Brisbane, Australia Phone (07)3279 0022
e-mail: sales@ozziebuddy.com

Hot Head Torch
Setup & Information Page

This page is very long, please scroll down for full descriptions of set-up options as well as operation and equipment maintenance informations.

The HotHead Torch is one of the simplest and easiest torches to use when making glass beads. It is also one of the least expensive on the market today making it an excellent choice for beginner or experienced persons alike.

New owners of the HOTHEAD Beadmaking torch may find this information useful when setting up any of the Torch Kits purchased from Ozziebuddy

Connecting the adapters supplied in the kits to Propane Tanks of different configurations may prove troublesome to some - so this Information Page may answer most or all of your gas tank connectivity questions.


Please Note : The information supplied here relates to most Propane Gas tanks available in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

We have a solution for all HOTHEAD Beadmakers.

This is an image of the EUROKIT 3 fully installed on a Hothead torch and connected to a bulk 9kg gas tank in Australia.

Should you need to connect a HOTHEAD torch to a large Propane Gas tank ANYWHERE in the WORLD e-mail Cornel : support@ozziebuddy.com


Click on this image for a larger view.

The HOTHEAD Beadmaking Torch may be attached to several styles of tanks.

The picture above shows the most popular sizes of tanks that we recommend for beadmakers.

THE 2kg GAS TANK
The small 2kg tank has excellent portability for taking your beadmaking kit on camping trips, to a friend's house, doing a demo,
or for attending a weekend beadmaking course nearby.
THE 9kg GAS TANK
The larger 9kg tank, as used on most domestic barbeques is the most fuel efficient tank for long hours of beadmaking and may only need a refill about once a month if used for 6 hours a day - 6 days a week

2kg and 9kg tanks explained.

The size designation of your gas tank defines it's capacity, not it's weight.
When you purchase a new propane gas tank and take it to your local camping store for filling,
a 2kg gas tank will become 2 kilograms heavier when filled with Liguid Propane Gas (LPG)
Likewise, your 9kg bulk tank will become 9 kilograms heavier when full.

Connecting your Ozziebuddy Hothead Torch Kit to a Standard LPG/BBQ Gas Tank.

Figure 1 shows the orifice of the 9kg (barbeque) gas tank and the POL adapter on the end of the Hothead hose assembly as supplied in all Ozziebuddy kits.

The POL adapter has been ADDED to the end of the supplied gas hose to allow you to connect to a 9kg or 4.5kg gas tank with the same outlet.
Click on this image for a larger view.

The hose may be separated from the POL adapter so you
can connect it to the top of the 2kg gas tank.


Click on this image for a larger view.


Click here to see Figure 7 below to see how this is done.

Figure 3 shows you how to TIGHTEN the POL adapter with a shifting spanner.

MOVE THE SPANNER TO THE LEFT. (Counter Clockwise)

Tighten the POL adapter to a point where you feel resistance - then just a tad further.
There is no need to over-tighten most brass gas adapters as brass is a soft metal and the adapter may become damaged by a heavy hand.
Click on this image for a larger view.

WHY IS THERE A GROOVE IN THE CENTRE OF SOME ADAPTERS?
In Australia, a gas fitting with a groove in the centre of the adapter indicates that it is a LEFT HAND THREAD.

IF an adapter is unmarked you can assume that it has a RIGHT HAND THREAD.


So - to TIGHTEN an adapter with a groove in it, you need to turn it COUNTER-CLOCKWISE as shown in the picture above.

Figure 4 shows you how to REMOVE or LOOSEN a LEFT HAND THREAD adapter.

MOVE THE SPANNER TO THE RIGHT. (CLOCKWISE)

Ensure that your gas hose is NOT PRESSURISED when loosening the POL adapter.
OPEN THE TAP of your Hothead Torch and expel the gas in the hose before removing any adapter.
Click on this image for a larger view.

PROLONGING THE LIFE OF YOUR EQUIPMENT

To prolong the life of your gas hose and for minimising the possible build-up of gas residue in your hose which may affect the performance of your Hothead Torch, we recommend that you follow these shutdown procedures:

FINISH your beadmaking session by :

CLOSING the tap on your bulk gas tank and
then OPENING the tap on your Hothead Torch to expel ALL the gas.

CLOSE the tap on your Hothead Torch after all the gas has escaped.
YOUR Hothead Torch is now ready for your next beadmaking session.

Figure 5 shows you how to TIGHTEN the LEFT HAND THREAD hose adapter on a 2kg gas tank.

TIGHTEN the Hose fitting by turning it COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

Tighten the Hose to a point where you feel resistance - then just a tad further.

There is an O-ring inside the hose.
Excessive tightening on a 2kg tank may damage this O-ring in time and it may need to be replaced if you hear gas escaping from this area.
Click on this image for a larger view.

IF you can't find an O-ring of the correct size from you local gas shop
contact Cornel : support@ozziebuddy.com

Figure 6 shows you how to LOOSEN the LEFT HAND THREAD
hose adapter on a 2kg gas tank.


YOU will need to turn it CLOCKWISE.

Ensure that your gas hose is NOT PRESSURISED when loosening the hose adapter. You can do this by opening the tap on the Hothead Torch first.
Click on this image for a larger view.


Separating the POL adapter from the hose.

Click on this image for a larger view.

Using two spanners, you may separate the POL adapter from the hose adapter by turning the POL adapter nut in a CLOCKWISE direction.

Click here to go back to Figure 2

Separating the Hothead adapter from the hose.

Referring to Figure 8, using two spanners, you may separate the HOTHEAD adapter from the hose adapter by turning the HOTHEAD adapter in a COUNTER-CLOCKWISE direction.

ALL adapters at the torch end are RIGHT HAND THREAD.
Click on this image for a larger view.

Joining the SMALL TANK adapter to the HOTHEAD Adapter.

After separating the HOTHEAD adapter from the hose as shown in Figure 8, screw the SMALL TANK adapter on to the HOTHEAD adapter and tighten in a CLOCKWISE direction.

Tighten until you feel resistance - then just a tad more to make a good seal.

The O-ring on the HOTHEAD adapter is an additional gas seal
so this connection needs to be quite tight.
Click on this image for a larger view.

TIGHTEN the lower part SMALL TANK adapter on to your small tank
by turning it ANTI-CLOCKWISE.

With the SMALL TANK adapter now fitted to your HOTHEAD adapter and the whole assembly installed on top of your small tank,
you are now ready to make beads.

 

Please see below for instructions on Lighting the Hothead Torch .

Click for larger image!

Lighting the torch with your flint striker.

Click on this image for a larger view.

When you have secured your HOTHEAD torch to your workbench and/or Gas bottle, please follow these steps:-

1. Turn your HOTHEAD gas tap OFF. (Clockwise to shut position.)

2. Turn ON the tap from your gas tank and listen for any sign of a gas leak from your hose or gas adapters. The Hothead Torch operates on full tank pressure so you do not need a Regulator. Open the tap several turns for best flow rate.

3. Have your Shurlite Flint Striker ready in one hand - just above the top of the torch.

4. Turn ON (turn Counter-Clockwise) the tap of your HOTHEAD torch - you only need to open it about a 1/4 turn - and squeeze your striker quickly (several times) to raise a spark and ignite the gas coming out.

You may at first be SURPRISED by the sudden IGNITION and POPPING of the gas as the torch fires up - but I assure you that this is normal.

5. Withdraw your striker as soon as a flame appears - and adjust your flame as desired.

You are now ready to make beads.