Help The Teacher Help The Student

Ms. Booger · #1 2011-08-10, 5:51pm

We are in need of wisdom and since I am lacking - have come on bended knee requesting assistance from the folks who know.

He is learning on my National 8M and I if had to buy a new one? I would just go out and get another National 8M. But he wants to work his way up to big things and I believe he has the talent to get there in a hurry. But here is the problem...

First, what tip for a National is currently being used for boro items that are bigger than a cucumber? Is there a better torch that I simply don't know about? One that is comparable to mine in price and can stand years of torture - also like mine?

And is there a starter kit that can be combined with a kick-ass B-Day gifty torch? And don't you just get annoyed at people who just write run-on questions? He has worked all summer out in the sun and the heat - bought his own truck and will be buying this item himself. Not bad for a 16 year old neighbor with character and talent!

Meet Gavin! Future Medical Equipment Supplier! And Bead Maker Extraordinaire!
Ms. Booger

SerendipityArtGlass · #2 2011-08-10, 8:48pm

Maybe you should copy this over to the Boro Room.

Melinda · #3 2011-08-11, 12:47am

Can't help you, but I do want to thank-you for teaching this fella. A little mentorship from caring adults goes so far shaping a child's character.

krista michael · #4 2011-08-11, 9:53am

When I got mine it had (I ordered?) 2 tips. One smaller, one bigger. The big one will run on my generator fine but really kicks butt on tanked oxy. I used it to try boro and used it to make some really big hollows in 104. I have the SM21 tip that you can see on this website: http://www.sundanceglass.com/national8mtr.html

I have seen other torches in action that are far bigger and they were used for boro and I suspect they are more suited for that but to start with I'd think the 21 tip would give him a really good start on smaller things without spending a forturne. In the end he'll probably end up with a huge dragon type of flame. I was about to say that's a man thing but now that I think about it I'd love it too. The upside of the National with the larger tip, at least for me, is that it's affordable and will run on the generator. Then again, I almost always worked in 104.

Ms. Booger · #5 2011-08-12, 5:50pm

Thanks Krista. This is just the sort of info that will help him! I don't believe that a generator is going to be an option right now but we sure appreciate the pointers. Now that I am peeking at their site, I do believe there a few items listed that I would like to try too.

Nope. Not a man thing to want "big fire!"

PittsGlass · #6 2011-08-12, 6:28pm

I would ask loco about Shelbo's line of torch tips. I think he has one for every occasion, depending on the size of the cucumber

krista michael · #7 2011-08-13, 7:25pm

Sent you a pm.

ArtcoInc · #8 2011-08-14, 2:46pm

The National 8M uses interchangable tips. There are 3 different size surface-mix tips (the SM-21 is the largest), and an adapter to let you use any of the National pre-mix tips (as well as the Shelbo "Whisper Tips"). This way, you can configure the torch to suit your needs.

Plus, you can also add the 8R Rider Torch on top of the 8M, increasing the versatility of the 8M.

Malcolm

PS: We carry all of these.

http://www.artcoinc.com/national.php
(at the bottom of the page)

http://www.artcoinc.com/shelbo_tips.php