Propane rosebud questions

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I bought an Oxygen-Propane Rosebud for my Victor Journeyman torch set (100 series, smaller body), and I have some questions.Propane seems harder to light than acetylene.  Is that normal?I am using my acetylene regulator, so I am limited to 15 psi on the propane side.  Would I get much more heat with higher pressure from a propane regulator?I have a size 8 rosebud, the largest available on the smaller body torch.  (You can get size 10 on the larger body).  It does not seem that much hotter than my acetylene cutting torch tip, which is how I heated before.   I was expecting more heat, which is why I bought the rosebud.  (I know that withdrawal rates are limited from acetylene tanks, so I went with propane).  The rosebud cost me around $150, had to be special ordered, they ordered the wrong one the first time, so it was kind of a big deal.What can I do to get more heat?   Would I need two torches?  I can't see any way for me to use two hand-held torches without a helper.   I was toying with using a fixed 50,000 BTU propane-air torch on the opposite side to provide general heating, and then use the propane-oxygen torch to heat specific areas.  (Think bending 1/4 inch plate).Decades ago, I worked in a fabrication shop where we used rosebuds to heat up pipe, and the rosebuds we were using seemed bigger and more powerful than what I have, but that was a long time ago.My primary application of the torch would be bending, although I have used it in blacksmith techniques such as upsetting (making shorter and thicker).RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Propane seems harder to light than acetylene. Is that normal?
Reply:I would say that you have the wrong set up for your application. The propane flame is nice for heating pipe because you are holding teh torch farther frome the material and the flame will wrap around the contour of the pipe. The heat of the acetylene flame is a lot more concentated, and works a lot better if you are trying to heat only a verty narrow zone for making sharp bends. When withdrawal rates are a concern, simply go to the largest cylinder available, and if requirements still aren't met, go with a multiple cylinder set up. I have run #14 rosebuds at 15 psi. with no problems using three cylinders. Any more and you will need a manifold system.
Reply:Originally Posted by Pro-FabI would say that you have the wrong set up for your application. .
Reply:I still have my acetylene cutting tip that I can use for concentrated heating.   I had not thought of it, but I can see your point, that the propane rosebud has less concentrated heat, so that is a difference.   Good to keep in mind.One project I have coming up is to make a Mobius like the one below, out of 3/16 inch thick plate.  I will start with 12 feet by 1.5 feet, end up around 3.5 feet tall.  I have a fab shop roll it to get started, and then I have to use heat to bend it the rest of the way.  In this case, a more diffused heat is probably better, as I want all the bends to look smooth.Another use is to heat the end of a 3/4 inch square rod so I can upset it.But of course heating torches are very versatile tools, I cannot predict what I will use one for next.Richard Attached ImagesSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge