If your students want a way to have a torch, with a fuel supply that
is as least harmful as possible to the environment, I would recommend
a G-tec Torch Booster (in my opinion). It takes your regular city
natural gas line and it boosts it up, from anywhere to 1 psi to 15
psi. I have the G-tec 15 and I am upgrading to the G-tec 60, so I can
run multiple torches and a crazy large glass torch, all at the same
time. I love my G-tec. I don’t have to worry about running out of
gas. I don’t have to tank my tanks outside (propane), or worry about
how dirty acetylene is. If your students’ can run their torches off
oxygen generators, then they won’t have to worry about O2 tanks
either.
Getting a G-tec booster and an oxygen generator would be a great
start to a smart studio.
A couple of posters have said how sick of the “green” movement
they’ve become. How people talk one way, and act another. I’m sorry
that’s happening so much where you live. I wanted to let you know
that’s not what’s happening in Bend, Oregon.
The other night I met some friends for dinner, and the restaurant
was using produce from local farms, and meat from local ranchers. Two
of my friends had their helmets with them; they had both biked to
work and did so on a daily basis. Another friends truck is powered by
bio-diesel, and he is a local blacksmith. The blacksmith also has an
enduro, an onroad-offroad motorcycle, that he runs errands on. When
we go out to eat, we grab the tupperware out of our car (I have a
car), for the doggy bag items. I guess in some communities it’s a way
of life. If I saw someone litter, I would pick the item up and hand
it to them and tell them they dropped something.
As for the G-tec torch booster, I’m not affiliated in any way, I’m
just a super happy customer. In fact, my neighbor is going to buy one
too. Great folks at G-tec.
As to the “greenest” torch… Once your students decide what torch
is best for them, and for gawd sakes, please try and make sure they
try out more than just the Smith Little Torch (this is from someone
who BOUGHT the Little Torch FIRST, so I’m allowed to say that!), try
and encourage them to try and buy used. When you buy new, your carbon
footprint is MUCH LARGER than if you buy used. If they buy a Used
Made in America, then their carbon footprint is even smaller, because
the original product didn’t have to be shipped halfway around the
world. If it can’t be “green” at least you can try and reduce your
impact on the world by thinking of your carbon footprint.
Hth,
Sandra b