Whether you’re melting soft glass into delicate beads or crafting heavy borosilicate pipes, knowing your daily oxygen consumption is critical. It affects your bottom line, informs studio setup decisions, and helps you avoid mid-project surprises. This guide breaks down typical oxygen usage for both soft glass and borosilicate artists, so you can plan with confidence. If you’re ready to crunch numbers, check out the interactive tool below:

Torch Types and Typical Oxygen Flow Rates

Your oxygen usage depends largely on the type of glass you’re working with and the torch you use.

Soft Glass Beadmaking (Low Oxygen Demand)

Used for: beads, pendants, small ornaments
Common torches: Nortel Minor, Bethlehem Bravo, GTT Lynx, National 8M

Flame Size	Flow Rate (LPM)
Fine detail / stringer	2–4 LPM
Standard beadmaking	5–7 LPM (avg: 6)
Larger beads/small sculpts	8–12 LPM

Borosilicate Work (High Oxygen Demand)

Used for: pipes, marbles, large tubes
Common torches: GTT Phantom, Carlisle CC, Nortel Red Max

Flame Size	Flow Rate (LPM)
Detail work	5–10 LPM
Medium tubing/marbles	15–25 LPM (avg: 25)
Large tubing/seals	30–50+ LPM

Daily Burn Time: Realistic Studio Usage

Even in a long studio day, your torch won’t run nonstop. Artists often break up their time with prep work, annealing, cleaning, and rest.

Artist Type	Avg Torch Time per Day
Soft Glass Beadmaker	~4 hours (240 minutes)
Borosilicate Artist	~5 hours (300 minutes)

Oxygen Usage Estimates

Soft Glass Example

• Flow rate: 6 LPM
• Torch time: 4 hours
• Daily oxygen use:
  6 LPM × 240 min = 1,440 liters = ~50.9 cubic feet

A standard K-size cylinder (244 cf) lasts ~4–5 days at this rate.

Borosilicate Example

• Flow rate: 25 LPM
• Torch time: 5 hours
• Daily oxygen use:
  25 LPM × 300 min = 7,500 liters = ~265 cubic feet

A single K-cylinder may not cover a full day. Many boro artists use oxygen concentrators or LOX dewars for this reason.

Tips to Optimize Oxygen Efficiency

• Use the right flame for the job – Don’t over-flame. Most tasks can be done with a smaller, more efficient flame.
• Run a neutral or slightly reducing flame – Oxidizing flames burn more oxygen.
• Turn off your torch during breaks – Idle flames = wasted fuel.
• Use a flowmeter – Track actual usage and spot inefficiencies.
• Batch your work – Group prep tasks to minimize high-flame time.
• Invest in an oxygen generator – Especially useful for high-consumption setups.

Summary Table

Factor	Soft Glass Beadmaking	Borosilicate Pipework
Typical Flame Rate	~6 LPM	~25 LPM
Torch Time per Day	~4 hours	~5 hours
Daily O₂ Consumption	~1,440 L / 50.9 cf	~7,500 L / 265 cf
Tank Use Estimate	1 K-tank = ~4–5 days	1 K-tank = <1 day

Understanding your oxygen usage isn’t just about numbers—it’s about creating a safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective studio. Whether you’re just starting out or refining a pro setup, estimating your oxygen footprint is the first step toward better planning.