Position in flame

[Scooch]

What is the best spot in the flame to be operating?  I have the flameworks torch with MAPP glass.  My problem is that I am burning the color out of some of the glass.  I am getting great shaped beads that are about the color of dried up bird crap.  Hmmmmm........So appealing.

[Kev]

LOL That would make a crappy necklace huh? I wish I could help you, but I know nothing about flame working. I am sure someone will have the answer for you.

[Olimpia]

I haven't worked on an single fuel torch for a while, what I do remember is that if you are burning your colors you are too close to the torch, back away. Also, if you are melting glass too fast, you are too close. Glass melts pretty slow on a single fuel torch, keep that in mind. I use to try to make it go faster, but the only thing that happens is that you burn the glass.

I'm trying to find a drawing of the flame I had somewhere saved, I'll get back to you.

[Scooch]

I haven't worked on an single fuel torch for a while, what I do remember is that if you are burning your colors you are too close to the torch, back away. Also, if you are melting glass too fast, you are too close. Glass melts pretty slow on a single fuel torch, keep that in mind. I use to try to make it go faster, but the only thing that happens is that you burn the glass.

I'm trying to find a drawing of the flame I had somewhere saved, I'll get back to you.

So you're telling me that I should be patient when melting the glass............     Yeh, I see a problem there.

[Kev]

Got to love that smilie...I wonder what he is muttering?...lol

[Stephen Richard]

If you look at your flame you will see two main parts.  A slightly darker blue inner point and the larger lighter blue point.  You will find the hottest part of the flame is at the point of the inner blue flame.  Any closer to the torch head and you will begin oxidising the glass.

Where you should be working is dependent on what you are trying to do at that point.  If you are melting and shaping, you probably want to be at the hottest point of the flame.  If you are keeping things warm, you want to be further away, possibly even beyond the point of the outer flame.

Steve