Solder and fuse silver and gold. Best Torch

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi all,
I would like an advice about which torch will be better, between the acetylene+oxygen, versus propane+oxygen. My goal is to be able to solder and fuse very detailed work, mostly silver but also gold.
I am thinking about buying the smith little torch for acetylene/oxygene or the Swiss torch for propane/oxygen.
I thank you a lot for any advice.
Fatima

2

They both work on either propane or acetylene and O2 in combination. I like propane and O2 and run both a meco and Little Torch in combination off the same 1 lb propane tank and a medical O2 generator. Acetylene is hot, dirty, dangerous and expensive. I am glad not to have it in my shop. I work lots of silver and some gold from tiny 26 gauge wire to 50 gram melts with my set up. Lots in the archives about this topic.

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Hi Famiduma,
Welcome to Ganoksin. I work with Argentium Sterling Silver almost totally, and my studio is in my home. I have a Smith Little Torch with Propane +Oxygen. It’s clean and my home insurance provider cleared me to use it. For small detailed work the standard variety of Smith Little torch tips are perfect. For heavier material or fusing you can buy a Multi-Orifice tip [often called a Rosebud tip], that works wonderfully if you need more muscle [i.e., bigger hotter flame] and there is also a company called Paige who make a range of tips that are ALL multi-orifice tips for several torch models if you need a greater range of small but very very hot flames. I hope this helps. good luck.

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Hi, I thank you a lot for your reply and information. I have seen someone fusing/melting very little tiny pieces of gold with the acetylene/oxygene torch. Using a very little and very hot flame.

It was quick and looked easy… I wonder if I can do the same with the propane/oxygene too.

Thanks

5

Hi, I thank you a lot for your reply and information. I have seen someone fusing/melting very little tiny pieces of gold with the acetylene/oxygene torch. Using a very little and very hot flame.
It was quick and looked easy… I wonder if I can do the same with the propane/oxygene too.

Thanks

6

Propane and O2 should work fine…Rob

7

Hi Carol,
Thank you for your reply and informations. I have visited Paige site that I didn’t knew before. They have all kind of tips for little torch it seems. Thank you

8

Hi Rob, thank you so much. It is really important to me to know that.
Thanks