Gas safety, bits and bites

Jewelry Discussion
1

I’m pretty sure that the zircon vs. zirconia debate has been quenched
but I’d like to add that a late friend of mine, a self-trained
"adornment historian" and gemstone dealer named his very favorite
stone to be zircon. He would go on and on about how zircon
(translated) is mentioned several times in the bible, was the stone
set in Julius Ceasar’s armor, in Joan of Arcs’ sword…I so wish he
were still here to elaborate on his personal passion. The oldest
mineral dated on earth? The zircon. I have several, many of which I
ID’d myself after peering inside and seeing obvious double
refraction.

I have a big question about propane. After reading about gas safety
here in this forum, or should I say, learned much but a little too
late, all I need for my small scale op is the little double-walled
disposable tank. Someone wrote that it would last for months with a
Little torch. That was the tidbit I’d been searching for but found
AFTER I bought a dual gauge, single phase regulator. You know, the
one that costs as much as 40 disposable tanks? After being sold on
the double walled tank I have learned that they don’t exist to fit
this regulator, unless someone knows better. Not one propane gas
supplier in my city knows what I’m talking about regarding double
walled versus single walled tanks. Keep in mind that my problems
would be solved if I just went and got a five gallon single-walled
propane tank from the gramps at OSH that think I’m just crazy for
being saftey concerned. The Smith little torch I bought from Rio was
labelled propane but now I can’t find any anatomical difference
between this one and the acetylene version. Is there a difference? I
am planning on calling Rio and asking if it just comes down to the
tips but I do want to know from the forum, what are your preferences
and experiences using acetylene or propane? Why one over the other?
I have a lovely 50lb. oxygen tank waiting for a partner. Then I have
to figure out what to do with this gorgeous Smith MAPP gas regulator
(can’t be returned) if I have to break down and get a disposable
tank regulator. Whew, did ya get all that? This is what happens to
folks who buy before they try.

Jaye

2

Hello Jaye,

The Smith little torch I bought from Rio was labelled propane but
now I can't find any anatomical difference between this one and the
acetylene version. Is there a difference? Then I have to figure out
what to do with this gorgeous Smith MAPP gas regulator (can't be
returned) if I have to break down and get a disposable tank
regulator. Whew, did ya get all that? This is what happens to folks
who buy before they try.

The only difference between the acetylene and propane Little Torch
kits WITHOUT regulators are the tips. Same handle, different size
tips. Propane can’t run anything smaller than a #3 tip, and even
then it can be test in patience. The smallest tip I use is the #4
because I’m an instant gratification kind of guy, but your mileage
may very.

There are no disposable tanks or adapters (that I know of) that will
fit a single or dual stage regulator. If the regulator is unused and
you purchased it from Rio please send it back. We also have the
regulator for the disposable tanks (500-093) $39.95.

For what it’s worth, I find the disposable systems not as precise
but still very usable. If your planning on melting metal for casting
you’ll need a tank and regulators, a disposable system just won’t do
it.

Sincerely,
Thackeray Taylor
Rio Grande Technical Sales and Support

3

Hi Jaye

all I need for my small scale op is the little double-walled
disposable tank

I am a big fan of the one pound disposable propane tanks for my
Llittle Torch. I don’t recall ever seeing a double walled propane
tank, not sure anyone actually makes one. Also I do not think that a
double walled tank will increase the safety of the tank.

The one pound disposable tank with a regulator made specifically for
those tanks is the way to go. The type of regulator that you have is
generally used with the refillable type of tank.

If you want to use the disposable tank you are going to have to buy
the appropriate regulator.

Regards
Milt Fischbein