Upgrading from Hothead, what torch do or don't I want?

maren · #1 2011-05-11, 12:50am

Hi all,

I don't post outside the Bathroom and the Game Room often these days, so please forgive me if I kinda barge in here.

I'm a perpetual newbie at this time and my glass control sucks (but has gotten better) and my heat control is worse. I don't want to melt boro in the foreseeable future.

The three torches I thought about the most are the Minor, Cricket and Bobcat.

I PMed Kalera last night (she is the one here who I have known the longest) and part of her recommendation (I won't tell you the rest to not preempt suggestions) was to post in the forums. I checked the tips and techniques and the torch questions forums (and will post there too, in one of them ), and didn't find anything recent that would apply to me. I took a class (3 years ago) on a minor and I'm not really sure it would offer me a lot over the Hothead I got (other than the noise of the torch going away, but there's the added noise of the oxycon, the class was using tanks). When the Cricket first came out I was sure I wanted one but I'm not so sure anymore after what I have read in the meantime. Another one I have thought about is the Bobcat.

I'm getting Mary Miller's (used) Invacare 5 and we had a long conversation about torches among other things. She told me "you don't want a Minor, you'd be buying a new torch on 6 months" (and I can see that, even 3 years later). She loved her 'mini max' and was sorry for me that she already sold it.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,
Maren

Lea Zinke · #2 2011-05-11, 2:29am

Hi Maren! I use (and have used for last 12 years) the GTT torches, first a Bobcat and now a Lynx. Originally purchased GTT because of reputation of clean burning, etc. and overall dependability. That said, I would do the same today.

JMTC!
Lea

cc2 · #3 2011-05-11, 6:22am

I went from the hothead to a minor, then to a lynx. I am happy with the lynx. I chose GTT because they have a good solid reputation. Anything goes wrong with the torch you can send it to them for repairs.

Kbinkster has a presence here on LE making it nice if you have a quick question.

evvybuns · #4 2011-05-11, 9:30am

If you feel that you're still struggling with controlling the glass and the heat but want to move on from a Hot Head, a Minor would fill the bill for your next phase.

My torch evolution started with a Hot Head, moved on to a used Minor with a 5-lpm oxycon, then to a Cricket (eventually upgrading to an 8-lpm oxycon), and now to a four-stud Scorpion.

For me, the difference between a Hot Head and a Minor was huge! Given that your class on the Minor was three years ago, I bet you'll see a big difference now. In my small experience, the noise from an oxycon varies between makes. My old 5-lpm Devilbiss is really loud compared to the EX-15 8-lpm, which just purrs quietly. I'm just about to replace the Devilbiss with another EX-15.

If you're feeling like a perpetual newbie, just get a used Minor to get comfortable with a propane/oxygen-mix torch.

Lara · #5 2011-05-11, 9:46am

A minor is a perfectly good torch and you likely would be on it for years. A lot of beadmaker have been using it for a long time and all classes I have taken have been on a minor.

That being said when I moved up from the HH to a big girl torch, I choose the mini CC. I choose this because the heat was a little wider in the flame. I really like my torch and have been happy with the results.

lenora · #6 2011-05-11, 9:58am

I can only speak from my personal experience, but I think you would be happy with a Minor or a Cricket.

maren · #7 2011-05-11, 4:06pm

Thank you for posting here, those who did. I find it interesting that I got some comments in the bathroom that are apparently contradictory, about torches working well or not working well on 5 lpm. Are these different opinions depending in what people expect?

Alaska · #8 2011-05-11, 5:57pm

A Cricket is designed for low oxygen use. One with a single 5 lpm unit and propane will work fine. Had been using that setup for boro. Adding a 2nd concentrator at the same psi does make the Cricket come alive.

If you desire a broader flame, consider the Scorpion with an inner and outer ring. However there is a very significant price point difference. It will require two concentrators and will run very nice on three with propane. Two if NG.

Now use the Scorpion on natural gas at 1/2 psi. It would run hotter on propane at 5 psi.

squid · #9 2011-05-11, 6:11pm

I would get a cricket if you are using a single 5 lpm machine. I have used both a minor and a cricket and prefer the cricket.

Lara · #10 2011-05-11, 7:15pm

I'll add that my mini cc is being used on a concentrator.

Rimfeld · #11 2011-06-08, 1:29am

The cricket is a great little torch and GTT is a good company. I like that the torch does not get hot so you can touch the upper part of the barrel without getting burned just don't touch the tip of the barrel. I hold my hand next to the barrel to steady my hand for stringer work.

kissmyglassjackie · #12 2011-06-09, 11:53am

I think if you are moving from a hot head that you would like the mini cc the best. I worked on a hot head for three years and moved to mini and I love it. I teach on it and use it in my personal studio. The flame is bushier and more powerful that a mini or the cricket. I could upgrade but for my work it is perfect and has been for many years. I use a concentrator with it. that said, if you go cheaper and use a minor , it will still be a significant upgrade from a hot head.

maren · #13 2011-06-09, 7:02pm

Sorry, I have just kept reading more opinions. I probably should have posted that in the meantime I have ordered and gotten a Cricket, got it set up but not lit it yet (life got in the way, as so often).

I know that I'm not the only one who is in this position at this time, so I'm sure more comments will be read by more people too.

Thank you all!