Would it be silly or wise to buy this kit? $525.00

You can buy similar kits directly from glass houses - you'd need to compare prices to see if this is a good deal or not.

> > Would it be silly or wise to buy this kit? $525.00 Don't be sweet, tell me > the truth.( :

That's a very reasonable price for what's listed. Monique/Jo-Del glass is a good seller and a pleasure to deal with. You can shop around and compare "kits" from other major vendors:

{8DEF7C55-F011-4A27-82D2-4052E1CE2FF3}&FSCat=44 I think CR Loo has kits too, but I don't deal with them much. KarenK

Are you sure you will be using tanked oxy and propane? Because if you're not, and there is a slight possibility that you'll be using an oxygen concentrator/generator with natural gas or just propane, you won't need all the regulators and flashback arrestors in this package.

My suggestion would be to decide what type of setup will work best for your situation, put together a list of the things you will really, really need and then make the purchase. Frantz, for example, will catch on to the fact that you're getting a kit and give you a discount, anyway. Ask. Shop around. It does look like a pretty good package though, I just wouldn't want to be stuck with (or pay for) extra equipment if I'm not going to use it.

(As a sidenote, and this may very well be just a peeve of mine, but I cringe when folks who sell/are supposed to know about this stuff use phrases such as "two gases" [or "double fuel"] to mean oxygen and propane. This is potentially dangerous stuff, shouldn't they start by using the correct terminology?)

That wasn't sweet, was it? :)

You can get kits from Mike at Auralens too

including better glasses than didyminium (ack, never can spell that right.)

Karin

Karen_AZ wrote:

Jo-Del is a wonderful seller - I buy from her all the time. This is a pretty good deal as far as kits go.

The ac202 are comparible to the aur92 from Mike. Just different brands, I believe.

Frantz also lets you substitute things in the kit that you don't need. That's where I got mine. But if you're planning on using tanked oxy, this is a good bet.

Yeah I have to give props to Jo-Del. I really like dealing with her. However, if you are using an oxygen concentrator you won't need some of the things. You could always sell them on eBay or WC.

Thank you Barbara :)

Thank you for the Links Karen, I will check them out.

Thank you Karin and I have no ideal what didymium or didyminium is anyway. I don't trust people that can spell good.

Yes mam I am going to go with the propane oxy combo. By getting input from you and others I should not get into too much trouble, but I know me ) Lol. A lady in Houston told me about Frantz. I think when I spend the $$$ I will use them more than likely. As for as the Air being gas, there is a "Air Gas" it's a gas made of carbon monoxide and hydrogen and nitrogen; made by passing air over hot coke. You are right about the way they were referring to the gases, it's a whole different deal. Thank you for the information.

Mike Frantz is your buddy.

Jo-Del is a reputable dealer and the price is competetive with other dealers. However, there are items in tht kit that I wouldn't buy, and other where I truly believe your money would be best spent looking into alternatives; for example, rather than buying a propane regulator, hose, flashback arrestor, and then the tank and propane seperately, perhaps you have natural gas in your home, in which case your money would be better spent running a line to your work area.

I almost always recommend to beginners that they skip the oxygen regulator, hose, flashback arrestor, and tank, (tanks are a hassle) and get a used oxygen concentrator instead. It will pay for itself the first month you have it, if you buy it instead of the setup for tanked oxygen.

The rod nipper and shears you really don't need and might as well not buy until you decide you want them. I still, after 12 years, don't have shears, and I rarely use my rod nippers.

Although I really like the Cindy Jenkins book, if you're starting with a book and not a class, I suggest you get James Kervins "More than you ever wanted to know about glass beadmaking". It's dryer and not as pretty, but in terms of hardcore, need-to-know information, it has it all. Corina Tettinger's "Passing the Flame is an expensive purchase at $95 but is, IMO, the best step-by-step beadmaking tutorial book out there.

Good luck!

-Kalera

scott wrote:

> > Would it be silly or wise to buy this kit? $525.00 Don't be sweet, tell me > the truth.( :

I agree. I cannot stress highly enough the convenience of buying a concentrator, especially if you work glass full time, and don't need anything hot enough to melt boro. No tanks to rent or fill, no need to hook up a new tank every month, and the cost of filling oxygen can get quite high. I was spending over $100 per month on tanked oxygen (I was renting the tanks and paying for delivery, though, so YMMV). My concentrator cost me under $300, and requires very little maintenance or hassle. Easier, cheaper, better. Sounds fine to me!

I agree. I didn't even consider the option of getting tanked oxygen. It seemed like a pain. Now I have two concentrators and believe me they put out the O2.

Well having run out of oxygen today (grrrr) at the shop - and I was sorta on a roll :( - I now know that when I get settled I'll either get a concentrator or a generator.

> C_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores > > >> > > >> Would it be silly or wise to buy this kit? $525.00 Don't be sweet, > tell > > >> me

Oh, I sure don't miss running out of oxygen in the middle of a session!! This happens with propane, as well, but not nearly as often. One propane tank lasts me a couple of months. I was getting a new oxy tank every 10 days or so. Ahhhhh, concentrator bliss.....

Thank you Kalera for the info and I just ordered "Passing the Flame". I had to sit at the keyboard for a few mins before I hit the "order button(. $86.00 OUCH !.