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The problem to date has been oxygen. I'm running a propane/oxygen mix torch (Nortel Minor Bench Burner - It just works!) and propane is economical enough but oxygen (Yeah, like we breath) is painfully expensive here. And when I say here, I mean here as in Florence. Somehow Lily and I chose the one place in Italy to live where you pay up to 3 times as much as other areas for oxygen tanks. Each tank, of which we use about one a week, cost 67.00 Euro, plus annual tank rental and other miscellaneous fees. Grrr...
What we needed was an oxygen generator (or oxygen concentrator... I don't know which is which; The machine that creates oxygen for you so as to free you up from tanks).
Years ago Lily and I drove to Switzerland (isn't it Cool to be able to drive to Switzerland?!) to purchase a reconditioned oxygen generator. We had a wonderful trip and I wouldn't trade it for the world, however, the machine we bought was a joke. Of course we didn't know this until we got it home and were sadly disappointed by the lack of oomph.
While still in Switzerland we were concerned because the English-speaking person with whom we spoke prior to our visit was not available (The company is located in the German-speaking section of Switzerland). There was someone who spoke Italian, however, this was years ago and our Italian skills were not what they are today. Plus, as it worked out, we were given a rushed demonstration by a German-speaking attendant because his Italian-speaking co-worker wasn't acquainted with the machine. Oy vey...! In retrospect we obviously should have more forcefully requested to speak to their English-language attendant.
After-the-fact, when we spoke with the company owner, we were informed that the machine was for hobby use, not professional use and so of course it was lacking. Why a hobbyist would be OK with a weak flame is still a bit unclear. In the end we shipped it back for a refund and have been gun-shy ever since. | Years and much online investigation later, we decided to bite the bullet and try again. This machine, however, was not a reconditioned medical-use unit but an all-grown-up, intended-for-lampworking oxygen concentrator... That cost an arm and a leg. Actually what it cost was $1600.00 plus shipping; A true consideration since this one wasn't even on the same continent but in the states. In addition to all the other expenses we would need to pay a steep dogana merci (customs) upon arrival in Italy. The good news was that the Euro was strong against the dollar, so that softened the blow a bit. Of course that same fact means that it is more difficult for our US customers to purchase from us online, or when they are in town visiting. Oh how we long for the days of the Lira! |  |
Actually getting the unit shipped was a bit of a fiasco and for some unknown reason the company recalled one just as it was arriving in Italy, which meant further delays. Plus, once the machine was physically in our possession, we found that the all-important Christmas tree adapter that would allow us to hook the machine up was not present. After much deliberation with the old guys in the neighborhood, it was determined that purchasing a similar adapter here in Italy would not be possible as the size would not be the same as the US-made counterpart. Since we were talking about oxygen under pressure, size does matter; Any leaks mean loss of pressure and therefore loss of a flame powerful enough to lampwork. Sigh... The company from which we ordered the unit sent another adapter to replace the missing one, which had been mailed separetly prior to the machine itself. The first one that was sent arrived the day after the second one did - Welcome to Italy!
And then... The moment of truth! Would this unit live up to its press? Would we indeed be free of the costly albatross that is oxygen tanks? Would I still be able to use More heat then I need when beadmaking? The answer is... Yes. I am very, very pleased with our unit. It's well made, it's simple to use, it's portable, (on wheels) it's low maintenance and it has enough oomph so that I'm never wishing for more power. Of course I'm working soft glass; For boro I can't say. Plus, on top of all that it is quiet, which was an important consideration for us because our studio and store are one. It isn't silent, it has a mechanical-type hum but not bad at all. You could even have it in your living room, if you were so inclined (As I once did for a year or more).  | All-in-all I give our Regalia (by SeQual) a hearty thumbs up. |
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