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2008-10-20, 8:08pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 15, 2005
Location: Eastern West Virginia
Posts: 2,936
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I so want to go up to Hagerstown and camp out at the UPS depot tonight! My Cricket is on its way from GTT and should be to Hagerstown in the morning. I'll just save them the rest of the trip. Kids have already been told that if I'm not home when the UPS guy comes and they don't get to the door in time to sign for the box (mind you they are 17 and 19 yrs) it will not be pretty when I get home Can't wait
__________________
Carol O. (Cricket with 5 lpm oxycon)
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start" John Bingham
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2008-10-20, 8:42pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 26, 2006
Location: Vancouver Washington
Posts: 3,986
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beckah
I was working Bullseye and I was probably about 4-6 inches out in the flame.
Thanks for the help. I'll give this a try. I'll have to try and get a better idea of how long my candles are.
I'm pretty much moving from a MiniCC to the Cricket. I also got a Betta last month right before the Cricket was announed. But I only used the Betta once. The Cricket flame is significantly different from the MiniCC. I wanted a more focused flame for boro work because I found the MiniCC to be very fluffy on NG. I like the Cricket flame. It is radiant without being excessively fluffy. And the pinpoint flame on the Cricket is vastly superior to the MiniCC pinpoint. But I'll probably switch the Betta back in this weekend to test drive it a bit more to see what I think.
Thanks again for your helpful hints
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I would love to hear what you think the differaces are between the betta and the cricket. I have the betta and would love to know if the cricket is hotter
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Lori
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2008-10-20, 9:54pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 11, 2006
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 309
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lunamoonshadow
....only folks who haven't ordered &/or can't afford can whine! (*giggle*--totally kidding here!)
YOU are allowed to STALK the postal service & UPS drivers though!!
~luna
hauling some jewelry to a show this weekend...sharing a bit of table space in exchange for a % & hauling tables.... some stuff sells...
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Hope your show went well, ours last weekend was about half the sales as last years.
Robyn
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2008-10-21, 9:08am
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Butterfly Rancher
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Join Date: May 08, 2006
Location: Colorado newbie
Posts: 5,827
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bead crazy
I would love to hear what you think the differaces are between the betta and the cricket. I have the betta and would love to know if the cricket is hotter
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I haven't used either my Cricket or my Betta much yet but here are my first impressions.
First of all, I'm using 1/4 PSI natural gas. I think this is now the biggest limiting factor in my set-up and I think it prevents all my torches from showing their best stuff
Boro -- I like the Cricket and Betta equally for working boro on my set-up. I think both torches are working better than my MiniCC for boro on my set-up. However, it takes a bit of time to work boro on the Cricket, Betta and MiniCC. I did a class where I worked boro on a Minor that was powered with tanked propane and tanked O2 and it took some time on that set-up as well.
So I'm now at the point of deciding how much I want to work boro. I have a 10LPM oxygen concentrator which I understand would power a GTT Lynx if I switched to propane. I guess I'm coming to the conclusion that if I want to work boro on a regular rather than occasional basis that I'd probably be happiest upping my fuel PSI and moving up to the next level of torch. I just don't think I have the patience level that is needed to work boro on the entry level torches. And I'm regretting buying the Betta rather than going for a Lynx since they're in the same price range.
Soft glass -- I haven't worked much soft glass yet with the Betta but once again, on my particular set-up, I think the Betta and Cricket are pretty much the same.
I think the Cricket is much cuter than the Betta. And if I was looking to buy a first torch or move up from a Hot Head, I think the Cricket is absolutely the way to go. I personally like the flame characteristics of the Cricket much better than the MiniCC. The Cricket flame can be fluffy but it's not too fluffy and when the Cricket is in pinpoint, it is a penetrating point which I like much better than the MiniCC's pinpoint.
__________________
Torch connected to NG December 2005 and disconnected March 2013 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
May 2014 -- Good-bye Florida and Hello Colorado
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2008-10-21, 12:43pm
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Pyromaniac
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Join Date: Aug 12, 2006
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 1,868
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__________________
Lana
Sexy Barracuda and Mirage
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2008-10-21, 12:53pm
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I need more boro stuff
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Join Date: May 10, 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,672
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OMG Lana!!! I envy you...
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Yunita
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2008-10-21, 9:48pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 11, 2006
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 309
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Oooooo .....the Pink Panther is on the way................i cant hardly stand it ...............
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2008-10-22, 7:29pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 11, 2006
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 309
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O M G ............ its in Lexington ...........is sched to be delivered tomorrow.........cant wait to touch it will post pix tomorrow night
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2008-10-24, 7:10pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 11, 2006
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 309
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Wow, 2 days UPS ground, that is the quickest shipping ground I have ever gotten. Anyway it is here and is just BEAUTIFUL!
Robyn
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2008-10-24, 8:20pm
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Know-it-all Megalomaniac
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Join Date: Oct 22, 2005
Location: Californication
Posts: 6,282
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Got my sparkly purple one today.
Early Birthday present (just let my hubby know ).
Gonna hook it up tomorrow and play!
__________________
Copyright holder on round beads
Get your copy of the new Lampwork Etc. Tutorials and Tips Book
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2008-10-24, 8:45pm
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Duchess of Dichro
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Join Date: Jun 03, 2006
Location: Long Island New York
Posts: 2,399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beckah
Soft glass -- I haven't worked much soft glass yet with the Betta but once again, on my particular set-up, I think the Betta and Cricket are pretty much the same.
I think the Cricket is much cuter than the Betta. And if I was looking to buy a first torch or move up from a Hot Head, I think the Cricket is absolutely the way to go. I personally like the flame characteristics of the Cricket much better than the MiniCC. The Cricket flame can be fluffy but it's not too fluffy and when the Cricket is in pinpoint, it is a penetrating point which I like much better than the MiniCC's pinpoint.
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Thanks for your thoughts Beckah, Im hoping to go to a cricket from my HH
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Leslie
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2008-10-25, 10:16am
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Butterfly Rancher
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Join Date: May 08, 2006
Location: Colorado newbie
Posts: 5,827
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lesliedana1
Thanks for your thoughts Beckah, Im hoping to go to a cricket from my HH
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If you can afford to do it now, I think the Crickets are still priced at $139 -- which is a great deal. That's the introductory price -- I don't know when they'll go to the regular price.
I also like that the Cricket can run well on one 5LPM oxycon. Which definitely lowers the start-up costs. I wish it had been available when I set-up a couple of years ago.
__________________
Torch connected to NG December 2005 and disconnected March 2013 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
May 2014 -- Good-bye Florida and Hello Colorado
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2008-10-29, 12:20pm
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Spell check please
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Join Date: Aug 28, 2005
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 394
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I just got my cricket torch 2 days ago. Anyone have a pic of there's hooked up to the oxy and propane hoses? I have mine hooked up but the hoses are bent so far they almost have a kink in them. I am used to pointing the tip of the torch more upwords, like i used to with my minor. The brass fittings on the cricket are strait down, so when i hooked up my hoses and pointed the torch up like I'm used to, the hoses seem to be in a very tight curve. I had to zip tye them to the torch so they would stay put. Now with my luck i will most likely drip hot glass on the hoses and ruin them. Is there some kind of L shape fitting to put on the brass hose connects so i can get the hoses out of harms way. Or do i have to get used to working with my torch in a horizontal position. I really don't need to have another learning curve, my beads look like crap lately. I have a very small work space so if i have to point the torch more horizontal i will probably burn something in front of me. Like my tool box of glass rods or plastic box of frit. Any ideals would be much appreciated.
Elaine
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2008-10-29, 12:42pm
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Ass-kicking Cephalopod
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Join Date: Jun 19, 2006
Location: Duh, Squidville
Posts: 9,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nitefire
I just got my cricket torch 2 days ago. Anyone have a pic of there's hooked up to the oxy and propane hoses? I have mine hooked up but the hoses are bent so far they almost have a kink in them. I am used to pointing the tip of the torch more upwords, like i used to with my minor. The brass fittings on the cricket are strait down, so when i hooked up my hoses and pointed the torch up like I'm used to, the hoses seem to be in a very tight curve. I had to zip tye them to the torch so they would stay put. Now with my luck i will most likely drip hot glass on the hoses and ruin them. Is there some kind of L shape fitting to put on the brass hose connects so i can get the hoses out of harms way. Or do i have to get used to working with my torch in a horizontal position. I really don't need to have another learning curve, my beads look like crap lately. I have a very small work space so if i have to point the torch more horizontal i will probably burn something in front of me. Like my tool box of glass rods or plastic box of frit. Any ideals would be much appreciated.
Elaine
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I had a similar issue in that I am used to having my minor pointing much more up than I am able with my cricket. I didn't want to stress the hoses, so I pointed it more out than up and got used to it pretty quickly - I would consider clearing in front of the torch.
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DOG is my co-pilot
Cricket w/two 5 lpm oxycons - and sometimes a Minor.
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2008-10-29, 12:45pm
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Ass-kicking Cephalopod
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Join Date: Jun 19, 2006
Location: Duh, Squidville
Posts: 9,523
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I just thought of something - you could try adding a very small piece of 2 x 4 under the torch - something just big enough to fit under the base - to raise it off the table.
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DOG is my co-pilot
Cricket w/two 5 lpm oxycons - and sometimes a Minor.
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2008-10-29, 1:44pm
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I speak Murrini!
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Join Date: Oct 12, 2006
Location: In a Glass House, CA
Posts: 9,170
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nitefire
I just got my cricket torch 2 days ago. Anyone have a pic of there's hooked up to the oxy and propane hoses? I have mine hooked up but the hoses are bent so far they almost have a kink in them. I am used to pointing the tip of the torch more upwords, like i used to with my minor. The brass fittings on the cricket are strait down, so when i hooked up my hoses and pointed the torch up like I'm used to, the hoses seem to be in a very tight curve. I had to zip tye them to the torch so they would stay put. Now with my luck i will most likely drip hot glass on the hoses and ruin them. Is there some kind of L shape fitting to put on the brass hose connects so i can get the hoses out of harms way. Or do i have to get used to working with my torch in a horizontal position. I really don't need to have another learning curve, my beads look like crap lately. I have a very small work space so if i have to point the torch more horizontal i will probably burn something in front of me. Like my tool box of glass rods or plastic box of frit. Any ideals would be much appreciated.
Elaine
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Hum....this is something that would concern me a bit, too! I've sold my Mini CC, and want to order a Cricket asap!!!
Does anyone know FOR SURE how long the intro. price will be available? I have to transfer from my PP account, then pay my CC bill so it's clear to purchase. I know GTT was looking into setting it up so we can purchase using our PayPal accounts, but I don't think it's quite there yet
I totally don't want to miss out on the intro pricing while doing all the $ juggling, so if it's going to continue with the "intro pricing" until further notice, I'm probably ok.
Thanks for the suggestion, Squid! I'd probably get used to it fairly quickly, and having worked so long on a hot head, it's probably going to actually be MORE COMFORTABLE to work in a forward/outward direction than an upward one, too!
De
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~DeAnne~
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"Only a fool rushes to his own demise..." ~Zorro
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2008-10-29, 3:19pm
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Disconnected
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Join Date: Jan 31, 2007
Location: Normandy, France
Posts: 1,323
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You guys need a Japanese torch!
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2008-10-29, 5:18pm
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I speak Murrini!
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Join Date: Oct 12, 2006
Location: In a Glass House, CA
Posts: 9,170
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Well, for now, I'd be thrilled if I could find someone who would sell me their PINK or BLACK Cricket - yeah, right!
I'm thinking I'll probably have to call GTT and order since I suppose this is a "special order" color (would really prefer NOT purple - sorry Purp Peeps!) - so if anyone out there has a PINK or BLACK one they're not thrilled about (would have to have either the different color knobs or at least the different color ends on the knobs), PLEASE, PLEASE, SHOOT ME A PM!!!
I'm going to see if anyone contacts me in the next day or so, then it's ORDER TIME!
De
__________________
~DeAnne~
I've got a murrini for that,'ya know! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"Only a fool rushes to his own demise..." ~Zorro
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2008-10-29, 7:24pm
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PyronamixK
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Join Date: Jun 24, 2005
Location: Spatula City
Posts: 4,196
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The Cricket standard purple is more of a Raspberry pink-like purple and not a grape purple.
__________________
Kimberly
working glass since 1990 - melting it on a torch since 2002
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2008-10-30, 9:52am
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Bigger, longer, and uncut
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Join Date: Aug 01, 2007
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 447
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nitefire
I just got my cricket torch 2 days ago. Anyone have a pic of there's hooked up to the oxy and propane hoses? I have mine hooked up but the hoses are bent so far they almost have a kink in them. I am used to pointing the tip of the torch more upwords, like i used to with my minor. . . .
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Elaine, I noticed the same thing about the position of the barbs in pictures of Crickets before I ordered mine. It's sounds like you used your Minor as I did--pointed more up. After taking Jim Smircich's class, I re-aimed my Minor (before the Cricket arrived) so that the flame was closer to parallel with the table top. I'm doing the same thing with the Cricket but am still annoyed with the barb placement.
I have the base corner closest to me hanging an inch and a half from the table edge.
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Evelyn
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2008-10-30, 10:36am
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I speak Murrini!
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Join Date: Oct 12, 2006
Location: In a Glass House, CA
Posts: 9,170
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I'm going to be securing my Cricket to my workbench via a Creation Station - the "clamp" thingie worked well for my Mini CC...hopefully it will be OK with the Cricket as well, with the corner pointed towards me. I currently don't have anything that is at the "back" of my workbench anyway, and do have a marble tile that hangs on the wall to shield it. We'll see...
De
__________________
~DeAnne~
I've got a murrini for that,'ya know! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"Only a fool rushes to his own demise..." ~Zorro
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2008-10-31, 8:41pm
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I speak Murrini!
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Join Date: Oct 12, 2006
Location: In a Glass House, CA
Posts: 9,170
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kbinkster
The Cricket standard purple is more of a Raspberry pink-like purple and not a grape purple.
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Thanks for the input...I did sort of notice that, but if I can order one in PINK and still take advantage of the intro. price (plus the "special order" cost for the color, of course), I'm going for it!
I wrote them an email - hopefully it will all work out great!
De in CA
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~DeAnne~
I've got a murrini for that,'ya know! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"Only a fool rushes to his own demise..." ~Zorro
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2008-11-03, 4:48pm
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Theresa
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Join Date: May 23, 2007
Location: California's central coast
Posts: 76
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nitefire
I just got my cricket torch 2 days ago. Anyone have a pic of there's hooked up to the oxy and propane hoses? I have mine hooked up but the hoses are bent so far they almost have a kink in them. I am used to pointing the tip of the torch more upwords, like i used to with my minor. The brass fittings on the cricket are strait down, so when i hooked up my hoses and pointed the torch up like I'm used to, the hoses seem to be in a very tight curve. I had to zip tye them to the torch so they would stay put. Now with my luck i will most likely drip hot glass on the hoses and ruin them. Is there some kind of L shape fitting to put on the brass hose connects so i can get the hoses out of harms way. Or do i have to get used to working with my torch in a horizontal position. I really don't need to have another learning curve, my beads look like crap lately. I have a very small work space so if i have to point the torch more horizontal i will probably burn something in front of me. Like my tool box of glass rods or plastic box of frit. Any ideals would be much appreciated.
Elaine
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My solution to this was to remove the base and turn it 180 degrees and reattach. The torch is a little closer to me and my hoses go straight down - they no longer have the tight curve. This seems to be working fine for me and have not found any safety issues. Maybe this will work for you.
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2008-11-03, 5:08pm
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Ass-kicking Cephalopod
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Join Date: Jun 19, 2006
Location: Duh, Squidville
Posts: 9,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mama Teesa
My solution to this was to remove the base and turn it 180 degrees and reattach. The torch is a little closer to me and my hoses go straight down - they no longer have the tight curve. This seems to be working fine for me and have not found any safety issues. Maybe this will work for you.
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That is a good idea - I will have to see how that works for me. Thanks for posting!
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DOG is my co-pilot
Cricket w/two 5 lpm oxycons - and sometimes a Minor.
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2008-11-03, 5:39pm
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Theresa
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Join Date: May 23, 2007
Location: California's central coast
Posts: 76
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You're welcome!
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2008-11-03, 11:54pm
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I speak Murrini!
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Join Date: Oct 12, 2006
Location: In a Glass House, CA
Posts: 9,170
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mama Teesa
My solution to this was to remove the base and turn it 180 degrees and reattach. The torch is a little closer to me and my hoses go straight down - they no longer have the tight curve. This seems to be working fine for me and have not found any safety issues. Maybe this will work for you.
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WELL, I DID IT!!! I ordered mine today - woo hoo!!! I'm getting that delicious pink with black knobs (which will have the red/green ends to tell fuel from oxy, of course!) I can hardly wait...maybe mid November, that figured
I'm trying to visualize your solution, Theresa. Thanks for suggesting it - is there any way you can take a quick snap of how your torch sits now? Do you mean you disconnect the "arm" that the torch is sitting on from the base, then turn it around? I'm terribly tired at the moment; my brain's sort of fuzzy - I'm sure this will make sense when I get the torch - but a picture would be wonderful to make eyes at
Thanks!
De
__________________
~DeAnne~
I've got a murrini for that,'ya know! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"Only a fool rushes to his own demise..." ~Zorro
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2008-11-04, 4:54pm
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Theresa
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Join Date: May 23, 2007
Location: California's central coast
Posts: 76
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Hi De~ This is my solution to the bent hose situation that my DH didn't like. I detached the "arm" from the "flat plate" and rotated 180 degrees and reattached. Minimal tools required - a flat screw driver and adjustable end wrench. It did bring the torch closer to me which at this point has not been a problem. It works for me.
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2008-11-04, 5:50pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 11, 2006
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 309
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Hot Hot Hot
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2008-11-05, 11:39pm
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I speak Murrini!
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Join Date: Oct 12, 2006
Location: In a Glass House, CA
Posts: 9,170
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mama Teesa
Hi De~ This is my solution to the bent hose situation that my DH didn't like. I detached the "arm" from the "flat plate" and rotated 180 degrees and reattached. Minimal tools required - a flat screw driver and adjustable end wrench. It did bring the torch closer to me which at this point has not been a problem. It works for me.
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Oh, Theresa - you didn't forget me! Thanks so much for the photo! I'll admit, having worked so long on a Hot Head, I'm going to want to tilt that puppy UP - but it looks like with this configuration, it still will bend the hoses, but not as extremely as when the "arm" is pointing (slanting) the other direction!
Thanks so much for doing this for me - and all of us!
De in CA
__________________
~DeAnne~
I've got a murrini for that,'ya know! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"Only a fool rushes to his own demise..." ~Zorro
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2008-11-07, 8:48am
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PyronamixK
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Join Date: Jun 24, 2005
Location: Spatula City
Posts: 4,196
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Optional elbows (for the hose connections) are available for those of you who like to point the torch more up and down.
__________________
Kimberly
working glass since 1990 - melting it on a torch since 2002
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