The cricket rocks!
Posted by KristanHorne on May 28, 2010
hi
I just wanted to share a little about my new torch which I love love love!
It’s a GTT Cricket, I’ve only had it two days and still getting used to little things like the oxy and gas knobs being opposite sides than on my mini CC! But really I’m delighted with it:)
I was so sick of buying tanked oxy this year I invested in a 5lpm concentrator from ASU which is wonderful BUT my mini CC didn’t really appreciate it much. I had looked into the capacity/requirements etc including Lisa Jane’s review here that it will work just slower and thought I could handle a bit slower pace in exchange for free (eventually) oxyegen. Well it did work, but in my opinion, not very well, (a 5 lpm concentrator is recommended to only run at 4.5 too) admittedly i’m not the most patient person in the world and I felt like I’d gone from broadband back to dialup!
I really didn’t want to spend another $700 on a second concentrator so I decided on this alternative option… $300 for a torch designed to run on minimal oxygen! I got mine from Kerri at affordable inspiration and it’s Awesome!
Plenty of heat, good control (when i remember which knob is which!) and making beads is FUN again:)
IngeChappell said
Hey Kristan,
I’ve just ordered a oxygen generator as well so interesting your comments and experiences with the mini cc. I’m not the most patient beadmaker either so to have a slow flame would be a bit of let down. Is this torch easy to hook up and no hassles with bringing in from overseas?
Thanks
Inge Chappell
KristanHorne said
Hi Inge
I’d seriously reccomend getting one!
I just wasn’t satisfied trying to use the mini, not just slow but I couldn’t get a pinpoint flame either. The one advantage was when I put a rod of white in the flame it didn’t explode like I usually do! I don’t think I made any good beads during the couple of months I tried, but in the last few days I have again. The criket flame is a bit smaller, thinner, than the mini on a tank, but I don’t feel any impediment in comparison, I’m still learning how to adjust it though. It was so easy to hook up. I just pulled the hoses off my mini and put them straight onto the cricket.
I’d emailed GTT in the USA and they were slow to reply, I asked Kerri at Affordable Inspiration if she would be selling them as she had one to win and she was waiting on a shipment from them which took 6 months to get to her in Australia so I grabbed one. Not sure if she still has any, maybe, but she was ordering more. I think it was $308 NZ with shipping, which I consider a bargain, and I got it within a week from her.
All the best
BorntoBeadnz said
Wicked comments Kristan thanks again for adding your most valuable information, coupled with the extracxtion unit you put together I think you can teach us all a little something
I know that Donna was looking to invest in Crickets for her studio in Wanganui so the feedback is much appreciated, I hope she reads this. Send us some pics on showcase to show us what you are up to 