Lampwork Etc.
 
TrueDesign

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat


Frantz Art Glass & Supply

Glacial Art Glass


 

Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Tips, Techniques, and Questions

Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 2012-02-28, 11:56am
maudemailly maudemailly is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 28, 2012
Posts: 3
Default inconsistent flame help?

Hello,

I am having trouble with a wildly inconsistent flame and am looking for some advice. I use a Minor Torch and an oxygen concentrator. My problem is that the propane will go from being very low to very high in a second. The beads I just made are all garbage and I am very annoyed. Why is this happening?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2012-02-28, 12:54pm
RSimmons's Avatar
RSimmons RSimmons is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 01, 2005
Posts: 2,159
Default

Does it go back to normal without any adjustments? How old is your concentrator and what output do you have it set for? What kind of regulator do you have on your propane?

Robert
__________________
Robert Simmons
(Former) Director for Bead Donations
Beads of Courage, Inc.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2012-02-28, 1:37pm
maudemailly maudemailly is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 28, 2012
Posts: 3
Default

Thanks for your help.
I have a regulator from Wale. Not sure of any model name or number. My concentrator is a Devilbiss and is several years old. Yes, it will go back to normal, but is very hard to keep constant. It will go from way too much propane to way too little.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2012-02-28, 2:46pm
debiweiss debiweiss is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 15, 2007
Location: Central N.J.
Posts: 322
Default

When this was happening to me it turned out to be the concentrator.. I have a DeVillbiss as well got it fixed and no more issues
Debi
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2012-02-28, 7:39pm
maudemailly maudemailly is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 28, 2012
Posts: 3
Default

Hmmm. I just ran it with no concentrator and it was a nice, consistent flame. Where did you have your concentrator serviced? I am in NY so I may need the same place you used.
Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2012-02-28, 9:15pm
EchoTantuli's Avatar
EchoTantuli EchoTantuli is offline
Artistically Absorbed
 
Join Date: Jul 27, 2007
Location: Emerald City
Posts: 546
Default

One of the guys over in the boro section helped me with this a few years ago. Is it kind of like your torch is breathing? He told me that the regulators we use really don't work as well at low pressures, and to set my gas pressure on the guage at 10psi, and adjust the flame at the torch. I haven't had the problem since. Just a thought it may help.
-Echo
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Believe in Yourself and Anything is Possible!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
SRA Artist A64

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2012-02-29, 6:04am
SilverReflections's Avatar
SilverReflections SilverReflections is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 28, 2005
Posts: 468
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by EchoTantuli View Post
One of the guys over in the boro section helped me with this a few years ago. Is it kind of like your torch is breathing? He told me that the regulators we use really don't work as well at low pressures, and to set my gas pressure on the guage at 10psi, and adjust the flame at the torch. I haven't had the problem since. Just a thought it may help.
-Echo
I've had the same problem and ended up finally replacing my propane regulator which fixed the problem and try to keep my propane above 5psi. I have the cheap regulator so I expect I'll need to replace it again at some point.

Tina
__________________
Tina Beachy
Silver Reflections

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2012-02-29, 6:54am
RSimmons's Avatar
RSimmons RSimmons is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 01, 2005
Posts: 2,159
Default

Try running your concentrator at a lower flow rate. If you've got it maxed out and the sieve beds are getting old then you are losing oxygen purity. This will make you flame appear to pulse. I've got an older 5 lpm concentrator that runs find as long as I keep it at 3 lpm or less, anything higher and the flame pulses. Bumping up the propane pressure just a bit is a good suggestion as well.

Robert
__________________
Robert Simmons
(Former) Director for Bead Donations
Beads of Courage, Inc.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 6:29pm.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 3.90.205.166