Lampwork Etc.
 
TrueDesign

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat




Glacial Art Glass


 
  #1  
Old 2013-04-11, 11:23am
nickifoxx nickifoxx is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 10, 2013
Posts: 2
Default Hothead torch shooting flames from sides :(

I have messed around with lampworking for a few years now with simple torches and propane tanks and decided to make a studio area in my garage.

I purchased a kiln and a set from Sundance Glass that had the work surface and the clamps to hold the propane bottle,

I went to light it for the first time, got a nice blue flame and after about 10 seconds flame came shooting out of the vent holes on the torch. Thinking it was totally a fluke, I ran it a second time, thinking for some reason it wasn't getting enough gas (no idea why I thought this) I turned it up higher and managed after about 15 seconds again to have a fireball shoot out of the vent, managing to singe off a section of my husband's arm hair.

I don't know what I am doing wrong. I thought hotheads did not need a regulator or any special equipment. I have the hothead attached to a regular propane bottle you'd pick up at Lowe's for small projects.

Thanks for any help!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2013-04-11, 12:06pm
Lorraine Chandler's Avatar
Lorraine Chandler Lorraine Chandler is offline
Salt Box Beads
 
Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Heading to Paradise
Posts: 4,161
Default

Did you call Sundance? Give them a chance to walk through some scenarios with you and if they can't fix the problem I am sure they will replace the torch.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2013-04-11, 12:16pm
nickifoxx nickifoxx is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 10, 2013
Posts: 2
Default

I wanted to be sure it wasn't user error before I called them. Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2013-04-11, 1:50pm
theglasszone's Avatar
theglasszone theglasszone is offline
I speak Murrini!
 
Join Date: Oct 12, 2006
Location: In a Glass House, CA
Posts: 9,170
Default

I've had this happen a couple times - in my case it was due to the HH having been dropped and a few of the "innards" coming slightly ajar...

When the torch is cool, try testing the sleve (this is the top-most screw on portion of the HH torch) to see if it's loose. Tighten everything by hand as you don't want to make it so tight that you can't loosen it later if you want to. This may resolve the problem...

Let us know how it goes - and be careful!!!
__________________
~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
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2013-04-11, 8:45pm
Box E Creations's Avatar
Box E Creations Box E Creations is offline
Echo's Mother
 
Join Date: May 26, 2012
Posts: 104
Default

A hot head is designed to work with MAPP gas, not propane
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2013-04-11, 9:16pm
allicat's Avatar
allicat allicat is offline
Senior Moment
 
Join Date: Jun 16, 2012
Location: New Yawk
Posts: 4,161
Default

I've had the same thing happen once with MapPro gas (and have used propane canisters, but it's too dirty for the HH IMHO) and it appeared to be because something was partially blocking the flame end of the torch. I took one of those computer keyboard sprayers (the kind that comes with the straw to blow cookie crumbs out from between the keys) and used to blow thru all the open areas of the torch while it was cool. In my case I think I had a bit of glass from a rod that popped off and got in there.

That all being said, a brand new, unused torch shouldn't be doing that. Contact Sundance and exchange it.

Alli
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


I never finish anything. I have a black belt in partial arts.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2013-04-11, 10:58pm
ewdb's Avatar
ewdb ewdb is offline
burnin' glass just becuz
 
Join Date: Apr 16, 2006
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 1,251
Default

this has happened to me a couple times - usually means the torch head is loose (likely from jostling during transit). Starling isn't it? To fix, immediately turn off the torch, unhook the gas tank, twist off the torch head (it screws on/off) and then put it back on and check the seal. If it looks even, then try it lighting again. If torch's still shooting flames out the side, then might be a defect and i'd contact the supplier for a replacement.
__________________
Evelyn - Carlisle Lucio w/ 8lpm EX-15
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Give ideas away - there are new ones underneath... Diane Vreeland
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2013-04-11, 11:00pm
ewdb's Avatar
ewdb ewdb is offline
burnin' glass just becuz
 
Join Date: Apr 16, 2006
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 1,251
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Box E Creations View Post
A hot head is designed to work with MAPP gas, not propane
you can use a HH with both. the Mapp burns slightly hotter and burns cleaner so good if you work with a lot of transparents, otherwise propane is just fine (and quite a bit cheaper)
__________________
Evelyn - Carlisle Lucio w/ 8lpm EX-15
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Give ideas away - there are new ones underneath... Diane Vreeland
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2013-04-11, 11:20pm
shawnette's Avatar
shawnette shawnette is offline
I fart diamonds
 
Join Date: Jun 14, 2005
Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
Posts: 3,893
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Box E Creations View Post
A hot head is designed to work with MAPP gas, not propane
MAPP is just propane with an additive to make it burn hotter and cleaner.
__________________
-Shawnette
the original "everybody get a grip" girl

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2013-04-12, 7:18am
Dale M.'s Avatar
Dale M. Dale M. is offline
Gentleman of Leisure
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: A Little Bit West of Yosemite Valley
Posts: 5,200
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnette View Post
MAPP is just propane with an additive to make it burn hotter and cleaner.
Not exactly.... MAPP gas's propane content was any where for 7% to 27% depending on "vintage" and who mixed it.........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAPP_gas

Dale
__________________
You can lead a person to knowledge, but you can't make them think.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Vendor-Artist-Studio-Teacher Registry

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
San Francisco - A Few Toys Short of a Happy Meal

Last edited by Dale M.; 2013-04-12 at 7:33am.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2013-04-16, 7:11pm
allicat's Avatar
allicat allicat is offline
Senior Moment
 
Join Date: Jun 16, 2012
Location: New Yawk
Posts: 4,161
Default

Btw, if you read the Wiki Dale linked, you'll realize you basically cannot get MAPP gas in the states anymore. It is no longer in production and hasn't been for about 5 years. The substitute is MapPro (propylene), which works fine IMHO.

Alli
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


I never finish anything. I have a black belt in partial arts.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2013-04-17, 7:33am
lotusbunny2009's Avatar
lotusbunny2009 lotusbunny2009 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 22, 2010
Location: North
Posts: 255
Default too funny!

Quote:
Originally Posted by allicat View Post
. . . (the kind that comes with the straw to blow cookie crumbs out from between the keys) . . .
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2013-04-23, 4:12pm
lunamoonshadow's Avatar
lunamoonshadow lunamoonshadow is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 27, 2005
Location: Yarmouth, Maine...home of the Clamfest
Posts: 7,693
Default

Once you get it working correctly, visit Nikki's tutorial on "where" to put your glass in the flame
http://www.nlcbeads.com/articles.php
for the best colors in glass (and she used to make all her beads with propane before she moved up to a "bigger" torch--I used propane with my hothead too--it works just fine if you're in the right spot in the flame...cheaper too!)
__________________
And if I laugh at any mortal thing, ‘Tis that I may not weep...” ~Lord Byron

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

new purple cricket @ home! minicc @ playing with fire in rockland! Sue & Nikki fighting over who gets to anneal the wonkies
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2013-08-25, 9:18am
Blue Weaver's Avatar
Blue Weaver Blue Weaver is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 04, 2013
Posts: 68
Thumbs up Thanks for the hot head tutorial!

I am just starting out. My first order of glass, safety glasses and bead release is in the mail now and I will be using a hot head. Thank you for sharing this info! Easy to understand and exactly what I will be trying to do. Wish you were closer to southern Kentucky, I would drop by. Lampwork,ect. is a fantastic way to learn and connect with tallented and experienced artists.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 2013-09-05, 8:21am
Dale M.'s Avatar
Dale M. Dale M. is offline
Gentleman of Leisure
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: A Little Bit West of Yosemite Valley
Posts: 5,200
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Box E Creations View Post
A hot head is designed to work with MAPP gas, not propane
Does not matter, works equally well with either fuel.... Besides MAPP gas is no longer available in North America, replace is MAP-PRO which is propylene gas...

Dale
__________________
You can lead a person to knowledge, but you can't make them think.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Vendor-Artist-Studio-Teacher Registry

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
San Francisco - A Few Toys Short of a Happy Meal
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 2013-09-05, 8:25am
Dale M.'s Avatar
Dale M. Dale M. is offline
Gentleman of Leisure
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: A Little Bit West of Yosemite Valley
Posts: 5,200
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnette View Post
MAPP is just propane with an additive to make it burn hotter and cleaner.
No....... MAPP is not propane with additive.... MAPP a stabilized mixture of methylacetylene (propyne) and propadiene....

Dale
__________________
You can lead a person to knowledge, but you can't make them think.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Vendor-Artist-Studio-Teacher Registry

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
San Francisco - A Few Toys Short of a Happy Meal
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 3:20am.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 35.153.156.108