Selecting appropriate torch tips

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello!

I just read an article about various types of torches on your
website and you had a bit about the Little Torch and Miniflame
Microtorch. My question is: how does one decide which tip to use (the
article mentioned that it was dangerous to use the incorrect tip).

Thank you and kind regards,

S.P.

2

The tumblers sold to re-loaders to polish brass cartridges are not
repeat not designed for wet tumbling. The weight of dry media with
brass cartridges is very insubstantial when compared to even plastic
tumbling media when wet so the motors and suspensions are not
designed to carry that weight. Also the bowls are made from different
materials the ones I have seen for cartridge cleaning are not
suitable to resist the abrasive action of the grinding media. If all
you want is something to run walnut shell or corn cob media then the
cartridge cleaning tumblers are a good deal but they will not last
long in wet tumbling service and may even cause a fire or shock
because they are not set up for wet work.

Jim

James Binnion
@James_Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts

360-756-6550

3

S.P.

I just read an article about various types of torches on your
website and you had a bit about the Little Torch and Miniflame
Microtorch. My question is: how does one decide which tip to use
(the article mentioned that it was dangerous to use the incorrect
tip).

I have and use a Smith Little Torch with oxygen and acetylene, I
select the tip based on the size of the material I am working with or
on how quickly something needs to be accomplished. The only thing I
have found is the #1 tip is very hard to light, I use the #3 most of
the time, and something needs to be really big to use #7, or I need
to heat something very quickly to a very high temperature before the
heat spreads to other pieces of the work.

I have had no “dangerous” experiences other than burning my fingers
a couple of times. The torch set came with instructions on what tips
were suitable with what gases, I have always stayed within those
guidelines and have had no problems. I do have flashback arrestors on
both of my bottles, I don’t know if they are required for these
little hoses but as I have a regular set of welding hoses attached I
need them because of those hoses.

Terry

4

I have a Smith Little Torch with propane/oxygen setup. I have a #3
tip that I can’t seem to keep lighted. When I first light it unless
it’s VERY LOW the flame dances away until it’s gone. Once getting it
to stay at approximately 1/2" long or less I add a little O2. Barring
not putting it out again (which happens more then not) I try to
solder and most movement puts it out. What am I doing wrong? My O2
pressure is set about 5-7# and my propane is a small canister that I
don’t set pressure. Any ideas?

Lisa Fowler

LL Fowler Designs
Fort Collins, CO 80526
USA

5

Hi Lisa;

I have a Smith Little Torch with propane/oxygen setup. I have a #3
tip that I can't seem to keep lighted.

The #3 tip is too small for most work. I only use that when I’ve got
really delicate work, and then it’s no easier for me to keep it lit
than it is for you or anybody else. I do most of my work with a #5
tip, and use a #4 for chains and some re-tipping. I use a #7 for
sizing silver and platinum rings.

David L. Huffman

6

You have to put a regulator on the propane bottle.

Lloyd

7

I heard that the #3 doesn’t work well with propane. Anyhow, it
doesn’t work well for me! I use the #4 tip for my smallest work. It
is good.

I am using bulk propane and a regulator.

M’lou

8

Dear Liza F,

Try the Smith little torch #7 tip. I have the same set up as you and I
have moved to the larger tip to keep it from blowing out. I find the
#7 tip very versatile and you can solder small or up to a 3" x 3" 16
gauge construction of silver with that tip.

Nanz Aalund
Associate Editor / Art Jewelry magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle / Waukesha WI 53187-1612
262.796.8776 ext.228

9 
The #3 tip is too small for most work. I only use that when I've
got really delicate work, and then it's no easier for me to keep it
lit than it is for you or anybody else. I do most of my work with a
#5 tip, and use a #4 for chains and some re-tipping. I use a #7 for
sizing silver and platinum rings.

I use a Little Torch, oxy-acetelene, and have no problems keeping
the #3 tip lit. I do occasionally put it in the ultrasonic to clean it
and this seems to help. It is probably the tip size that I use most.
Joel

Joel Schwalb
@Joel_Schwalb

10

I also use propane and oxygen. Using the #3 tip is difficult for me
as the propane tends to clog that tiny tip. My propane is regulated
however and I have been able, after much fussing, to get the #3 to
work. Getting it to work is more of challenge than it’s worth so I
just stick with the #4 or larger.

Jerry

11

Lisa,

I have not tried using the #3 tip with propane. The Smith
instruction manual is kind of “iffy” about it. In one place they
state categorically that the #1 and #2 tips “are NOT used for gas
other than acetylene or hydrogen.” That would lead one to believe
that the #3 tip is okay for propane. However, on the chart they state
that the #3 tip is recommended for use with acetyline & hydrogen.
Propane is first mentioned for the #4 tip. How’s that for confusion?
It would make me tend to think that the #3 tip is marginal at best
when used with propane.

As for gas pressures, I use the “rule of thumb” that both gases
should be approximately equal to the tip designation. For a #3 tip I
use 3 psi acetylene and 3 psi oxygen. The pressures are not gas
specific. You would use the same for propane, hydrogen, propylene,
Mapp, and natural gas. It may be that the force of the oxygen at 5-7
psi is actually blowing the flame out. You might also check to see if
there is any obstruction in the tip. Let us know what you find when
you reduce the oxygen to 3 psi.

Del Pearson at Designs of Eagle Creek in Beautiful South Texas.
http://www.eaglecreekcs.com/

12

Hi Joel;

I use a Little Torch, oxy-acetelene, and have no problems keeping
the #3 tip lit.

I should have mentioned, I’m using propane. I understand the #3
works OK with acetylene. There are some smaller tips, #1 & #2, which
I’ve heard can only be used with acetylene.

David L. Huffman

13

David,

I do use the #2 tip occasionally and the #1 tip rarely.

Joel

14

Hi Joel;

I do use the #2 tip occasionally and the #1 tip rarely.

Then you’re using acetylene, I take it?

David L. Huffman

15

I do use the #2 tip occasionally and the #1 tip rarely

Then you’re using acetylene, I take it?

Yes, acetylene.

Joel Schwalb
@Joel_Schwalb

16

I found out something that might be of interest. The cheap torches
and tips they sell for use with the little Propane tanks at the
hardware store, The tips fit my Meco! They are bigger than a meco 3
tip propane tip. One I use to melt, and man does it work great. The
other one I had, I opened the tip up just a little with a drill bit,
and silver soldered the stainless tip off a glue syringe into it as
it. the flame is hard to get correct, but its a little smaller than
the #3 on my smith.

daniel