I found the original comment (about ‘dialing back’ the regulator) -
Elsewhere in that thread, he says it acted like a “flamethrower” with the regulator set higher - that’s what I’m experiencing with my Smith preset regulator.
Rob, I’ll try opening it up at the regulator and fine tuning with the torch knob.
Julie, I’m talking about adjusting the flow on the regulator. My regulator doesn’t behave much like an on/off switch. Starting from fully open, it gives me way too much gas (“flamethrower” mode); if I twist toward “off” a couple of twists (not revolutions of the knob, just finger twists), I can get it to drop the pressure to generate a workable flame. I do use the red and green knobs on the Smith Little, but primarily to light the torch or turn it off. If I need a larger flame, of course I open those up and adjust them, but for this project, I need almost the tiniest flame I can get. I tried all the tips that came with my torch (#3-#7); I got nothing with #3 (which I’ve read is expected for propane); and I can’t remember now why I didn’t like #4 or #5, but #6 turned out to be the best for what I was doing.
Smith Little vs Swiss torch: The observed difference: the Smith tips produce a triangular/conical flame, with a wide cone at the base. With the Swiss + micro tips, the inner cone is more cylindrical, around the diameter of the tip. The smallest tip produces a flame with an inner cone that seems as if it can’t be more than 1/64" in diameter. It’s my impression that the narrow inner cone is a key to the improved control I get with the Swiss (I just started using it today, so this is just a first impression).
Thanks everyone for your feedback.