Silence is Golden!

I did it! I finally got everything set up and yesterday I lit my mega minor for the first time. It seemed there were so many things to do and remember at first, but now I'm understanding the equipment a bit more.

I was a little intimidated by the whole set-up process and did my usual scouring of the web for info that might help. I did find some useful things out there and will share these links with you -

Torch, Gas, Hose, Regulator info from Dale Meisenheimer click here

Regulator info (oxy and fuel) also by Dale Meisenheimer click here

Setting up a minor/oxycon/propane combo click here

And a Youtube video on turning on and off an oxy/propane torch here

Setting your flame click here

Thanks to everyone who is gracious to share their knowledge and help us learn!

Another link that is useful, but more so BEFORE you buy your torch and oxycon is Artistry in Glass' Unlimited Oxygen Concentrator Chart - click here . It will help make sure you get the right concentrator for your torch.

So - I managed to get everything set up, tested for leaks - none! Alright!!

I have one word to say -

POOP!

It's a good thing to say to yourself when you are turning on or off an oxy/propane torch. When you light it the order is Propane, Oxygen. When you turn it off the order is Oxygen, Propane.

Here's the order in which I do things - if you are just learning, don't take my word for it, read, research, ask questions! So much of lampworking/flameworking is about what YOU are comfortable with safety wise - so be knowledgeable and BE SAFE!

Turning ON

1. Make sure my ventilation is good.


2. Open oxygen knob on torch.


3. Turn on oxycon - it should run for a short while before beginning to torch, and should not be run with the oxygen knob closed on the toch


4. Turn on gas tank


5. Open fuel knob on torch


6. Set pressure at regulator


7. Turn off fuel knob on torch


8. Turn off oxygen knob while I light torch (turning on fuel of course!)


9. Turn oxy back on and set the flame


10. HAVE FUN!

Turning OFF

1. Turn off oxy at torch


2. Turn off propane at torch (no flame present after this step)


3. Turn oxy back on


4. Turn off oxycon and let pressure drop to zero


5. Turn off propane at tank


6. Turn on propane at torch


7. Let pressures drop to zero on regulator


8. Turn off propane knob at torch

I tend to leave the oxy knob on the torch open so that I won't inadvertently turn on the oxycon with the knob closed.

That's the way I do it, hopefully I've learned right and hopefully if you read this and see that I'm doing some step wrong you'll let me know!

Just to prove I really did light it -



And yes... Silence is Golden! Ahhhhh, my trusty hot head has served me well, I've learned a lot with it and won't be getting rid of it, but I have to confess my Mega Minor has stolen my heart! So peaceful and quiet after the roar of the hh, and such a gentle flame - more like a gentle stream than the pounding Niagara my little hh puts out. And heat! I see things melting the way they are supposed to!

Mega Minor setback..

Sooo yesterday morning I rose and decided that I was going to get everything hooked up and pluck up my best courage to light my new torch.

First things first I had to hook up the regulator and check the lines for leaks. Wouldn't you know the end of the hose at the regulator was bubbling when I put gas leak detector on it. Gaaha!

I took it apart, inspected both ends, put it back on, tightened it as much as I could and tried again -- more bubbles!

At some point in the morning a lightening bolt hit me and I decided to try the other end of the hose on the regulator - aha! no bubbles! but now the bubbles were appearing at the torch end. That told me that there was a problem with that connector on the hose.

I had to go out yesterday and was going near a BOC Gasses welding supply, so took along my regulator and hose. I was a bit nervous going in there because I felt like I was entering The Man's Domain - probably silly, but I just felt like it was a place that men belong, not women -- something like the beer store!! ;o) (my mum taught me THAT one!)

I explained my problem to the guy behind the counter, he listened attentively, said nothing, picked up the hose and examined the connector, and then without a word took some big clippers and snipped the end right off my brand new hose! I felt a shudder of loss run through my body as the connector fell to the counter. Then he put a new connector on and disappeared out back to check it, still without more than a couple of words. A guy next to me jokingly said something about finding the hose is too short now, which was kind of funny seeing as it's a loooong hose and I lost about 1/2 inch off the end. Mr. Silent returned, wiping gas leak detector from hose and regulator and became a bit more vocal. He told me everything was good to go! At that point I managed to pluck up courage and ask him about stainless steel tig rods (which apparently make good mandrels at a lower price than the pre-packaged ones). He went to show me what sizes they have and explained that they sell them by the kilogram. I asked if he was able to cut them - he tried one, but it wasn't exactly an easy thing - I think you'd need muscles to do it the way he did. He then gave me one to take home and try.

When I asked him how much for the connector - he told me 'nothing, no charge!' What a nice guy! I told him that he'd made my day and left The Mans Domain a very happy woman!

It's all happening here!

Yesterday I got the MY kiln set up :o)



Doesn't it look all shiny and new. I have it resting on a patio stone and then on the fireproof bricks that were supplied. You can also see that I have the brick fitted into the bead door hole. I found a thread on the Wet Canvas glass forum that helped me understand the programming, which can be a complicated process for beginners and I was all set to go! Except I had to wait for Jane to arrive, she was part of the inaugural first firing party, I think even DH was a little excited. We did a countdown from 10 and I flicked the switch - woohoo, it did what a kiln is supposed to do and started heating up. I was stupidly thinking the temperature would skyrocket in there, which of course is just what annealing does not do, the kiln temperature rises very slowly so as not to shock the glass. It was exciting to see the digits creeping up and I began to realise how clever the controller is to be able to take charge of not only the temperature of the kiln, but also the speed at which it heats and cools, and how long it holds at a particular temperature. I was also expecting the room to get hot and for everything to smell bad but neither of those things happened so I was quite a happy camper.

It was bedtime before things were finished so I had to wait until this morning to check the insides



First load was fuglies, just in case something went wrong. I'm happy to report that every bead survived intact - how exciting :o)

Earlier in the afternoon I had heard a huge truck rumbling down our sleepy little street and jumped up to see it was the delivery company with the rest of my equipment!!!



I tell you - a girl could get used to having deliveries like this! The bottom box is the MY oxygen generator and the top box includes MY shiny red torch, hoses etc. and a few rods of glass.

I haven't had time to take pictures of that yet, but I can tell you that by the time I'd unpacked it all I was feeling quite delirious with all the excitement and almost contemplated hooking myself up to the generator for a dose of oxygen!

Here it is! - Unpacking a JenKen B3K

After looking at the box for a while - feeling (I imagine) like someone who'd just had a ufo land on their dining table - I plucked up courage to see what was inside -



Ahhh - chipits!



Aaaah! Another box!



Aaah! A secret dossier!



Oh! I feel like I've just aquired a new family member! Time to take a break and see what it says..

Well, between outlet types, grounded and ungrounded, wiring types, fuse types, where and how to position the kiln, I'm absolutely terrified and need to take a break!

Here's what else came in my box - I imagine you can expect the same if you order a Jenken B3K with a bead door.



A bag of kiln wash and some kiln furniture (can't you just imaging the kiln fairies lounging on that ;o) )



Three fire bricks to stand under the kiln. A word about these firebricks, they are VERY soft, almost chalk-like and need to be handled with care so's not to damage them.



A kiln shelf and a firebrick to put in place of the bead door for batch annealing (helps to keep more heat in the kiln)

On with the unpacking - since the kiln is so heavy I figured the easiest way to remove it from the box was



I realised it might make a bit of a mess



Oh well... it was all worth it, I guess I was so excited I didn't even think to take the wrapping off the kiln, so I'll have to take a better picture of it later.

TaDAAAA!

Today I'm hoping to get it set up and prepare it by painting on the kiln wash. I needed a paving slab and managed to borrow one from Jane, but I think I have everything I need now - more to come!

Nothing to say except -

WOOHOOOOO!!!!!

Should I open it??

IT's COMING!!!

It's official!!! Yesterday I got an email -

• Your order is being shipped to you either today or tomorrow. The kiln will be coming via Apex Truck from the supplier, and the concentrator and other supplies were shipped from our store via Apex Truck.

Oh my! Now what am I going to do when it arrives! I'll be in a state of panic for sure, it'll be like starting all over again! I'll probably sit and look at everything for a week before I pluck up courage to actually hook up and turn on!

(no, it's not me, but it's all I could come up with on short notice, and I laughed because he does look a little like a slightly older version of daughter #1's goofy boyfriend)
Wouldn't you know it, I have to be out for the best part of today, so I hope they call ahead before they try and deliver!

Today's Picks

Here are some dot beads I've made over the last week or so.  There should be a name for a group of dot beads, I've always been partial to a 'mischief of rats' and a 'murder of ravens' - not sure about dots. .   a blizzard of dots?  Nahh - have you got a better idea?