how to reduce oxygen usage

James Lewis · #1 2012-04-10, 11:59am

hey everyone ive just got a midrange plus with a minor on top. I got it so i could work better with my glass and do more detailed work however. It seems like it still uses alot of oxy and i was wondering if there is anything i can do to cut that down.

Dragonharper · #2 2012-04-10, 12:40pm

For me it was a new torch, I bought a Bethlehem Bravo, compared to my old Nortel Red Rocket, it sips oxy. Oh, and a foot pedal too that extra blast of heat really helps.

Role · #3 2012-04-10, 4:38pm

Take a look at Signguy's posts about the Bravo on O2 concentrators.

For now, electricity is cheaper than tanked O2 and with 2-3 M-15s (two
M-15s for the bottom and one for the Minor) you could run your Midrange
nicely.

PerfectDeb · #4 2012-04-10, 4:55pm

stop breathing dude!

James Lewis · #5 2012-04-11, 6:41pm

the only problem with the concentrators is their about 500 a pop

Dragonharper · #6 2012-04-12, 3:03am

How much are you spending on Oxy per month? If you are only spending $20-$40 per month oxy cons don't make much sense. If you are paying $100/week they do. It all depends on how many hours a day you are at the torch and what type of work you are doing. While I could use oxy cons, I don't have the extra electric outlets, so to rewire and have my service changed is not cost effective.

James Lewis · #7 2012-04-12, 4:53pm

i can easily do about 40 every two weeks

Role · #8 2012-04-12, 5:22pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Lewis

i can easily do about 40 every two weeks

Then the math is pretty simple:

1 Year of tanked is $960.00 @$80.00 per month.

3 M-15s is $1080.00 shipped to your door + electricity.

First year pretty much pays for the concentrators and then
it is electricity only.

No tank hauling/dropping is a nice plus.

As with all things, your mileage may vary.

Dragonharper · #9 2012-04-13, 5:54am

I know that a lot of the people that do this for a living, 8-12 hrs per day at the torch, use liquid oxygen, check out http://www.talkglass.com/forum/ For these people, working with Boro and colors the purity is also an issue, and LOX is close to 100% O2. But there is a cost factor. If I recall correctly most pay around $180 for a dewar of LOX, a dewar is a cryogenic vessel that uses the evaporation of the contained liquified gas to keep it's self cool, one of the big drawbacks is that if you don't use it you loose it. But if you are working 12 hours a day or have a studio where others are working 12 hours a day, the usage of the O2 is enough to keep it cold enough to stay liquid. Also if you are doing this for a living your gas expenses are considered a manufacturing cost and are deductible as such. But, you have to be making a living at the torch.

clh · #10 2012-04-13, 6:32am

you can also look for used oxycons on craigslist or other sites. I was able to pick up a couple of 5lpm oxycons dirt cheap that way.

cheryl

LarryC · #11 2012-04-13, 7:31am

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Lewis

the only problem with the concentrators is their about 500 a pop

.....and they are not equivalent to tanked performance.

Afro1621 · #12 2012-04-13, 6:59pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryC

.....and they are not equivalent to tanked performance.

They are as a matter fact!, But you gotta have a couple linked + a holding tank! I heard of people like Trey Cornette who does his pieces this way and they come out perfect!

James Lewis · #13 2012-04-14, 6:35am

I think for now i will stick to the bottled oxy im not able to work at the torch as much as i like but at the same time i imagine using concentrated air needs alittle more experience ive only been doing glass work all together for about 6that months maybe three for boro