Thanks all. Will check out and compare my torch with Carole's when I'm back in Kernow. Will also check out a sievert because I suspect having a lot more ooomph would be good for some of the bigger things anyway. Trialuser, (can't do individual quotes as on phone with a dodgy signal), I usually run the oxycon for 30 mins minimum before trying to light it. Basically the flame is either really tiny (about 3cm) or it goes out. I'm half hoping I'm being a poor workman and blaming my tools because its preferable to improve practice than fork out dosh