OMG: Despite very sore fingers I decided to make a few beads at lunch (I can't stand being away from the torch for too long) and I couldn't figure out why they were coming out all wrong, i.e. rods taking too long to melt, beads turning funny colors, etc. I also noticed that the flame stayed really weak no matter how much I turned up the torch (I'm trying out a Fireworks torch right now). At first I thought the canister was running out of fuel, but NOOOOO!
I had the air holes covered!!!
That's it, I'm done for the day.