The little torch is excellent for chains, small wire work and all
sorts of other things. You're just not going to make a 3 ounce
silver belt buckle with it - either you need two torches or you
can't do that sort of work at all.
I have the big bruiser if I want to solder the odd belt buckle or
palladium/platinum thingy-majig. But I’ve had a need for a torch
with a small, hot flame for a while and the Little Torch fits the
bill.
So - for one, single torch that will do a wide variety of work, I'd
go Mecco.
I can’t get that in the UK but there is an equivalent. However, when
I priced it up, once all the extra needed parts are purchased, it is
as pricey as the Little Torch (if not more expensive) - and the same
was true for buying the Meco from the States.
I’m attending a trade show in a few weeks so I’m hoping that the one
UK seller who carries the Little Torch, will have it on sale at a
reduced price.
I really cannot understand why anyone would choose the Little
torch over a Meco or a Hoke
Not having had the chance to use a Meco or a Hoke, I could not
compare them. I was taught on a Presto-lite air/acetylene, and used
one for years. As I moved to finer work (in terms of size), it just
did not do what I wanted/needed. I took a workshop at a studio that
had Little Torches, and fell in love with the ability to zip in,
solder a tiny space, and zip out. Plus the handle was SO much
lighter than the Presto-lite!
So now I have both. Between the two torches, I can do anything I
have had any need or desire to do.
You're just not going to make a 3 ounce silver belt buckle with it
I half way agree… 3 ounce pieces are just at the limit with
oxy/propane. With oxy/acetylene and a large tip (not a rose bud)
casting 5 ounces of silver is not a problem. If I want a large soft
cool flame I’ll fire up the prestolite but for almost all work the
little torch is my preference. From a little flame which is almost
too small to see for close pinpoint work to a much larger tip with
the torch pulled back an inch or so to get a softer area heating.
I’ve used more torches than I have fingers and the O/A little torch
is my favourite, black snow be damned
I think Helen would be quite happy with a oxy/propane little torch,
after all she does have a fire breathing monster for big jobs (or
melting the evidence
My Smith is so old (20-25 y/o) I had to physically look at it to see
if it was indeed what this thread is about, meaning I never have to
pay it any mind, I forgot what it is. I like the flexibility of the
hoses, a great relief after the Hoke. Sometimes you just have to
squirt that flame while standing on your head. The twin hoses would
occasionally tangle on the jangles hanging from my bench…I got
some slit corrugated tubing from Autozone(?) and it tangles no more.
Yeah the torch is limited in total heat, if you use the supplied
tips. I hogged one out to about size #312 for heavy silver
bangles. I called it The Yurman Tip.
Can I say one more time that this Little Torch is for very tiny work
ONLY? If you are doing micro-fine chain repairs or prong retipping,
it can be useful, but forget the acetylene model-too dirty. This
little torch has a very small body, and very small hoses. You just
cannot push very much gas through those small hoses.
Are you soldering silver? Forget the little torch. You just won’t
get silver hot enough with those teeny tips.
It’s kind of like owning a lathe: you can make small things on a big
lathe, but you can’t make big things on a small lathe… same with
torches. There is definitely an issue with coordinating the torches
with the hoses and the hoses to the regulator. Getting them all to
fit together can be a real problem, but no reason at all to go with
the Little Torch just because its hoses are included with the torch,
you know?
I am really tempted to re-design the propane/oxygen jewelry torch,
to give it fast change-out tips, ability to solder micro fine chain,
as well as large silver trophy buckles or tea pots, with easy to
adjust valves, and hoses to got with it. Maybe that’s my next new
tool.
I’ve made jewelry for a long time. I trained on a Hoke torch. Let me
qualify that a little. Some of the “Hokes” that I used were
imitation, in that they did not have the “Hoke” name cast into the
body of the torch. I used my Hokes for everything for about 28 years.
I used it for the little stuff and have melted a pound of silver at a
time. Everything. One day on a whim, I bought a welders torch with
cutting attachments. Probably a no name brand. Came in a nice plastic
case with a place for everything. I don’t need to cut steel. I bought
this kit on a whim. Well, I did set it up to continue my casting. It
melts metal a little faster than any of my Hokes, but I got along
without it for years and years. After listening to a friend for years
telling me about the Smith Little Torch for years, I finally broke
down one day and bought it. No particular reason. It was just a toy.
I got along with the Hokes and I might add that sometime, somewhere,
I picked up the Meco Midget.
These have all been good tools. Even the imitation or counterfeit
Hokes. Over the years, I spent more than I needed to, but when I
smear out the cost over this period of time cost loses something.
I think that James is right about the Hoke being the most useful.
The Meco Midget came in a close second. I like the geometry of the
fuel valves on the Hoke better. I have on my bench the Little Torch.
It is very light weight and very maneuverable torch. I still like the
geometry of the Hoke better but it also has replaced my Hoke. When my
tips have been too small, I have made alterations to the tip to get a
larger flame. Note that I have yet to buy the rosebud tip.
So I use the Little torch, but recommend the Hoke for beginners.
So I use the Little torch, but recommend the Hoke for beginners.
I’ve been making jewellery (and therefore soldering) for almost two
years now, and whilst in the whole scheme of things that’s not very
long, I don’t consider myself a complete beginner anymore. The Little
Torch will fit nicely into what I already have. And as I keep saying,
if I need more heat, I have the huge torch so the limitations of the
little torch are not a problem. Besides which, for eighteen months or
so, I’ve soldered everything using a handheld butane torch and I
managed to fabricate very large bezel/backplate settings (2"x3"
approx) and even solder settings onto a bangle bracelet with it, so
the Little Torch will be a joy by comparison and I’m looking forward
to buying one.
I am really tempted to re-design the propane/oxygen jewelry torch,
to give it fast change-out tips, ability to solder micro fine
chain, as well as large silver trophy buckles or tea pots, with
easy to adjust valves, and hoses to got with it. Maybe that's my
next new tool.
When you design a new torch, consider that several women have
mentioned that their preference for the Little Torch has to do with
its size and weight.
Women, especially aging baby boomers like me, have ergonomic
requirements related to some tools. While such users do not comprise
the majority, they are not an immaterial group. My choice of a Little
Torch is entirely based on difficulties in holding heavier torches
for extended periods. But, I gave up a BTU “punch” for this choice.
Can I say one more time that this Little Torch is for very tiny
work ONLY? If you are doing micro-fine chain repairs or prong
retipping, it can be useful,
Well there are many very experienced folk here on Orchid who swear
by the Little Torch for a much wider range of work than that.
Having soldered everything from very large (2"x3") settings to tiny
chain links with a handheld butane torch, I’m sure I’ll find the
Little Torch infinitely more useful.
Torch choice is proving to be a very subjective and emotive subject
and as such it depends very much on how you work and what your needs
and prior experiences are. In my case, it’ll suit very well.
I was taught on a Presto-lite air/acetylene, and used one for
years. [snip] I fell in love with the ability to zip in, solder a
tiny space, and zip out. Plus the handle was SO much lighter than
the Presto-lite! So now I have both. Between the two torches, I
can do anything I have had any need or desire to do.
I believe you, but there is still plenty that would be tough with
either a PrestoLite or a Little. Fusing (textural sheet, not links)
is much easier with a feul/oxy, almost impossible with either of
those. Large work like vessels (like the teapots I sometimes make)
is impossible without at least one big, powerful torch, preferably
two.
I’m not disparaging either torch-- as others have said, they are both
good, for what they’re good for, which is a lot. And you can do good
work your whole life with either one. My only point is that if you
have a choice, and you’re going to buy a torch that isn’t the one
you’re used to, then a more versatile torch like the Meco is a much
better choice. From tiny pinpoint flames to a big fluffy one (with
just the pipe, no tip), there is nothing you need to do in a general
studio that the Meco isn’t good for.
Are you soldering silver? Forget the little torch. You just won't
get silver hot enough with those teeny tips
The little torch is limited in what it can be used for, however I can
do much more than fine chain repair and retipping. I can do
fabrication of sterling rings, earrings, and pendants, reshank
sterling and gold rings. I do a lot of repair and I have no problems
using the little torch. I use the #4 tip for fine work and #6 and 7
for heavier pieces. I can do most annealing for fabricating sterling
ring shanks with the little torch.
From what some are writing I wonder if I your regulators are set
right for what you are trying to do.
I have no trouble getting the large bushy flame I need for soldering
sterling. I would not consider using the little torch for casting. I
have a prestolite that I use for some larger projects, and I have I
have a really large oxy-acetylene torch for casting and sizing heavy
sterling rings with stones, but 99% of my work is done with the
little torch.
Perhaps it is a skill to learn how to use the little torch for what
it is capable of above and beyond retipping and fine chain solders. I
notice others are happy with the little torch, so it seems that it
isn’t much of a problem for some of us.
The one I currently use is over 10 years old with one repair, one
set of replacement needle valves.
I am really tempted to re-design the propane/oxygen jewelry torch,
to give it fast change-out tips, ability to solder micro fine
chain, as well as large silver trophy buckles or tea pots, with
easy to adjust valves, and hoses to got with it.
Well, Jay, you just described the Swiss Torch - From the tiniest
flame the Little Torch can make up to casting size, all from a
single handle… The best torch I’ve ever had…
Are you soldering silver? Forget the little torch. You just won't
get silver hot enough with those teeny tips.
Well, gosh golly gee… as ALL I do is solder silver, and my
primary torch to do this is the Little Smith… I have to wonder
what alternate universe I’m in??? I usually rely on your comments
Jay, as you are so VERY much more experienced than I am - but in this
case I have to respectfully disagree. I LOVE my Little Smith for my
silver work - for rings, jump rings, pendants, brooches, necklaces.
The only time I have had trouble is doing large (3"+) solid
pieces… and even then putting it on a charcoal block generally
does the trick. Note - I use the middle of the tips that come with it
most of the time.
So humor aside, I really do wonder why this major divergence in
opinion? I understand folks having different preferences - I don’t
understand a flat comment that you can’t do something that I do
almost daily. This genuinely confuses me. Also, the studio where I
first used a Little Smith does primarily silver, and they have two of
the Little Smiths… the workshop we did used them with no trouble
at all, and we were all creating in silver. So I am truly confused.
Enlightenment please? (Not that I will give up my Little Smith -
couldn’t pry it out of my hands!)
Beth Wicker who is currently at Mayo Clinic, Florida with her
husband and hoping for good news and getting home to the studio soon!
Mine is even older! It was made by Tescom Corporation before they
were bought by Smith. I “inherited” it from my mentor, Randy Lowery.
It still works as well as the newer one I bought my wife.
I like the flexibility of the hoses, a great relief after the Hoke.
I use aquarium air tubing. It is even more flexible. I use the
original, somewhat ragged, glass cloth covering to protect the even
more vulnerable aquarium tubing from hot metal, etc. One torch has
lines covered with grey glass cloth bought from a heating and air
conditioning supply house.
I have a Hoke I don’t use very much. I have hospital-type rubber hose
on it. Also very flexible.
Yeah the torch is limited in total heat, if you use the supplied
tips. I hogged one out to about size #312 :-P for heavy silver
bangles. I called it The Yurman Tip.
My over sized tip is the “Lowery tip”, after the guy who convinced
me it would work! I also use the rosebud a bit. I use mine for
everything from chains to belt buckles and slightly beyond. This is
possible because of the “customized” tip and the rosebud. I use only
oxy/propane, in part because of the local fire inspector not wanting
acetylene in a residence.
Like many who have responded, this is the torch on which I learned. A
friend of mine uses nothing but the Hoke, because she learned on it.
Glad to know there are other oldies out there! (torches… I’m
talking about the torches! ;-)> )
James Miller, like myself, used a Sievert torch (propane only–no
compressed air or oxygen) for many, many years; he changed to a
Little Torch only around 2004. I’m still with the Sievert, which is
no longer available (the current models are INFINITELY bulkier than
the ancient model!). This is an excerpt of a 2006 letter from him:
"Re the Oxy propane little torch, When I fit the number 7 tip
and adjust the oxy pressure down, I can get a soft bushy flame
that covers an area of about 4 inches square. I do use a
pressure regulator on the propane bottle also, just to lessen
the gas pressure, straight from the bottle, down to that of
natural gas. I have also used the oxy torch with natural gas,
and it works well also. Just remember to use blowback valves on
each feed line, the little torch does have non return valves,
but I like to be doubly sure."
and also:
"If you have not tried one I would strongly suggest that you
check out the Oxy/Gas torches, they are very efficient and they
also have many sized nozzles available, I can achieve quite a
range of flames with my torch, from quite large and soft, down to
a needle sharp fierce flame. If you have seen my work on the
orchid gallery,
http://www.ganoksin.com/exhibition/v/orchid/JamesMiller/
all soldering and heat treating of these pieces would have been
done with my Oxy/Propane torch set up."
I’m beginning to wonder if we’re all talking about the same piece of
equipment! No wonder Helen’s getting confused.
Jay Whaley writes ‘Are you soldering silver? Forget the little
torch. You just won’t get silver hot enough with those teeny tips.’
Someone else (sorry, lost your name!) wrote ‘You’re just not going
to make a 3 ounce silver belt buckle with it’ - implication being
that the torch is fine for smaller work.
In the end, Helen, unless you can find someone with a Hoke and
someone with a Meco who live not too far away from you and will let
you try out their torches - you’ll make the best decision you can
based on availability and price. And then you’ll live with it
happily!
One thing I did not mention in my original post in response to
Helen’s enquiry is that I use LPGas - the same used for our BBQ and
oxygen. I don’t know if this differs from propane! All I know is that
it works just fine for me, and those teeny little tips make it a hell
of a lot easier for me to see what I’m doing!
In 1990 I started the process of learning to make Silver jewelry. I
was armed with 2 books and a Smith’s Little Torch I set out to
create. I suppose it’s a good thing that I didn’t know that I
couldn’t use a Little Torch with silver. I would have missed out on
the past 18+ years of joy. I don’t have enough experience to say
that someone can’t use a Little Torch with Silver. I only know that
it has worked for me. Eventually I will get an air/acetylene torch
for large boxes or married metals. I did replace the hoses about 5
years ago but haven’t had to do any repairs
Well there are many very experienced folk here on Orchid who swear
by the Little Torch for a much wider range of work than that.
Having soldered everything from very large (2"x3") settings to
tiny chain links with a handheld butane torch, I'm sure I'll find
the Little Torch infinitely more useful.
I understand and sympathize with those who use the Little Torch based
on its size and weight as these features of the torch are un-matched.
I also know you have backup with your larger but more unwieldily oxy
propane torch. But I think very few folks have tried to look at torch
performance and brazing results as the selection criteria in a
critical fashion. Since I am unable to “leave well enough alone” I am
constantly trying new and different ways to do things. So in this
case I have the Little Torch, Meco Midget, Hoke, and National torches
and have tried them side by side to evaluate their relative
abilities. Soldering medium to large work with the little torch is
like trying to drive framing nails with a tack hammer, certainly you
can do it but it is not the best choice of tool for the job. So you
certainly can solder medium to largish with the little torch but the
way you do this is by applying a pinpoint very hot flame to the work
and try to let conduction do the work of spreading the heat rather
than a larger cooler flame that heats more evenly and provides a
reducing shield of combusted gas around the joint. This hot small
flame inevitably leads to overheating the solder oxidized joints and
the associated problems of pitting and scull formation (those nasty
little bits of solder that just don’t flow and leave rough areas that
must be cleaned up later).
Obviously many of us have strong opinions on our torches. And as
Helen observed there are many fine, talented smiths that love their
Little Torch. The Little Torch is a good tool, I don’t think any of
us who don’t love it feel it is truly a bad choice we just like ours
better :-). Orchid once again reminds me it is not the tool but the
smith that is the important part.
for heavy silver