tanked oxygen vs. concentrator

[hannahbeads]

I work on a minor with tanked oxygen. How does this compare to the amount of heat you would get on the minor with a concentrator. I am considering trying some boro, but don't want to invest in the glass if it won't work with my set up

Thanks

[playswithfire104]

You get more heat with tanked O2.

[jamie lynne]

I first ran my minor on tanked oxy and propane. I worked boro and had success with small beads, pendants and marbles. I am now on a 5lpm concentrator and I sold all of my boro because I didn't have enough heat to do much more than make beads I didn't seem to have enough power to get the striking colors hot enough to do their thing, the solid plain colors wern't a problem, but I have a thing for DAP and AP. I KNOW that there are people that do work boro with just a 5lpm, I just found it to maddening.

[hannahbeads]

How big of a sculpture (or bead) can you make with the minor/tanked oxy?

[jamie lynne]

I made a marble that was about an inch and a half diameter. But the color sucked cause I didn't have enough heat to get it to work right even on tanked o2 (cause it was sooo big for that torch) I made 1- 1 1/2 in implosion pendants that worked ok, And a bit larger than spacer beads, that was how I got best results. On my tanked o2 heat wasn't really the issue, it was the size of my flame, it wasn't large enough (broad enough) to do big stuff and have it work right... but again basic colors are a different story, and I have a thing for DAP and AP. they need a lot of heat.

[hannahbeads]

Obviously I know nothing about boro, but what is DAP and AP and what do they do?

[jamie lynne]

Double amber purple, and amber purple. They are a striking glass, they need special treatment in the flame to get them to do their thing. The other colors like red, orange, etc are like crayons what you see is what you get. There are a lot of colors out there that need special treatment in the flame to get the best results, but those two are my favorite.

[hannahbeads]

So they work like the 104 silver striking colors?

[jamie lynne]

Kinda. I learned how to strike boro first then applied that to my 104 (might be why I insist I need to nuke my 104 colors), same concept, but I think most prefer to let the kiln strike the AP's.

[hannahbeads]

Where would you suggest buying a first batch of boro colors and which are the "must haves"?

[jamie lynne]

Get a sample of momkas, and northstar, and GA I got mine from ABR. It helps you figure out what you will like or not like before you go blow a bunch of money. Be sure to pick up some clear rod and tube while you are there.