I live in an apartment, so I’m still using a butane torch. I dream
of the day i get a house so i can get a real torch!
I’ve never invested the money in a blazer torch sold through most
jeweler stores, i’ve just bought “cheapie” butane torches at the
hardware store (they’re orange and self ignighting and last me about
6 months if i don’t drop them, then they start having issues with
filling or starting or… and for $10 i replace 'em).
I also bought this butane torch from Rio and love it
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep8074
I find i’m able to anneal small pieces of sheet (1" or so) without a
problem. I’ve never tried annealing large coils of wire.
Soldering wise, I’m able to make pieces in 18 ga sheet up to 2"
large, but sometimes have to double up the butane torches (one above
and one below) on a tripod to get the solder to flow well - with only
one torch from below the tripod acts as too much of a heatsink to get
the whole piece up to temperature…
I also think that a “real” torch, in allowing better control of the
flame, would probably have less oxidazation - i don’t have much
control over how bushy my flame is - just how big it is… but i’ve
gotten along well and can make most of the pieces i dream up. I just
can’t make belt buckles, or bracelets out of sheet… or large items
in general.
I hope this helps!