have half committed to a Blue Bird XL but will look at the Regular Guy, so many good comments as I look at other posts. I knew I would get a wide range of recommendations re: the tourch but it looks like, for soft glass, I will do OK to start out with either the Bravo, Mega Minor or Mini CC and the EX 15 will be enough 02, correct? I'm a little worried the Bravo may be too much torch for me to start and learn with, but that may be because I don't understand torches well enough. I will read more before I decide. Thanks again!

bexrox · #16 2012-07-23, 11:29am

My first torch was a Mega Minor... LOVED it! I sold it to get a cricket, and while I'm happy with my new torch, I often miss the MM. I have also just purchased a Regular Guy kiln from Pam and Michael at Glass Hive. I am going to pick it up when I am in Oregon for Glass Stock West... squeeeee! I have heard such great things about these kilns, and Pam and Michael have given me the best ever customer service!!! Highly recommended!

kenpnunn · #17 2012-07-28, 6:48pm

go with pargon the waranty is only as good as the company behind it and paragon been around forever

PittsGlass · #18 2012-08-01, 2:48pm

Thanks for all the referrals guys! I usually don't post in these "what should I choose" threads, but wanted to answer the warranty point.

Depending on the kiln you order from Paragon, your warranty is 3 months to 2 1/2 years. All of our products are covered for three full years. We have been in business for 16 years with many more to come. The next generation is training with us now to continue the service and quality.

We are most often reachable on weekends and after hours to serve your needs. We work when our kilns do, not 9-5. We know many only get weekends to do glass work. You may have to leave a message, but you will be helped quickly.

We are also glass workers so we use the equipment we produce and can help with a broader spectrum of issues.

Nothing like living close enough to a manufacturer that you can run it over anytime you need to without waiting for long shipping times.