New Little Torch problems

Jewelry Discussion
1

Howdy, Gang!

I am beginning to feel like those people who walk by a computer (or
a piece of machinery, or whatever) and the thing starts throwing
parts at them. The last few weeks I have had more than my share of
printer & computer problems, now it’s my new Little Torch.

It’s only 2-3 months old, and I don’t know if it’s “jinxed” or if I
just don’t know what I’m doing (a REAL possiblity). So, please kind
jeweler friends, help me one more time! By the way, the instruction
book tells you more than anyone would want to know about
cutting/welding torches, but not a word or even a sketch of a
jewelers torch.

  1. The gauge measuring hose pressure on the acetylene tank doesn’t
    go completely to 0 when I close the tank and clear the line. (I had
    to send the oxygen regulator back before I used it because it
    wouldn’t hold pressure, so I have my suspicions.) Is this a problem,
    or just one of those things that happens?

  2. I cannot keep a constant flame. When I get it regulated to the
    size, shape, color, etc. that I want, many times it changes, mostly
    losing any yellow flame and ending up with strictly blue.

  3. What size tip do I need to be using fto solder silver? Same for
    brass and copper?

  4. What pressures do I need to set my regulators at for both of the
    tanks and both of the hoses?

  5. Yesterday I started getting “flash back” to the fuel adjustment
    valve on the torch handle. Makes it kind of hard to shut the valve
    off through all those flames! Something tells me this is not the
    appropriate way for the torch to be functioning!

Yes, I have flash back (is that the right term) valves on both
regulators.

Well, these are all my current dilemmas. Any other hints and tips
will be graciously received!

Candy

2

You need to send the stuff back to Smith!!! You have real troubles.

http://www.littletorch.com/
http://www.littletorch.com/help.html

I forwarded your letter to Smith – I hope they respond monday.
Their service phone # is 1- 800-843-7912 7 am- 4:30 pm M-F
Don’t fool with it.
An off line reply bounced your address

jesse

3 
      Yesterday I started getting "flash back" to the fuel
adjustment valve on the torch handle.  Makes it kind of hard to
shut the valve off through all those flames!  Something tells me
this is not the appropriate way for the torch to be functioning!

The valves that controls the fuel and oxygen flows are held into the
torch body with a nut like devise. If this is loose as you adjust
the flows the nut will turn a little. This will give you an
inconsistent flame adjustment and the flame may vary as you move the
torch and the valve assemble moves a little. Even worse the fuel
will leak out around this nut and it can ignite!!!

It sounds as if this is your problem. You can adjust the nut’s
tension, but since the torch is so new, I would suggest returning
it. The torch tip must also be screwed on tightly.

This problem can be made worse by setting the fuel pressure too
high. Set your pressure very low by using the regulator and ignite
your torch and adjust the flame to as large as it will go with the
largest tip. If this flame is too small for your work, turn the
torch off and increase the pressure very little and repeat. Adjust
both the oxygen and the fuel pressures to get the largest flame that
you need from the torch. It may surprise you that the pressures are
very low.

I hope that this helps, let us know how this comes out for you so
that we can all benefit from the experience.

Franklin