Torch to replace my Bobcat
 

My 10 year old GTT bobcat just fell apart and I suspect the cost to fix/clean the thing might be better spent buying a new torch.

I mostly work with effetre and dabble in boro but for smaller pieces < 2".

I have an oxycon at 8lpm and a bbq propane tank.

I wouldn't mind having the options of a pin point or a bushy flame in addition to the normal flame.

I'm thinking the nortel mega minor would work but I was wondering if anyone had other recommendations to research?

jgraff

Please look seriously at the Bethlehem Alpha. It is a GEM of a torch!

Move up to a Gtt Lynx. You wont be disappointed

A Lynx will need more oxygen to run close to potential, although I suspect many people use them on one concentrator. I also think they are out of stock most places and could be hard to find right now. However, if you post in some of the Facebook groups, somebody would probably be willing to let one go. One just sold this week in one.

I wanted to send my Bobcat for cleaning, but it was $125 plus shipping, and a new Bobcat is $175, and I can pick one up in Asheville next time I am there. But I love my Bobcat. I use it most instead of the Midrange, Alpha, or Lynx. I guess I am just most familiar with it over the others.

Janet, you say it fell apart - seems drastic! What fell off?

The weld between the torch and the stand failed. I went to brush off some dirt and the torch fell off the stand. Good thing it wasn't lit!

jgraff

Would the lynx on 8lpm give me something over the bobcat? I love my bobcat. Would the lynx give me different flame characteristics? I was hoping for a torch that would help with some small sculptural work. Which is why I was looking for a torch with a small pinpoint flame as well as a large bushy flame in addition to the regular bobcat flame.

jgraff

I have never used one that way, so can’t say. I think it was an M20 on the one I used.

Wow! But maybe somebody local could fix that? I would for sure send GTT some pictures and ask them if there is any risk to having Joe The Welder tackle it. A Bobcat should last way more than 10 years.

I've sent an email to gtt@glasstorchtech.com asking for how much it would cost to repair but I haven't received a reply yet. Is there a better email to use?

jgraff

I would just call them. 570-835-9777

Yay! They got back to me, now I need to box the torch up. One problem. It's been on it's hoses for more than 10 years. I'm assuming they are barbed connections. What's the easiest way to remove the red and green hoses from the connectors? My bare hands aren't working. I used a pair of adjustable pliers to get the hose to rotate on the barbed connector. But I'm not making any progress getting the hoses off the connectors!

Help!
Thanks!
jgraff

I slice mine off - sacrificing about 1” of hose. Mine are raw hose ends shoved onto the barbs an c-clamped.

Yeah, the only successful way I've ever got the hoses off was to cut them. You do lose a little hose in the process, but its better than spending hours trying to get the clamps off by hand.

Congrats on getting GTT to fix it for you!

From what i saw the lynx is Awesome, I just started and didnt have 475 for a lynx so i got a bobcat and love it, if i had the money and they werent back ordered i would have gotten a lynx triple mix is the shit!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I HATED the Lynx I had.

Flame was way too focused.

I bought an Alpha for less than half the price of the Lynx.
I have been blissfully happy with the Alpha.

Old thread, but since it was bumped up, ^ this. GTT are horrid at customer relations. I was told 1 1/2 years ago I'd get an email when my bobcat was done. I gave up trying to get an answer from them, I never sent money so no loss. Bought an Alpha and it's better imo.

Thank you all for your advice. It turned out my torch was not practical to repair so I bought a new torch. It's been a while and I am extremely happy with my new Bobcat. Customer support was fantastic and friendly. The new torch works great!

Thanks for updating! I also love my Bobcat.