Help me with a torch

[Dabberdoodle]

Since I have taken up lampworking my gf has been dying to get into it. However I don't like her using my torch lol. I would like to get her a torch for herself but something tbat consumes less has then the redmax. I was thinking something small but capable of boro. Once she gets if she need something bigger she can then use my redmax.
Anywayssss.............
These are the torches I was considering
Bethlehem alpha
Gtt bobcat
Nortel minor/mega minor
Carlisle mini cc

If you can think if something I didn't mention or just let Me know what one I should pick and why.
Thanks a lot!!!

[Trevor]

Don't get the mini cc unless you want to find out how patient your girlfriend is. It's really nice for some things but It heats up the glass pretty slow compared to a bobcat or an alpha.

[Swim]

I would say to get an alpha out of the list you have there

[Joe Userton]

I have a mini CC and have been very happy with it as a starter torch for whatever that's worth.

[Dabberdoodle]

The alpha is also what I was thinking. Anything out there you recommend that I Havnt listed? Something around the same price range?

[BORO]

I have the mini cc. A minor, the original bob cat, and the redsigned bob cat.

Also a lynx center on a bigger gtt. All in my shop.

The bob cat hands down. The new model. With the star(flower) shape hole the ports are in. Hands down the brightest, biggest , flame compared to any of them. Other than the lynx they all have weak pin points.

I started on a mini cc. I'm partial to them. However if you ran a blind test. (say you only could see /use the flamed not know what torch....) Bob cat. I know others with bob cats and lynx in their shop, will tell you the same. Bobcat will bush out bigger than a lynx.


Bobcat will do things a red max can not do easily. You can see the blue is really hot and thick... Hard to describe

The o.p. Would get the most out of it.

Sorry, no time on a alpha. (looks really cool like a tiny ray gun. )

Any of these are tiny. Fyi. Like fit in your palm no overhang, tiny.

Good luck. Just an opinion.

I also LOVE the mid range +. Little bigger, little more $. I prefer it over the bigger red max. I worked with a color maker last year. He had a brand new three stage gtt w/ air. Still used the midrange for all prep. One midrange on the lathe. One on the bench. I was convinced, after watching him crank the flame size on the midrange when needed, crazy heat crazy fast. Much more "Range" than I thought. (no pun intended )

[Swim]

I hear great stuff about the bocat as well, the only reason I would not go for the lynx is because they seem to increase in value as soon as they leave gtt, so its not really in the price range of whats listed. The alpha surprised me though for sure. I made some spoons on one a long while back. I would say its probably like the bob cat alot.

[chadwick]

Bobcat is great for the money. When buying a torch for my son I was surprised to get so much bang for the buck

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

[Inventite]

I have a bobcat on a 5lpm oxycon. The oxygen is lacky because of the concentrator (but free oxygen!). I would recommend a bobcat to any starter who is willing to upgrade in the future.

[unfunraygun]

National 3a. You will never outgrow it, because you just change tips. Its cheap. If she decides against lampworking it is a torch you will be end up using. Necessary tool in every shop.

[Trevor]

^^^ this is good advice
http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?52630-Getting-The-Most-Out-Of-Your-3A&highlight=

[jr23]

I like nationals .

Though I think the bob cat is the hands down winner on a budget .

Whether you go bobcat or alpha these burners are small and the market is very competive on them .


Beth for instance if you called and ordered two of there new valves .

Or gtt and order valves for the bobcat .

My guess is the valves alone would cost over half the price of torch .

I know , I know they mark up just valves .

But this does give you a unbiased opinion . That most all the small burners are competitive on price .