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.
Not that it matters particularly, but I quote Mr Miller below, from
an email sent to me a few days ago:
"I have been using a Smith Little Torch for almost everything
over the past twenty years. I bought mine at a Model Engineers
Show for about UKP 60 in 1987."
If James has been happy and able to use one for “almost everything”
for the past twenty years, then it’s more than good enough
recommendation for me - along with the many others who also use it
daily for soldering silver and other metals and have sung its
praises.
I have no trouble getting the large bushy flame I need for
soldering sterling. but 99% of my work is done with the little torch.
Thank you Richard. I think a lot of people’s experiences has to do
with the way they work. I can solder large pieces with a butane
handheld so an oxy/propane Little Torch is going to be a dream to
work with, and I will finally have the pin-point flame and larger,
bushy flame that I’ve been looking for - and hopefully I’ll be less
likely to melt things like I was doing with my huge oxy/propane
torch.
Fusing (textural sheet, not links) is much easier with a feul/oxy,
almost impossible with either of those.
The Smith Little Torch IS a fuel/oxy torch. If I every decide to
make teapots (unlikely) then I have the BIG oxy/propane torch.
Meco is a much better choice.
It’s not available in the UK and by the time you add on all the
extras you need to buy with the Meco (which is sold as just the
handpiece), then add in all the import charges, it makes it
prohibitively expensive.
I have a gap in my arsenal of flame-throwers and it’s crying out for
the Little Torch. I think I must bow out of the Little Torch debate
now (if I can resist replying) as I’ve decided it’s the torch for me
and I can get it from one UK supplier and have spoken to them about
it with a view to picking one up in three weeks. Looking forward to
it.
Helen, I agree about it being subjective. I have asked a group of
jewelers before and received the numerous differeing opinions and
hence have stuck with my Smith Little Torch. I use one with
disposable tanks and I use it for everything I’ve worked on and it
has served me very well. I make a variety of pieces - mostly in
sterling, with some gold and keum-bo here and there. (you can see my
work by browsing my blog: http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com) There
was a recent setting for a bangle that gave me some trouble - getting
the bezel soldered to the backplate - I ended up making 2 bezels from
bezel wire (too thin) which melted and then a third from sheet which
I cut myself. That one took, but it was challenging. The stone was a
good size - maybe 2" by 1.25", and the backplate during fabrication
was quite large to provide working room. The piece is on my blog.
Anyway…
I have, on occassion, wished for something ‘bigger’ or something
‘more’…for much larger pieces or for melting/casting. I will
admit though that I don’t often change my tips and have no
recollection off the top of my head what tip is on there. I shall
check when I return home this evening. I am probably going to
purchase another torch in the near future, for backup, large pieces
or casting…but for everyday fabricating, the type of jewelry I
make, I will probably stick with my Smith Little.
The bottom line, I think, is that there is no ‘right’ answer. I hope
you find the right torch for you! Good luck!
Hi, This is my third post in three years. Not good in grammar
particularly. I have been using Smith Little Torch since 1972 in
Midland, Texas. Bought one in 1974 for my studio and one in 1976
when I open my first store. Still using it today hopefully 20 more
years Gods will. Just little maintenance replacing the hose every 15
years become hard and not flexible. One big problem, trying to order
two pairs of O-rings for my torch because it dried for years of used.
Order from my supply-er Stuller Setting can’t get it I don’t know
why they give me the parts no. called Smith for the O-ring no luck.
That was 3 years ago. Maybe the Orchids will convince Stuller and
Smith to sell me 2 pairs of O-Rings for my Smith Little Torch. Tescom
Corporation Body No. 11-1102. Moved to Baytown in 1984 and my store
now in Houston, Texas. I hope to have courage to write another soon.
P.S. Using Little Torch Propane/Oxygen for making and repairing
Platinum, White-Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver Granulation and making
head pin Platinum and Gold.
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....
John–which Swiss torch do you mean" When you say single handle, do
you also mean single head" Or do you have to change heads to go from
large to small flame"
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.
Go to this url to see the torch I learned on:
I work in a lab in Rome, Italy with two colleagues. We have a Smith
torch and a propane-oxygen torch for casting. Two jewelers have the
water-hydrogen electrolitic torch at their bench and we all three
have the Scialemon (photo).
I have never seen an acetylene torch in a lab in Italy.
Thanks again for your honest opinion of the Little Torch. I respect
what you say and agree that a torch’s ability to solder/braze has
not really been discussed - but I’ve decided it’s the one for me as I
feel it’s the one that best suits the gap in my equipment and my
needs on a 75-80% of the time basis.
Many thanks again though. This thread has helped me a) to decide
that I am making the right choice, and b) to know its limitations so
that I will be aware of what it is capable of before I buy it, which
may make the learning curve a little easier to traverse.
I'm beginning to wonder if we're all talking about the same piece
of equipment! No wonder Helen's getting confused.
Yes it does seem odd that there are many singing the praises of the
Little Torch and very happy with it for soldering silver, etc - and
there are others who pretty much say it’s not up to the job of
soldering silver. I believe it’s all in the way we work - as James
Binnion said “it is not the tool but the smith that is the important
part”. From what others have said, I know it’s the one that fits the
gap in my equipment and working style.
Nice to “speak” to you again - we’ve spoken on JAN a few times. I’m
glad to have found another happy user of the Little Torch. It’s the
one for me, I’m sure, and I won’t be wishing for something “bigger”
because I already have that - it was too big and heavy - hence the
need for the Little Torch.
Many thanks again though. This thread has helped me a) to decide
that I am making the right choice, and b) to know its limitations
so that I will be aware of what it is capable of before I buy it,
which may make the learning curve a little easier to traverse.
That is one of the great things about Orchid. Many people share
their experiences and you can take from it what you need to help your
work.
One big problem, trying to order two pairs of O-rings for my torch
because it dried for years of used. Order from my supply-er Stuller
Setting can't get it I don't know why they give me the parts no.
called Smith for the O-ring no luck.
Check with your local hardware store. Many of them have a large
assortment of O rings. If they don’t have them n automotive parts
store or a store that sells welding gases etc may have them.
which Swiss torch do you mean" When you say single handle, do you
also mean single head"
Janet in Jerusalem, I mean this:
On the small head there are three tips - you spin a nut and put the
“Hoke style head” on and there are three more tips - the extras park
in the head itself, which is slick. Changing heads happens in a
heartbeat - you can go from smallest to largest in about 20 seconds.
There are also a couple of monster tips… The handle is
lightweight and comfortable, though not a featherweight like the
little torch… Again, it’s not cheap, but I’m too old for cheap
torches…
As for the rest, Helen seems to be right on target, as usual. It was
probably unfortunate that Jay said you can’t solder silver with the
mini, because of course you can. One who said that he was doing 3
ounces of silver with it was probably mistaken about the weight - or
he is hammering 16 penny nails with a tack hammer, as Jim put it. I
made a silver box once with a 600 carat piece of turqoise in it -
about 8 inches long. Made a concha belt with 1 1/2 pounds of silver
(more than 1/2 a kilo)… there is soldering and then there is
SOLDERING - the right tool for the job, always, budget permitting…
As for the rest, Helen seems to be right on target, as usual.
Very kind John. I’ll have to let peeps know how it goes once I’ve
got my Little Torch. Hopefully, after whinging on about getting a
proper torch for over a year, I’ll keep quiet?! We can hope.
any auto or hardware or home depot type store sells them for about 19
cents per piece, <> i handwrite lettres to compnies and have great
success and reltionships built when things go wrong or a vendor
refuses to sell [you] a replacement part…try it…they would have
no business if it weren’t for consumers, and loyal ones should matter
to the sales and marketing, and customer relations management of any
company…rer
