Carlisle Torch Family Guide

Carlisle Machine Works has built precision bench burners for glassworkers for decades. Bead makers, soft glass artists, borosilicate lampworkers, scientific glassblowers, and production studios all use them. Several Carlisle models run very well on oxygen concentrators when the oxygen supply is matched to the torch. This guide combines Carlisle's published recommendations with Bradshaw Oxygen's experience setting up concentrator-powered studios.

Carlisle Torches at a Glance

Torch	Best For	Typical Oxygen Demand	Recommended Oxygen System
Minor Burner	Soft glass, beads, small work	Low	Single or dual 10 LPM concentrators, depending on flame size
Mini CC	Beads, marbles, small borosilicate, detail work	About 7 LPM	One 10 LPM concentrator; add a second for headroom
WildCat	Medium borosilicate, hollow work, general lampworking	About 15 LPM	Dual 10 LPM concentrators
HellCat	Large borosilicate, production, hollow vessels	About 7 LPM center fire, about 21 LPM center + outer fire	Dual 10 LPM for center fire; more capacity for both fires
Lucio	Soft glass sculpture, Venetian work, broad heating	Varies with flame size	Dual 10 LPM for many artists; size to your largest flame
CC Series	Heavy production, large borosilicate, scientific glass	Varies by model and flame size	Dual 10 LPM for smaller flames; high-capacity system for large flames

Actual oxygen use depends on flame size, fuel, glass type, and working technique.

What Every Carlisle Torch Has in Common

• Fuels: propane, natural gas, or hydrogen, paired with oxygen. Many soft glass artists prefer natural gas for its broad flame.
• Starting regulator pressures: about 5 PSI oxygen and 2 PSI fuel (2 to 3 PSI fuel on the HellCat). For CC Series models, follow the instruction sheet for your exact model.
• Fine tuning: adjust the flame with the torch valves, not by raising regulator pressure.
• Flow matters more than pressure: raising regulator pressure does not create more oxygen. Your concentrators must produce enough oxygen volume (LPM) at good purity for the flame you want.

Carlisle Minor Burner

A long-time favorite of bead makers and soft glass artists. The Minor produces a stable, focused flame for precision work, and its low oxygen demand makes it one of the easiest Carlisle torches to run on concentrators.

• Best for: soft glass beads, lampworked jewelry, small sculpture, marbles, small borosilicate, home and teaching studios
• Starting pressures: oxygen 5 PSI, fuel 2 PSI
• Oxygen system: single or dual 10 LPM concentrators depending on flame size. Two 5 LPM units may work for smaller flames.

Carlisle Mini CC

One of the most popular compact Carlisle torches and one of the most oxygen-efficient. A great choice when you are starting out with oxygen concentrators.

• Best for: beads, marbles, small borosilicate, detail work
• Starting pressures: oxygen 5 PSI, fuel 2 PSI
• Typical use: about 7 LPM oxygen and 1.5 LPM propane
• Oxygen system: one healthy 10 LPM concentrator covers the Mini CC at full flame. A second unit, such as a pair of Invacare Platinum 10 or Drive DeVilbiss 10 concentrators, adds headroom if you plan to upgrade torches.

Carlisle WildCat

The WildCat bridges detail torches and production burners. It gives a broad, stable flame with much more heat than the Mini CC while staying practical on a dual-concentrator setup.

• Best for: medium borosilicate, hollow work, larger marbles, pendants, soft glass sculpture, daily production
• Starting pressures: oxygen 5 PSI, fuel 2 PSI
• Typical use: about 15 LPM oxygen and 3 LPM propane
• Oxygen system: two well-maintained 10 LPM concentrators. Artists running very large flames may want extra capacity. Two 5 LPM units generally won't keep up.

Carlisle HellCat

One of the highest-output Carlisle bench burners, with independently adjustable center and outer fires. Use the center fire for precision work and add the outer fire when you need a much larger heat envelope.

• Best for: large borosilicate sculpture, hollow vessels, heavy wall tubing, scientific glass, production
• Starting pressures: oxygen 5 PSI, fuel 2 to 3 PSI
• Typical use: center fire about 7 LPM oxygen and 1.5 LPM propane; center + outer fire about 21 LPM oxygen and 4.5 LPM propane
• Oxygen system: dual 10 LPM concentrators handle the center fire for many artists. Running both fires at high output may need additional concentrators, a higher-capacity system, or bottled oxygen.

Carlisle Lucio

Built for soft glass artists who need a wide, gentle flame that heats larger areas evenly. The broad flame helps reduce localized overheating and thermal shock.

• Best for: soft glass sculpture, Venetian techniques, larger beads, color work, broad heating
• Starting pressures: oxygen 5 PSI, fuel 2 PSI
• Typical use: no single published figure; oxygen use rises with flame size
• Oxygen system: dual 10 LPM concentrators work for many artists. Size your system to the largest flame you plan to use.

Carlisle CC Series

A versatile, high-output family with independently adjustable center and outer fires, giving you a concentrated flame for detail work and a large envelope for big projects.

• Best for: large borosilicate, hollow vessels, scientific glass, heavy wall tubing, production, functional glass
• Starting pressures: follow the instruction sheet for your model; many start around 5 PSI oxygen and 2 PSI fuel
• Typical use: varies by model, flame size, and how much you use the outer fire
• Oxygen system: dual 10 LPM concentrators work for many smaller-flame setups. Large flames and heavy outer fire use need a higher-capacity oxygen system.

Safety and Maintenance

• Install flashback arrestors on both the oxygen and fuel lines.
• Inspect hoses, regulators, and fittings and leak-test before each session. Replace damaged hoses right away.
• Work in a well-ventilated space with proper lampworking eye protection, and keep combustibles away from the torch.
• Light the fuel first, then slowly add oxygen. When finished, shut off oxygen and fuel and let the torch cool before moving or servicing it.
• Keep concentrator filters clean and keep an eye on oxygen purity as units age.

Is My Flame Weak?

Common causes include low oxygen purity, dirty concentrator filters, not enough oxygen flow for the flame size, regulator issues, leaks in hoses or fittings, or torch valve adjustment. On the HellCat and CC Series, turning up the outer fire raises oxygen demand, so the flame can change if your oxygen supply can't keep up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Carlisle torches run on oxygen concentrators?

Yes. Many Carlisle torches run well on concentrators when the oxygen system is sized for the flame you plan to use.

Is PSI or oxygen flow more important?

For concentrator users, oxygen flow (LPM) and purity matter more than raising regulator pressure.

Which Carlisle torch is best for beginners?

The Minor Burner and Mini CC, because of their modest oxygen needs.

Which Carlisle torch produces the most heat?

The HellCat and larger CC Series models.

Need Help Sizing Your Oxygen System?

Bradshaw Oxygen specializes in oxygen concentrator systems for lampworking and glassblowing, including professionally serviced and tested units and dual-concentrator setups. Tell us your Carlisle model, fuel, glass type, and typical flame size.

Call (828) 380-6287, text photos of your setup, or email info@bradshawoxygen.com.

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