any one know about antique torrches?

[Aaron Ellis]

I just bought this torch and its a pretty old beth. Just wondering if anyone around here has used a torch like this?

[Dubbz]

A little more detail may help man, maybe some pictures?

[Julian]

Indeed, there are few Beth connoisseurs around here. Some of the older ones are really nice.

If you're having trouble uploading the pics as attachments, it's probably due to file size. There's a 300kb limit per pic at the moment, but these days unprocessed pics coming out of any camera are much larger. You might want to resize them first, or upload them to a site like http://imgur.com and embed them in the post using the [IMG] tags.

[Aaron Ellis]

Ya I'm having a hell of a time uploading these pics thanx Julian gonna try that link give me a min
http://imgur.com/cw8Om

[Aaron Ellis]

I'm so not literate on this shit but I'll figure it out. http://imgur.com/OLYsM.jpg

[jr23]

beth type b two port not water cooled. never ran one I always get beat out of them on ebay being that I never bid one higher than 300.

I don't think they service that model any more but you can check , if she runs good should be a fine torch.

[Aaron Ellis]

Ya she is water cooled wish she was 4 port wood love to work with foot pedals. Nun the less she will kick the ass off my major minor. I ran it for about 10 min before I bought it and it runs great. Is there a way to find out how old she is?

[Aaron Ellis]

A better pic side view. http://imgur.com/JLJmr

[jr23]

I run a two port pm some days and if the knobs are broke in you can quickly turn off your outer fire with your pinky finger with a little practice i was working the two ports like a fat guy at a free lunch.

I know cause I am fat and like free lunch

[Aaron Ellis]

The knobs are pretty stiff. The old-timet I got it from used silicone on the threading in a few places. I think if I clean it up they will work smother
Count me in on the free lunch I'll take free beer too.

[brettodie]

ive used the same torch more or less for over a decade. i wouldnt trade it for anything. the watercooled ones are much rarer and harder to find and are worth much more then $300. mines a model a.

they made them before all the aluminum ones. the valves are pretty easily adjusted id remove the silicone also. just loosen the nut and then back out the knob at a similar rate as you continue to loosen the nut.

i dont think they made 4 poster versions of these at least ive never seen one. if you ever want to sell it get a hold of me and we'll work something out. these are great torchs and i would love to have another back up in the shop. peace brett

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150171037266874.339194.570651873&type=1

should be public to view. theres pics of my beth torch and lathe.

[Chubbles]

I have a model a not water cooled. It has a premix center fire on it. I think they are from the early 50's but I might be wrong. Huge flame, bigger than a cc+. Beth won't work on them. Too old I guess. It was good to me for a couple of years, but I'd rather use my GTT cheetah.

[misticglass]

Cool old torch. and really nice shop brettodie, added u on fb.

[Aaron Ellis]

Thanx man she is a nice old torch Dude I'm shocked at how well this little momma works she gets super hot works the glass much quicker than I'm used to and quiet. I can't wait to get a delta someday. BTW Brett is the torch stamped model a or b? I haven't found it anywhere on it . and that link must have expired couldn't view it. Thanx all I appreciate what knowledge I've received.

[jr23]

I alwas wondered about that torches flame width and center fire, I had a older pme hand torch with a nice size flame shoulder.

[brettodie]

its about = to a mirage maybe a bit wider. the older model As also have a slightly bigger center fire then the newer ones.

[Aaron Ellis]

Ya I think that's right, but the center fire I can dial it down to a pin head flame I luv this torch it works realty well. Never tried a gtt tho.

[Mac Maestro]

I have a vintage PM2D for sale in the glassifieds right now.

http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42342

These things have stood the test of time.

[Aaron Ellis]

I saw that looks Sharp wish I had the extra cash.

[NiRTY]

Got me the same torch Meastro has up for sale. Was not really expecting to see one for sale on the forums here, but had been quite curious as to the value of the old pm2ds. Verry happy I picked mine up for what I did when I did. Tho mine might not be running as nice.

Edit: The thing still cranks

[Mac Maestro]

I saw that looks Sharp wish I had the extra cash.

I take trades, too.

[Aaron Ellis]

What ya got in mind? A couple cases?

[DibbleDabble]

Nice!
Definitely use water cooling or it will heat up very quick. I use a 250 gpm pond pump and stainless braided dish washer connection hoses from hd 3/8" fits the water ports perfect. other than the 2 water ports on the bottom of your torch head Our torches look identicle , mine has the original model a paper sticker , but no stampings for i.d., there is a Bethlehem tag on the big brass tilt knob.
My torch sticker that says model a says patent pending, so I would assume these were among. the first designed by the doods. I know the patents on these torches have stood the test of time and only manufacturing tech and materials have changed but the design is solid.
How are the water ports on your model configures, looks like a double cooler or hi flow design?
I've also seen the same brass can design with no water ports.
It would be cool to have a collection of these.
I paid 400 for mine. Vs. 2-3k for a comparable torch, I'd say it's worth a lil more than 300 to say the least. But that all depends on condition. Mine was 9/10 shape with a lil dust whin I picked it up. The face is rounded over a lil but I think that's how they come. It's when they are concave , you should be wary.

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SRtXdvbD8Xs/T0BSYup4MNI/AAAAAAAADbA/4Z4UlEunXQQ/s1024/IMAGE_B95EFAD3-AD5B-43FC-AC80-CEA10B8B6622.JPG

[Aaron Ellis]

Hay Ya I think I saw yours on another thread. A pic showing your mirror set up.

Yep my water ports are on the bottom looked like yours are on the top back, am I wrong? The water makes a huge difference. I've run the center with no problems w/o the water.

So far I'm very happy with this torch. It's nice to have a piece this old and well made. I'd love to have a collection of old torches. Someday I will. (-:
Aaron

Edit: I didn't see the link Ya that's cool where your water ports are. Ever thought about hooking petals up?

[glassaxis]

That thing looks like it was excavated from Egypt or something.

[DibbleDabble]

Yes the water is the braided hoses. Yea a pedal would be cool but I'd have to hack off the manifold and get up in herrr. I'd want the mods to appear original. It's very possible and would be worth it for sure but I think when it comes down to it , I really appreciate it as an original and if I had the cheese, would prolly look for a second one before I cut her up.

Www.AncientEgyptianGlassBlowers.com

[AdamCotter]

I love the old beths! how old? pic? i have frankie hess's old tigershark, they rebuilt it for me in three days had it back in mhy hand and even gave me a watercooling add on free (after i paid a bunch to get it refaced). they have a special kind of heat that kind of soaks into the glass. GTT's do it too but the beths soak in gentler, hard to explain, instead of heating the surface they really penetrate.

As far as antique goes, we have an ancient torch that just was donated that is cross fire and runs off Coal gas only. thems old!

[DibbleDabble]

http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j5tElEw0bsg/T20csJScNZI/AAAAAAAADeY/ebIiciDrJvY/s1600/IMAGE_30C8C68A-811B-4468-B0B6-4646601FD01F.JPG

http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wYwGUw5ffZ8/T20c8P1yYcI/AAAAAAAADeg/BHmU5e3e8Fk/s1600/IMAGE_CA6816BE-D85A-430D-91E3-A2AE9760C341.JPG

[hngntuf]

^^ Looks just like mine. Dibble, are you impressed with the flame and how quickly it heats glass? I have nothing to compare it to as this is the only torch I've run. It will be a looong time before I need anything mo betta.

Stephen

[DibbleDabble]

I'm stoked to say the least.
I can see a 4 post mod or new torch in the future.
I think it would be convienent to turn the outer flame on and
Off without needing a free hand, and it would save gas.
This is it's only down side I see sofar.