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-   -   Flame color on oxy con (http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312891)

nnantel 2019-12-21 1:25pm

Flame color on oxy con
 
Hi All,
I've been lurking on this site a while now and finally got my studio sufficiently "done" to melt glass and of course I need some help! Couldn't find the answer to my problem using search.

I'm running a GTT Scorpion's Bobcat center fire on an EX-20. I can melt boro easily enough but not getting the expected bright yellow sodium flare; it's orange and not painful to watch. It doesn't look like the flame I was seeing during classes, which was on tanked O2. I'm questioning the oxygen purity and whether it's even the ~92% I should get from oxy cons? The low purity light is not on and adjusting the EX-20 flow & propane doesn't help.

Any thoughts on whether this is normal for oxy cons or if there is a problem with this particular EX-20 unit? Maybe a specific color test would help? I've got lots of colors to try if someone can suggest one.

Thanks for any insight and I look forward to returning the favor in due course.

Eileen 2019-12-21 5:09pm

Were the classes using the same glass, or soda lime?
Sorry I sm not much help.

Speedslug 2019-12-21 9:59pm

First off boro is going to be much brighter/whiter than soft soda lime glass in the flame.
The yellow flare in soft glass is from the soda burning but since boro replaces soda in the glass mix you aren't going to get the same colors.

( Please don't look at either flare without proper eye protection. It doesn't take long to ruin your eyes for ever. Don't let others watch you work without it either. )

Second, oxycons will drop purity levels when you turn the output all the way to the max.
Best to run oxycons at 4.5 on a 5 LPM machine, 9 on a 10 LPM and 13 on a 15 LPM.

Even then oxycons only deliver 96 to 97 % purity at the best of times while tanked O2 from welding shops can give you 99% but you pay serious $$$ for the privilege.

Speedslug 2019-12-21 10:09pm

But I could be seriously wrong on this.

( I just watch a video that showed boro laboratory glassware being made and it had lots of the yellow flare. )

The oxycon purity level stuff should still hold from what I understand of how the things work.

ETA: And Welcome to the addiction. Try not to spend your retirement plan on glass. It lasts a long time but you still can't eat it when you stop working.

nnantel 2019-12-22 12:42pm

The classes I took were on a Nortel Minor I believe and we only did boro; that flame was unbearable up close and painful from afar. At home I can just look at it but of course I don't (using Phillips BoroTruview3.0 glasses). I've played with the flow rate and warm up time, no change.
Since I can melt the heavier boro rods and stiffer colors I can continue on my learning curve but at some point I will want the Scorpion's outer fire and I doubt I can get much out of it with the EX-20.

Speedslug 2019-12-22 5:20pm

Aye, I am a hot head and GTT Cricket kid running on 10 LPM and house hold natural gas so I only get to "rage at the machine" (1980s reference) and rage a torch in my dreams.

Good luck.

Teach me what you learn if you think of it.

AuntD 2019-12-27 4:53pm

Are you using propane or household natural gas?

nnantel 2019-12-27 6:41pm

Propane

RobertPhillips 2020-01-28 5:47am

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nnantel 2020-02-06 1:25pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertPhillips (Post 5060759)
Did you find a solution ?

Nope, just making do with what I have for now. I still have to work on not boiling some colors so there is certainly enough heat for my newbie projects.
I will get to some oxydizing color tests but first I have to put finishing touches on my work table.

Beadz Gone Wild 2020-02-07 10:07am

Go to etsy and search for pipyr. She has several tutorials for a $1.00 that can help. One is boro on a concentrator and it will give you tips on how to get great color.

Three Muses Glass 2020-02-12 7:47pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by nnantel (Post 5056879)
The classes I took were on a Nortel Minor I believe and we only did boro; that flame was unbearable up close and painful from afar. At home I can just look at it but of course I don't (using Phillips BoroTruview3.0 glasses). I've played with the flow rate and warm up time, no change.
Since I can melt the heavier boro rods and stiffer colors I can continue on my learning curve but at some point I will want the Scorpion's outer fire and I doubt I can get much out of it with the EX-20.

You might be surprised. Nothing is like tanked oxy but that torch should be fine with your EX-20. Up to a point. The difference that you're seeing is probably just that it's a different torch, different company. I use a Beth at home but have used a GTT at classes. Def a difference.

Andrey-Ksaff 2020-09-08 5:11am

only natural gas in using

Karamazov 2020-12-17 4:56am

I guess it's about fine tuning and gas quality.


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