Lampwork Etc.
 
Mountain Glass Arts

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat


Donate via PayPal to donate@lampworketc.com

Beads of Courage


 

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

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

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 2011-08-29, 12:00pm
tiptrinket's Avatar
tiptrinket tiptrinket is offline
tiptrinket
 
Join Date: Jul 07, 2007
Location: Knoxville
Posts: 263
Default Your Torch

If you were buying a torch now after having owned one, would you buy the same one? Why or why not?
I need help deciding which one I want.
Tippy
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2011-08-29, 12:15pm
Janell's Avatar
Janell Janell is offline
Janell
 
Join Date: Jan 29, 2006
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 216
Default

Yes I would still buy a Lynx, it is an awesome torch
__________________
...~~Peace~~...


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
[url]
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2011-08-29, 2:14pm
loribeads's Avatar
loribeads loribeads is offline
rainbowchasingtimewaster
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: Willow Glen, CA
Posts: 4,457
Default

I have a Lynx and a Minor. I would buy both again.

ETA: I was not happy at all with the Lynx on a 5lpm concentrator. Once I got an 8lpm concentrator, it performed much better and I have been very happy with it ever since.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Lori Peterson - Try telling a Dachshund no and you will understand the true meaning of futility.

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.
*
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.
*
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.
*f
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.

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.

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.

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

Last edited by loribeads; 2011-09-06 at 5:22pm. Reason: extra info
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2011-08-29, 3:05pm
Deb Hopeful Journeys's Avatar
Deb Hopeful Journeys Deb Hopeful Journeys is offline
Cancer SUCKS!
 
Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 5,083
Default

Fyi, there is a bulk buy going on in the garage sale bulk buy area on GTT torches.

I have a minor and now a Cricket. The cricket really sings with a 5 lpm concentrator. Still wanting to go bigger though, lol A girl can dream right.
__________________
Deb in MN


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.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2011-08-29, 3:12pm
Little Brushy's Avatar
Little Brushy Little Brushy is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 01, 2008
Location: North Central Arkansas
Posts: 578
Default

I have a Minor and a Lynx. I love them both.
__________________
Beth W. ----- Lynx and two 10 lpm oxycons

"I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by." Douglas Adams
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2011-08-29, 3:16pm
NLC Beads's Avatar
NLC Beads NLC Beads is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 01, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 7,458
Default

Worked extensively on a Hot Head, Minor, and just started with a Piranha. Thumbs up all around.
__________________


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.
:~
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.
:~ Nikki ~:
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.
~:
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.


"...living hopefully ever after..." -john lennon
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2011-08-29, 3:20pm
FosterFire's Avatar
FosterFire FosterFire is offline
SCIENCE Teacher!
 
Join Date: Jul 19, 2005
Location: Wylie, TX
Posts: 2,140
Default

Minor Burner. It's like Timex, takes a lickin', keeps on tickin'.
__________________
Yes, I am FosterFire Bead Release.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2011-08-29, 3:23pm
Polgarra's Avatar
Polgarra Polgarra is offline
Nikki Haverstock
 
Join Date: Oct 10, 2010
Location: NW Colorado
Posts: 1,686
Default

I have only ever used a minor (ok well a hothead but I mean oxy/fuel torches) and I like it a lot.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2011-08-29, 3:34pm
LarryC LarryC is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 07, 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,023
Default

Yup. GTT mirage.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2011-08-29, 3:40pm
Alex9 Alex9 is offline
Flaming Redhead!
 
Join Date: Jul 18, 2006
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 573
Default

I have a Minor, a Mega Minor and a Cheetah. The Minor is an absolute workhorse and you can't go wrong buying one. The Mega Minor...meh, probably wouldn't waste my time buying another if I had to. Ok torch if you start on it but for an upgrade it wasn't much of a difference from the Minor. The Cheetah...oh yeh, I'd buy again and again. That torch does everything from fine pin point flame to bushy...melts boro like it's butter and is very quiet.

Am I looking for a bigger torch? Always...upgrading is a good thing. But really, I haven't found anything I like as much as the Cheetah so for now I'm sticking with it.

I think the real question is...what do you want the torch to do? Pin point flame for fine detail work? Bushy flame for larger, sculptural pieces? That would make a difference in what torches you'd want more info on.
__________________

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.


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


A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.
- John Keats
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2011-08-29, 3:50pm
shawnette's Avatar
shawnette shawnette is offline
I fart diamonds
 
Join Date: Jun 14, 2005
Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
Posts: 3,893
Default

I've had a MiniCC, Lynx, Cheetah, Baracuda, Cricket (2), and Phantom. I would buy another Minicc if the price was really good. It's not a bad torch but I work on oxy cons and there are other more efficient torches out there. I would ONLY buy another Cheetah or Baracuda if they were super cheap. Again, not bad torches, but the Cheetah is an oxy hog and anything I can do on a Cheetah, I can do on a Lynx. Actually, I probably wouldn't buy another Cheetah. The Baracuda is ok but doesn't have that deep thrusting heat like the GTT torches (that sounds dirty). I freakin' LOVE my Crickets! Super hot on limited oxygen and contrary to popular belief, you can work fairly large on them. The Cricket is an awesome small torch. My heart still bleeds for my Phantom which I was forced to sell for financial reasons. I'm currently lusting for a Sidewinder, though. (also GTT)
__________________
-Shawnette
the original "everybody get a grip" girl

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.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2011-08-29, 4:29pm
houptdavid's Avatar
houptdavid houptdavid is offline
honorary bead lady
 
Join Date: Jan 14, 2008
Location: Mostly the doghouse
Posts: 5,180
Default

I bought a used Major/minor, would I buy it again... NOPE! I only use the minor on top, the torch is old technology, you either have a little flame or a huge flame. I do love the minor as it has a bushier flame than the cricket.
__________________
David
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2011-08-29, 4:45pm
Northern Heron Northern Heron is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 15, 2006
Location: shores of Gitchee Gummi
Posts: 209
Default

I LOVE my Lynx. I am looking for a back up now & though the Scorpion is awesome, I more need a Cricket.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2011-08-29, 4:48pm
cheng076's Avatar
cheng076 cheng076 is offline
Curmudgeon Engineering
 
Join Date: Feb 15, 2006
Location: Near Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,723
Default

Herbie 55mm, Mini CC, 8M, Baracuda, Tiger Shark, Mirage, Kabuki.

Would I buy them again?
Herbie - no, I never use it, not particularly good for my style work
Mini CC - maybe, its a nice little bead torch
8M - no, it was my first oxy/fuel torch
Baracuda - yes if priced right, workhorse for a year or so
Tiger Shark - no as I never used it, got in a trade
Mirage - Hell yes, one of the greatest torches around
Kabuki - Damn Right! more torch than I need at the moment but a dream torch none the less.

PJH
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 2011-08-29, 4:54pm
DesertDreamer's Avatar
DesertDreamer DesertDreamer is offline
Ad astra per aspera
 
Join Date: Jun 15, 2005
Location: Apache Junction AZ
Posts: 7,324
Default

I spent one week with a HH, scared me silly and was so slow.
Spent my first 4 years on a Minor, and was mostly content.
I've had my Midrange Plus (with premix on top) ever since...11 years and going strong. I love it.
IF I were doing more boro, and had the money to boost my NG pressure and either go back to tanked or get a bigger generator, I would jump on a Carlisle Hellcat. I got to play with one at GlassStock a few years ago and fell madly in love. Alas, it's just not meant to be.
__________________
Karen Sherwood

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 2011-08-29, 5:03pm
Shrimp's Avatar
Shrimp Shrimp is offline
And silence is golden
 
Join Date: Oct 05, 2005
Location: The Shrimp Shack
Posts: 3,230
Default

We have a Minor, Cricket and a Hothead. The Minor and the Cricket have their own special characteristics. Depending on what you like as far as a flame goes, they are both great torches. I'd buy either of them again. Moving up to a Bobcat one of these days.
__________________
~The Mango Queen~
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 2011-08-29, 5:54pm
SilverRiverJewelry's Avatar
SilverRiverJewelry SilverRiverJewelry is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 15, 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,035
Default

I moved from a HH to a Cricket. I need to add a second concentrator for the boro but I am quite happy with the torch itself.
__________________
Sonja

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
  #18  
Old 2011-08-29, 5:56pm
labelleperle's Avatar
labelleperle labelleperle is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 30, 2009
Location: Perth, West Australia
Posts: 278
Default

Love my cricket! Have used a HH (bleeughgh!) and a minor as well. The minor is great, but on an oxycon I think the cricket has the edge. In the future, think I would like a Scorpion, but would need a bigger oxycon, so have to wait until I'm cashed up.
__________________
It's not about having what you want - it's wanting what you have.
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.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 2011-08-29, 6:05pm
echeveria's Avatar
echeveria echeveria is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 31, 2006
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 2,210
Default

Tippy, you can come over this weekend and try a Bobcat and a Cricket if you want.
__________________
Kathy
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 2011-08-29, 7:31pm
alb6094's Avatar
alb6094 alb6094 is offline
I'm kinda biz-EE
 
Join Date: Aug 08, 2007
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 3,610
Default

I went from a HH to my mini-CC. I would buy it again in a heartbeat, I love my torch! I can get a wide variety of flame sizes from pinpoint to bushy and I've never had any problems with it at all. That said I use tanked oxy and not a concentrator and don't plan to change anytime soon.
__________________
Astrid


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.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 2011-08-29, 7:57pm
Baywinger's Avatar
Baywinger Baywinger is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 06, 2011
Location: SF bay area
Posts: 1,470
Default

I have A GTT Cheetah I love this torch I can make any thing from a 1/4 inch soft glass bead to a 2 1/4 inch boro marble and that is not even running it wide open.
I do not use an oxycon so I do not have any oxygen issues as for being an oxygen hog it uses a fraction compared to the wildcat I was lent.
Yes I would buy again. My wife uses a mega minor which is the first torch we owned yes we would buy that again. the big difference between the mega minor and minor torch is that the mega minor is better for both 104 and 33 coe glass. I was able to make 11/4 boro marbles on the mega minor while the minor I tried was just not hot enough
__________________
Morgan
Bethlehem Champion
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.


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.
#C-151
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 2011-08-29, 8:01pm
eross eross is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 30, 2005
Location: Montville, NJ. About 35 miles from Manhattan
Posts: 765
Default

Took classes on a minor and bought a mini cc and a M15 oxy-con when I set up my home studio a few years ago, but now i'm dreaming of something bigger!

Liz
__________________
"If you don't have the time to do it right, When will you find the time to do it over"

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
  #23  
Old 2011-08-29, 8:02pm
Hayley's Avatar
Hayley Hayley is offline
da General
 
Join Date: Oct 05, 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 13,002
Default

Outgrew the Bobcat and upgrade to a Barracuda. Never looked back. LOVE my Cuda! I took it to use at Loren Stump's class and it melts GINORMOUS murrine perfectly fine. AND the inner fire is hotter and wider than the Bobcat for my large beads.

Now Bethlehem replaced it with the Bravo which is supposed to be hotter and more oxy/fuel efficient so I would love to try one!

I teach on Minors and Cricket a lot - nothing compares to the Cuda, imho!
__________________
Hayley


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.
|
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.
|
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
  #24  
Old 2011-08-29, 8:20pm
VivianLampwork's Avatar
VivianLampwork VivianLampwork is offline
http://youtu.be/nGt9jAkWi
 
Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Cullman, Alabama
Posts: 2,838
Default

I've had:

HH - no would not get another because it's not hot enough.
Mini CC - really good torch
Bobcat - nice torch
Pirahna - awesome torch
Barracuda - Love it & would buy again. (this is the torch I use now)

This is what I would love to have >> http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...=191292&page=3
__________________

Vivian


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.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 2011-08-29, 8:44pm
Dog Squeez Dog Squeez is offline
Capitalist Pig
 
Join Date: Aug 10, 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 286
Default

Mirage; fantastic torch. Probably the most versatile (sp) torchs made.
__________________
Brian

"Comrades! We must abolish the cult of the individual decisively, once and for all." [Nikita Khrushchev , February 25, 1956 20th Congress of the Communist Party]

"We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society." [Hillary Clinton, 1993]
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 2011-08-29, 9:15pm
PerfectDeb's Avatar
PerfectDeb PerfectDeb is offline
Unmedicated since '62
 
Join Date: Jan 18, 2009
Location: Hunter Valley, Australia
Posts: 5,907
Default

i used a hothead for about 20min - er no thanks

i've had a minor for two years, never skips a beat

i think if i change it will be a scorpion but i really want to play with some torches first
__________________
Deb

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.
- my 17yo sons first novel


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.
- download, get organised, enjoy
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 2011-08-29, 9:26pm
Gelly's Avatar
Gelly Gelly is offline
Smile, it's contagious!
 
Join Date: Oct 31, 2005
Location: Location: Location
Posts: 4,938
Default

I have a Hothead and its the only torch I've ever tried.

Would I buy it again? Yes I would... I am a starving artist and its the only torch I can afford.

I think I'd like a cricket or a minicc, but can't ever seem to save up for the torch, oxycon, hoses, regulator, etc.
__________________
Squid says I'm a special kind of Bithc.
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.

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.

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.


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.

Some people are like a Slinky... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 2011-08-30, 1:00am
Kym Kym is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 18, 2006
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 1,528
Default

I have had a lynx (couldn't get a big enough oxycon for it) but on tanked it was wonderful.
A Betta which is as good as a cricket on the same fuel.
A minor, a workhorse, reliable and just keeps going on.
A cricket, I like but would like a bigger flame now.
A mini CC which belongs to Liz De Luca and I like that too....maybe more than the minor.

Kym
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 2011-08-30, 7:07am
Rare_Ale's Avatar
Rare_Ale Rare_Ale is offline
BaZinga!
 
Join Date: Oct 26, 2009
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 328
Default

I have a HH which I used for about a year and a Nortel Mid Range. I would not buy the MidRange again. I want a torch that I can adjust the flame. I can't do it on this one.
__________________
~Amber

Genius Prayer: God, grant me the courage to change the things I cannot accept; serenity to accept the things I've changed, and the wisdom to know I'm different. -S. Pastis
Nortel Mid-Range, tanked O2 and propane, GlassHive kiln
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 2011-08-30, 3:31pm
crystalflipz's Avatar
crystalflipz crystalflipz is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 15, 2005
Location: Eastern West Virginia
Posts: 2,936
Default

Started with a Hot Head, moved to a Piranha - which I absolutely LOVE - also have a Cricket but have gone back to using the Piranha as my primary torch. If I were to upgrade to a larger torch, I would go with either a Barracuda or a Bravo. I've had nothing but great experiences both with my Piranha and with Bethlehem's customer service.
__________________
Carol O. (Cricket with 5 lpm oxycon)
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start" John Bingham

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.

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.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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 4:45am.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 52.54.103.76