I have done a searched and read lots in the archives but I haven’t
seen this exact question.
I fabricated silver jewelry. For years I have successful used a
Smith Acetylene/Air torch. But recently when soldering prongs I
started having trouble with its large flame.
I want to get a more precise torch. Friends have recommended both
the Little Torch and the Meco Midget torch. Do any of you have any
thoughts about the benefits of one over the other? I do also use
gold with my silver if that makes any difference.
I want to get a more precise torch. Friends have recommended both
the Little Torch and the Meco Midget torch. Do any of you have any
thoughts about the benefits of one over the other? I do also use
gold with my silver if that makes any difference.
Since you work with silver only why not spend a lot less money on a
set of different size torch tips than another torch, tanks, and
regulators.
I used the Meco Midget torch for the 8 years I worked as a goldsmith
at a custom jewelry store and I have two of them in my studio now.
So, I guess that means I’ve used mine for about 18 years. If you get
a good variety of tips, you should be very happy with it. I use
propane/oxygen as my fuel. I work with silver, gold, platinum and
also do a lot of casting. I’d like to get the biggest tip for
casting just because the one I do use seems like it could use a
boost…although it always heats up the [average of] 11- 15 grams
of gold that I melt for casting. I do LOTS of prong repair and have
had many many occasions, over the years, to use the torch to solder
lots of prongs onto cast or hand-built pieces.
I have never used a Little Torch. I don’t think you’d regret getting
a Midget torch.
Friends have recommended both the Little Torch and the Meco Midget
torch. Do any of you have any thoughts about the benefits of one
over the other?
I have used both the Meco Midget and the Little torch. I would say
that the Meco is more versatile. You can get a pretty small, intense
flame, or as large a flame as you need for anything except perhaps
large castings. The Little torch can produce a smaller, very hot
flame, but is much more limited on the high end.
Both the meco and the little torch are excellent torches, I have one
of each on my bench. IF you are going to limit yourself to one
torch, and are working silver I would recommend the meco, as it has
a larger flame and more capacity for heating than the little torch
has. However if you want the smallest flame for delicate work the
little torch is hard to beat. I normally use mine for chain repair
and some retipping gold prongs.
Have you ever tried just taking the tip off altogether? You can
use the Meco that way, and that's got to be the largest flame you
can get on it!
Safe, Yes, this is the way we torch annealed at Jewelry Boot Camp .
It makes a large, soft, bushy flame with Oxygen and Natural gas. The
Meco Midget is perhaps the most flexible, and most durable of all
the torches available.
Everyone started with the Meco, then moved to the Little Torch I
still prefer my Little Torch for ring sized work, in metals, other
than silver.