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Unpopular opinion: I used to think you needed a huge torch for solid work
I mean, for years I was convinced you needed a big, heavy duty torch to do any serious sculpting or solid work. I started on a Nortel Minor about a decade ago, and I thought I had to upgrade to something huge to get better. Then maybe three years ago, I tried a friend's Carlisle CC setup, which isn't that much bigger, and it totally changed my mind. I realized it was more about flame chemistry and control than just raw size. Now I do almost all my solid work on a mid-range torch and my pieces are way more detailed. Has anyone else found that a smaller, more precise flame actually helped their work more than just going bigger?
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hannah_perry6mo ago
My old studio teacher in Chicago swore by a massive Bethlehem for heavy sculpting. You just can't get the same heat base for large gathers with a small flame, no matter the control. Sometimes brute force is the right tool.
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faith_thomas6mo ago
Exactly. I chased that same idea for a while, always eyeing the bigger torches. I had this old tank of a thing that felt like holding a rocket launcher. Switched to a smaller hand torch for detail work and it was a game changer. The control is everything. You can pin down a tiny spot without cooking the whole piece. Bigger just meant hotter and faster, which isn't always what you need.
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