How fast do you use oxygen?

[thewildbunny]

Hi there,

I just upgraded from my QT(I wore that lil puppy out!) to a Minor. We just hooked it up today, and I was happily torching along when all the sudden my oxygen just ran out. I'd only been on the torch for maybe 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

so my question is, how long does it take to run through your oxygen? I have a bottle, that the welding shop said was a size Q (whatever that means). It's about 2.5 feet tall, and I guess they don't call the tanks by their "poundage" like they do with MAPP Gas. I just can't see that I ran through that whole tank in that short amount of time.

Any info, advice, anything, please post here. I'm stymied, and really dissapointed! I'd looked forward a a whole weekend of hassle free torching, finally!

[CmdyNTrgdy]

Sounds like an awful short period of time.

I don't use oxygen, but you may wanna check for leaks. Sounds like you have a pretty bad one.

[Kimberly Affleck]

I use the BIG tanks, too big to carry, have to roll 'em, almost shoulder height. When I was on my minor, working a minimum of 4-6 hrs per day, I would go through one of those a week. With the Baraccuda, working boro adn soft, 4-6 hours per day, they last about 4 days. Oxy goes fast. I always turn my oxy down at the torch between beads (not off, just down) while I fiddle around looking for rods and stringers, etc. Does help save a little.

[vitre]

I use maybe 1 " K " tank -- the big one, they come @ ~2400lbs pressure in about 4~5 days , workin about 4 hours a day--

Im workin on a National 8-M with an SM-21 and SM-7 Tips, and a second torch, a national 6b- with a smal OX-3 for detail works. .. !!


Have Fun Blowin'

Pouce Verre Studio
Loic

[!Karen]

Here's a link to a thread about minor's and O2 tank size & consumption.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/show...n+tank+size s

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/show...n+tank+size s

Two words for you, unless your doing boro:

oxygen concentrator

Karen

PS- I run a lynx, a total O2 hog, and was going through one of the big tanks each week, and I didn't torch every day.

[thewildbunny]

Thank you for all those links and information. I've waded my way through them, and I wonder, do the concentrators put out enough pressure to use? Do you hook it up to a regulator like you do the oxy tanks? Do you need special fittings for that?

They have used concentrators on ebay with prices ranging from $10 all the way up to $3500. I realize that most of them are used, but is there some reason why I couldn't pick up one of the used ones and try it?

[loco]

I blow through a 251 (51 inches tall without the valve) in about 4 to 5 days, limiting my torch time. I'm looking into a dewer. I'm waiting for a call back to see what the city fire department has to say. It would be nice not to have to limit my torch time.

I have used torches with an oxygen concentrator and I just don't care for the quality of the flame. So send good vibes to my city FD so they will approve a dewer.

[thewildbunny]

Sorry, Loco, I'm not familiar with a "dewer"? What's that?

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you anyway!

[loco]

It's liquid oxygen. The one I'm looking at is 160 liters or about 15 to 16 of the 251's. They MUST be used daily or they will vent off oxygen. Then I would be paying for nothing.

[rosiescreations]

You could pay for a concentrator in no time.
You can run a miner for soft glass just fine.

I got the lampworkers special here and it has paid for itsself several times over

http://www.suncoastbeads.com/page5.html

Paulette is very good to work with.

[nicker]

I go through alot of oxy at least 5-6 times more than my propane. I was had heard the flame quality of a concentrator is not as good. I wondered whether you can fill your oxy tank with a concentrator? Anyone know?

[!Karen]

A minor and one concentrator = fine for soft glass.

I have one concentrator with my lynx, and while it is fine with absolutely no complaints from me, I would need two to do boro. But since I do not do boro yet, I'm not worried about it.

Concentrator is way less $ than an oxygen generator which is lots of money.

If you're just using your minor with soft glass, you only need the concentrator from suncoastbeads.com, the lampworker special is great!

Karen

[thewildbunny]

this experience has been a total eye opener for me! Thank you everyone.

I'm bidding on a concentrator on ebay right now, keep your fingers crossed, please!