ShellHawk Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I've decided it's time for me to get a torch for speed-drying during throwing. My heat gun is great for some things, but I think it's time for an upgrade. Any recommendations for torches? Pros and cons you've discovered? Thanks for your input! Shell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I saw a you tube of some people using a torch on wet pots to blow up surfaces to make textures. So be careful when using a torch unless you are after exploded exposures. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayjay Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I've decided it's time for me to get a torch for speed-drying during throwing. My heat gun is great for some things, but I think it's time for an upgrade. Any recommendations for torches? Pros and cons you've discovered? Thanks for your input! Shell I'll not recommend one over the other but there are differences: when I started making crack pots (sodium silicate painted on and dried) I only had a gas torch, it worked fine, I decided that an electric heat gun would be more convenient and so bought one, it has two different heat settings which can be useful. I'd previously worked out roughly how long to use the gas torch for on a pot and on making further crackpots and using the heat gun this did demonstrate that the gas torch was quicker than the heat gun, I tend to use the heat gun now for anything that needs warming or drying, it's just more convenient, and the electrickery never runs out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 As far as a quality one-presto brand is good.Presto is for pro plumbers using a tank. I now usew mine with an acetylene tank. They have 3 tip sizes so that upu can have a large range of flame from small to large. I had one plumbed into my shop natural gas for years. Its long removed as I do not need it anymore. As far as cheap small bottle models they seem about the same as they never last over 5 years. I have a large bone pile of them. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/power-tools/welding/mag-torch-self-lighting-torch/p-1451153-c-10163.htm This one has a great flame and can get really hot if needed. I'm not a big fan of the one-touch trigger type auto lighting models, as they tend to have a wide flame and not much power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I don't use a torch, not interested in the close heat. Instead, I use an electric space heater, wheel on slow speed, walk away for a while. If I need spot heat, just a heat gun, old Sears Craftsman. Works well for me. At times I have built a small fire inside of the pot, but really not much need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 (At times I have built a small fire inside of the pot, but really not much need to.) Pres- it works best if you get inside pot with water and l;ight fire under pot-slow cooks'em-they say some of the old balck and white cannibal films show these procedure.Just saying Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colby Charpentier Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 The Burnzomatic TS 8000 is my personal choice for small stuff, a weed burner for the big stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 del martin did a workshop for us. one of the big pots needed to dry enough to turn it over so we went out to his gas kiln area, he pulled one of the burners out of the wall and torched the pot. a few minutes later it was happy to turn itself over so the previous bottom could be pulled out to make the top. i don't suggest using a kiln burner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChenowethArts Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 I don't use a torch very often and subscribe to the method that @Pres described. But when/if I am doing the pinch/throw construction on very large pots I use a cheap-o version that I purchased at Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/propane-torch-91033.html I think my son uses it a lot more on his pots, but I think he just enjoys an excuse to enjoy the flames. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxden Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 I use a Burnzamatic, TS3000, it is self-igniting and the kit is around $25 at Home Depot. The 8000 model looks really nice and is likely better if you want to spend more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 A flame type torch and a heat gun do two very different things with the clay. The heat gun moves a lot of AIR over the surface along with the warming action. This tends to dry the outer layer of the clay, leaving interterior wall more moist. The torch applies a lot of heat energy to the clay but little air. This dries the wall section more evenly that a heat gun (or blow drier). I use a torch frequently when I am doing workshops and demos. I prefer the more even drying it causes. I rarely use a heat gun. Almost never a blow drier. I typically use one of the more expensive "instant on" units from Home Depot or Lowes. In Japan... they have really NICE little torches.... but while I own a number of the torch heads.. .... I can't get the darn propane/butane cans that fit them here in the States. best, ................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShellHawk Posted November 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Thanks, guys! I was thinking of the instant-on type. They looked to be relatively easy to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShellHawk Posted November 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 A flame type torch and a heat gun do two very different things with the clay. The heat gun moves a lot of AIR over the surface along with the warming action. This tends to dry the outer layer of the clay, leaving interterior wall more moist. The torch applies a lot of heat energy to the clay but little air. This dries the wall section more evenly that a heat gun (or blow drier). I use a torch frequently when I am doing workshops and demos. I prefer the more even drying it causes. I rarely use a heat gun. Almost never a blow drier. I typically use one of the more expensive "instant on" units from Home Depot or Lowes. In Japan... they have really NICE little torches.... but while I own a number of the torch heads.. .... I can't get the darn propane/butane cans that fit them here in the States. best, ................john Oh, and? This might make a nice article in the future. Just sayin'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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