Best Torches For Lampworking Glass Blowing.
The first question every aspiring glass blower asks is, “What torch should I get?” This isn’t an easy question to answer, because the answer is yes to all of them! The real question is “What is the best torch for you and what do you want to make?”
Here’s a list of some of the best torches used by glass artists around the world. Each torch manufacturer brings something different to the table with their unique designs. These torches are used for a number of applications that require certain specifications. Please note: this list was created in no special order (alphabetically).
Bethlehem Burners are constructed entirely of stainless steel, keeping the burner body cool. The torches are equipped with modular valves with precision needles making fuel adjustment smooth and precise. With the low-pressure design and precision front face, the artist will experience a flame that combusts at the face of their art work, wrapping their glass in a penetrating heat at a far better fuel ratio than ever experienced before. Superior design, durability, and complete combustion make Bethlehem Burners one of the highest quality torch manufacturers on the market today.
Alpha
Overview:
The Alpha Glass Bead Burner is an excellent starter burner for the glass artist working in the medium to small range. The Alpha delivers more flow at a low gas pressure producing the ideal glass working flame. Affordable and convenient, the Alpha is the only torch on the market today designed with your needs in mind. Do you work at home with low-pressure household natural gas? If so, the Alpha would be a dream-come true! The Alpha will melt both soft and borosilicate glass with ease. The torch can also be used at the traditional flame settings of 5 psi gas and 20 psi oxygen. It works equally well with propane, natural gas and other fuels.
Features:
- • All stainless steel construction that stays cool while the flame is super hot.
- • Allows for a higher volume of fuel at a lower inlet pressure-7 cu. ft./hr. at only 2 psi.
- • Ideal to operate on household gas (1/4 psi) and oxygen concentrator (7 psi).
Specifications:
- • Burner configuration: Center Fire – 6 jets, Pentagon shape face, Diameter 5/8″.
- • Suggested glass size: up to a 5/8″ / 16mm rod and up to a 19mm Tube.
- • Dimensions: 5″ long with a 6″ base
- • Net Weight: 2.5 lbs
Bravo
Overview:
The low-pressure, stainless steel Bravo Bench Burner was designed specifically with the needs of the artistic flameworker in mind. A dual-purpose torch, it will work easily with both soft and borosilicate glass. Made with the precision and quality of all Bethlehem burners, the Bravo’s output is surface-mixed and whisper-soft. By varying the atmosphere of your flame, you can use your torch like a fiery paintbrush for shading and highlights. The razor-sharp center is excellent for creating small details. For marbles, sculpting, and vessels, this sleek torch is both cost-effective and fuel-efficient.
Features:
- • All stainless steel construction that stays cool while the flame is super hot.
- • Allows for a higher volume of fuel at a lower inlet pressure- 15 cu. ft./hr. at only 2 psi.
- • Can also operate on household gas (1/4 psi) and oxygen concentrators (7 psi). Includes B size fittings for both Oxy and Fuel connections. Purchase a 4 Inlet to 2 Inlet Adapter (Part #’s EQ101) if you are not going to use a foot pedal.
Specifications:
- • Burner configuration: Center fire – 6 jets, Outer fire – 12 jets, Face dia. – 1″ (25.4 mm)
- • Full flame consumption: Gas: 2 psi; 15 cu. ft./hr. (425 l/hr.); Oxygen: 8 psi; 66 cu. ft./hr. (1867 l/hr.)
- • Works: Rod – 1″ (26 mm) Tube – 38 mm
- • Dimensions: 6” long with a 6” base
- • Net Weight: 3 1/2 lbs.
Champion
Overview:
The Champion Bench Burner is a two stage, stainless steel, surface mix flame working torch with separately controlled outer and inner flames. Each stage is controlled by one gas and one oxygen valve, and the torch comes standard with a four port manifold.
The low-velocity flames of the Champion torch allow flame workers to produce a wide range of fuel mixtures while keeping the flames workable and gentle to the glass. These flames bathe the glass in even heat and gently heat the glass from all sides, much like working glass in a furnace. This type of flame is excellent for every style of flame working, including large hollow work, solid milli work, color-mixing and fine detail work with difficult colors. The large diameter, low-velocity flames produced by the outer fire of the Champion, make evenly heating large amounts of glass with no cold spots a breeze! Even highly oxidizing flames are soft and even.
The Champion was engineered for low-pressure, high heat performance and is one of the most efficient large torches on the market today.
Features:
- • Comes standard with a four stud manifold.
- • New ball-bearing scroll provides smooth adjustments and automatically locks the torch at the desired angle.
- • Reconfigured gas and O2 ports for most efficient fuel combustion.
- • Stainless steel construction keeps the torch cool to the touch, even at hottest flame.
Specifications:
- • Burner configuration: Center fire – 6 jets, Outer fire – 30 jets, Face diameter -1 1/8″ (28.575 mm)
- • Full flame consumption Gas: 5 psi; 24.96 cu. ft./h (706.8 l/hr. Oxygen: 20 psi; 88.13 cu. ft./hr. (2496 l/hr.)
- • Works: Rod – 44 mm tube – 80 mm +
- • Dimensions: 6 7/8″ long with a 8″ base
- • Net Weight: 8 3/4 lbs.The first question every aspiring glass blower asks is, “What torch should I get?” This isn’t an easy question to answer, because the answer is yes to all of them! The real question is “What is the best torch for you and what do you want to make?”
Here’s a list of some of the best torches used by glass artists around the world. Each torch manufacturer brings something different to the table with their unique designs. These torches are used for a number of applications that require certain specifications. Please note: this list was created in no special order (alphabetically).
Bethlehem Burners are constructed entirely of stainless steel, keeping the burner body cool. The torches are equipped with modular valves with precision needles making fuel adjustment smooth and precise. With the low-pressure design and precision front face, the artist will experience a flame that combusts at the face of their art work, wrapping their glass in a penetrating heat at a far better fuel ratio than ever experienced before. Superior design, durability, and complete combustion make Bethlehem Burners one of the highest quality torch manufacturers on the market today.
Alpha
Overview:
The Alpha Glass Bead Burner is an excellent starter burner for the glass artist working in the medium to small range. The Alpha delivers more flow at a low gas pressure producing the ideal glass working flame. Affordable and convenient, the Alpha is the only torch on the market today designed with your needs in mind. Do you work at home with low-pressure household natural gas? If so, the Alpha would be a dream-come true! The Alpha will melt both soft and borosilicate glass with ease. The torch can also be used at the traditional flame settings of 5 psi gas and 20 psi oxygen. It works equally well with propane, natural gas and other fuels.
Features:
- • All stainless steel construction that stays cool while the flame is super hot.
- • Allows for a higher volume of fuel at a lower inlet pressure-7 cu. ft./hr. at only 2 psi.
- • Ideal to operate on household gas (1/4 psi) and oxygen concentrator (7 psi).
Specifications:
- • Burner configuration: Center Fire – 6 jets, Pentagon shape face, Diameter 5/8″.
- • Suggested glass size: up to a 5/8″ / 16mm rod and up to a 19mm Tube.
- • Dimensions: 5″ long with a 6″ base
- • Net Weight: 2.5 lbs
Bravo
Overview:
The low-pressure, stainless steel Bravo Bench Burner was designed specifically with the needs of the artistic flameworker in mind. A dual-purpose torch, it will work easily with both soft and borosilicate glass. Made with the precision and quality of all Bethlehem burners, the Bravo’s output is surface-mixed and whisper-soft. By varying the atmosphere of your flame, you can use your torch like a fiery paintbrush for shading and highlights. The razor-sharp center is excellent for creating small details. For marbles, sculpting, and vessels, this sleek torch is both cost-effective and fuel-efficient.
Features:
- • All stainless steel construction that stays cool while the flame is super hot.
- • Allows for a higher volume of fuel at a lower inlet pressure- 15 cu. ft./hr. at only 2 psi.
- • Can also operate on household gas (1/4 psi) and oxygen concentrators (7 psi). Includes B size fittings for both Oxy and Fuel connections. Purchase a 4 Inlet to 2 Inlet Adapter (Part #’s EQ101) if you are not going to use a foot pedal.
Specifications:
- • Burner configuration: Center fire – 6 jets, Outer fire – 12 jets, Face dia. – 1″ (25.4 mm)
- • Full flame consumption: Gas: 2 psi; 15 cu. ft./hr. (425 l/hr.); Oxygen: 8 psi; 66 cu. ft./hr. (1867 l/hr.)
- • Works: Rod – 1″ (26 mm) Tube – 38 mm
- • Dimensions: 6” long with a 6” base
- • Net Weight: 3 1/2 lbs.
Champion
Overview:
The Champion Bench Burner is a two stage, stainless steel, surface mix flame working torch with separately controlled outer and inner flames. Each stage is controlled by one gas and one oxygen valve, and the torch comes standard with a four port manifold.
The low-velocity flames of the Champion torch allow flame workers to produce a wide range of fuel mixtures while keeping the flames workable and gentle to the glass. These flames bathe the glass in even heat and gently heat the glass from all sides, much like working glass in a furnace. This type of flame is excellent for every style of flame working, including large hollow work, solid milli work, color-mixing and fine detail work with difficult colors. The large diameter, low-velocity flames produced by the outer fire of the Champion, make evenly heating large amounts of glass with no cold spots a breeze! Even highly oxidizing flames are soft and even.
The Champion was engineered for low-pressure, high heat performance and is one of the most efficient large torches on the market today.
Features:
- • Comes standard with a four stud manifold.
- • New ball-bearing scroll provides smooth adjustments and automatically locks the torch at the desired angle.
- • Reconfigured gas and O2 ports for most efficient fuel combustion.
- • Stainless steel construction keeps the torch cool to the touch, even at hottest flame.
Specifications:
- • Burner configuration: Center fire – 6 jets, Outer fire – 30 jets, Face diameter -1 1/8″ (28.575 mm)
- • Full flame consumption Gas: 5 psi; 24.96 cu. ft./h (706.8 l/hr. Oxygen: 20 psi; 88.13 cu. ft./hr. (2496 l/hr.)
- • Works: Rod – 44 mm tube – 80 mm +
- • Dimensions: 6 7/8″ long with a 8″ base
- • Net Weight: 8 3/4 lbs.