New Tools Oxygenator – written by Lisa-Jane Harvey
Posted by BorntoBeadnz on January 30, 2010
Oxygenator – One of the highest consumed products we are faced with is Oxygen (stuff should be free! But alas adds a great expense to our art). An oxygenator is a great idea to basically get free oxy. An oxygenator is designed for those who need pure oxygen at home. The one offered by ASU Medical equipment are reconditioned. They are expected to last for an additional 5000 hours and can be serviced once a year if you so wish. They have filters which will need a clean every now and then.
Having recently invested in one I must say I am very pleased. You basically remove the regulator (does anyone want to buy an oxygen regulator?) from the blue oxygen pipe and attach it to the hose fitting on the oxygenator. Careful with this I nearly broke mine off and I know some who have. You then run the oxygenator (very easy on off switch) for a few minutes until the pressure reaches 4. You are ready to roll.
The oxygenator is $618NZD. Born to Bead uses approximately two large oxygen bottles a week so I will have return on investment in less than 2 months. A less active studio will probably only realise ROI in 6 months or more, but there after there are no more bottle rentals and no more refills a great plus.
Pros
- Free gas once ROI is achieved
- No waiting for deliveries or remembering to order new gas
- No trying to frantically finish the last dregs of the bottle before tomorrow’s delivery
- Steady flame
Cons
- Noisy so I placed mine on a carpet and that seemed to help
- Mine dispels a lot of heat so for small studios with inadequate ventilation it will get warm
- It is removing oxygen from the air you are breathing if you have no ventilation ensure you have fresh air coming into your studio or you will end up in a depleted oxygen environment
- The flame is steady but relatively weak so I have had to get used to longer torch time, ok if you are a hobbyist as gas is free but if you are billing every minute there’s a compromise
- No more sexy delivery boys
Oxygenator users:
Isla Osbourne
Lisa-Jane Harvey
Frances & John Hanson
Laurie Carroll
ASU medical equipment servicing
$550 ex GST (mention NZGBA as RRP is now $650 ex GST, Jim is holding last years prices for NZGBA members only)
Jim Smith
09 818 8736 or mobile 0274 771 120
asu@clear.net.nz
Laurie Carroll said
Hi… Lisa-Jane is spot on with ASU Ltd…I managed to break off the plastic tube piece the O2 hose goes onto in November 09 (packing to move) and after contacting Jim have got it repaired in a few minutes for $20-25 (cant recall the exact amount now) and its currently awaiting power being connected to my new studio/shed…I really recommend these guys..BTW some one here is using two together on a tee connection, to get the max out of their torch..
Rgds
Laurie