Help with Sargent Welch torch

[JGMoore]

I scored a bunch of glass stuff on Craigslist and have some questions. First, I got an old Sargent-Welch torch. I hooked it up and the flame is really wonky. Candles, such as they are, are smeared and irregular. Center fire won't seem to be anything but yellow reducing mess. I am using a GTT and have no experience with this sort of torch. (Not a lot of experience at all, really. Kind of a newbie). Are there some things I can tweak, adjust, clean, etc. to try and fix this or do they just wear out?
Also got the plastic handled gizmo in the photo. Labeled "Bethlehem Apparatus" and I haven't got the first idea of what it is. Any help?
The other thing I think is a lathe burner which i don't need. Do they have any value?
Lastly I got a case of flint glass tubing of assorted diameters. No clue what I can do with it. Any ideas?
Thanks
John in Arroyo Grande,

[Cosmo]

Got any pictures of the torch with the flame going or the face of the torch?

[BORO]

Hook up the lines backwards, see if it helps. (a known trick on sargents, to get around patents from Carlisle)

[JGMoore]

BoRo - DUDE! You the man. Hooked up backwards (oxy on fuel valve and v.v.) Works like magic! Not perfect, but usable. A little trouble adjusting the centerfire down low. Keeps flashing back/going out. First time on this kind of torch and is scaring the $#!+ out of me. Five times more heat then I'm used to. Cognitive dissonance when adjusting the flame but I'll switch knobs so my brain doesn't explode. Many thanks.

[JGMoore]

OK, I gotta ask. Backwards. Why is this a thing? Has this torch been hooked up wrong since the sixties? I kinda see why I got it so cheap.

[BORO]

Patent on the cc... (Carlisle)


Center fire on the Sargent is known to be a little jumpy.

I own the same torch w/cc valves. Congrats. Its the stainless version.

[JGMoore]

Are CC valves interchangeable with the sargent? One of mine has been replaced and doesn't quite shut off properly. Also, is there a recommended pressure for gas and O2?

[BORO]

28 o2

5 propane. (what I run)

If you can give the center fire a lower pressure, it would shine. Like 14# and 3-4# gas....

Give the outer full pressure. Or give it all full pressure. Unless you have 2 sets of regulators.

Yes cc valves fit. Lots of times its crud in the valve seat. You should try to open the valve and clean the seat.

[JGMoore]

FWIW here are some photos of the updated flame patterns. Thanks again for the info.

[JGMoore]

I read on another thread that N. M. Knight will rebuild these torches. Has anyone here done this?

[hammer]

I'll give you 100.00 for the Bethlehem gizmo

[Jackass Glass]

I'll give you 100.00 for the Bethlehem gizmo

What is it?

[hammer]

What is it?

I think Bethlehem called it a glassblowing mandrel.
It just holds tubing to make perpendicular (T) seals. I chuck it in the lathe to refurbish old vacuum valves. I have one but it is in rough shape.

[Losiwells]

What is it?

It's worth some bucks to the right person. The pic below will shed some light on what the gizmo is used for.

[Losiwells]

Here's another view of the tube clamp.

[hammer]

They actually came with a glassblowing kit Bethlehem used to sell. Bethlehem used to be an awesome company. I've seen them go for 100 on eBay. I thought about designing my own.