Hi all!

[tom z]

And yet another newbie to lampworking and your site! My name is tom and I've been a moretti addict for about five weeks now. I took a short class on beads and got hooked, its so fun! Anyways, I'm a neon glass blower for my day job, so I'm very used to fire, hot glass, and burnt fingers-arms-hair-etc. Nuff' about me, now onto my question!
On my budget I'll be buying one piece of equipment at a time, over time. My first step, I bought a carlisle mini cc. I like it alot.. Since I don't have an oxy set up yet, is it possible to run this torch with propane and forced air? Thats how neon torches are set up and it would be easy for me to keep on beadin' until I can get a concentrator. I've tried briefly with a fish aqarium air pump and a tank of gas but could not get a good mix, guess I'm just looking for advise and experience if anyone else has tried it like this. I do beads on my neon cross fires everyday, but my boss is starting to get crabby about it, time to do beads at home!
Thanks for reading my ramble!
tom

[Lenda]

Well Tom, welcome to WC!

I'm sorry to say that I can't answer your question about propane and forced air, I use oxy tanks. Someone I'm sure will come along and have an answer for you though!:D

[Dale_M]

Welcome...

You are not going to have much success on propane and air... You are only going to get a temp of about 3000f in flame (if you can get proper flame) and it going to get a long slow process to really melt the glass because of small heat volume. You might as well get a Hot Head or Fireworks/Quiet torch.

With your neon torches you have a large volume of heat in massive area. Lampwork uses higher temp heat in small concentrated area by comparison.

Propane and oxygen is going to get you up to the 5000f. heat band where you want to be.

Dale

[BillBrach]

Compressed air will work IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TORCH.

A Carlise Mini CC is not the right torch. There are small (unknown in the US) companies abroad that make torches specifically for use with air. I cannot remember the torch name that I've seen but I think it came out of the Czech. Republic or Austria.

The tip has to be designed for air, as much more air is required, because it is only 20% oxygen. Also, all the nitrogen in the air causes a much lower flame temp as Dale pointed out, because it cools the flame.

I have used a National 3A on air, with the right tip. It was VERY easy to burn the glass, so I don't think heat is a problem.

[Tink]

I have always been fascinated with neon. I'd love to see some of your work! I got some glass tubing from a local neon shop, but they just looked at me funny when I asked what COE it was. I seem to recall reading somewhere that it's probably soft glass, of some sort... With lead, maybe?

I have plans to try my hand at plasma sculpture when I think I'm ready.

Welcome to WC!

[StefaniBeads]

The Mini CC is supposed to be a workhorse for a little torch! I read an excellent review of this torch on the Glassline forum. This is one of the bench burners on my list to consider for my upgrade in the future.

If you decide to try some boro work with it, let me know how it goes! :)

[tom z]

thanks for the welcome!
Well, actually I figured I'd need to get the oxy, just wishful thinking on the air!
With neon I make signs to put food on the table, but the art is what keeps me bending. I'm not very good at posting pictures, but I'll try. It's aprox. six feet tall and my first attempt a 3-D neon. I know its kinda goofy, but I guess I'm kinda goofy, so...

[Green glass studio]

Hi tom glad to see someone making beads from my area, I live in Madison, Wi too, so if you want pm me and we can exchange numbers or get together sometime and show off beads or get glass or whatever. WC is a great resource for any questions you have- especially Val Cox she knows everything.

[Jamn!]

Welcome! I just love making beads too!
That's a pretty big neon sculpture!! lol

Did you say it was over 6 feet tall?? Wow! I don't think its goofy I think its pretty cool especially for Halloween!

Heidi