I’m looking for an inexpensive roll mill as well as a pencil
torch. Does anyone know where I can find these? thanks. Kelly
Darke
Kelly:
For a cheap butane pencil torch, try:
American Science & Surplus
3605 W. Howard St.
Skokie, IL 60076
Phone: (847) 982-0874
Fax: (800) 934-0722
I’m not sure of the price, but I think it’s less than $20. (I
just tried to check on their web page, but it’s so slow I gave up
– call for a print catalog instead.)
They also carry a bunch of other stuff that may be of interest
to the low-budget jewelry designer: (I’ve never ordered from
them, and cannot say whether they sell quality merchandise, but
they are CHEAP!!!)
interesting stuff, cheap:
Vaccuum Pump (for all you do-it-yourself casters)
Diamond Mounted Points
Helping Hand w/ Magnifying Glass
Diamond Dicing Wheel
Riffler File Set
Diamond Burs
Micro Bits (VERY fine sizes – for hand-piece/Dremel)
Vaccuum with Mini-Attachments
Butane Pencil Torch
Cassette Torch – less than $20 I think, and they say it generates 1400C
Plastic Syringe – flux and/or solder
Assorted Dental Tools – for wax carving
Mini Vice
Micro Chuck
Jewelers’ Screwdrivers
Mini-Anvil
Sculpting Tools – two different sets of wooden-handled wax-carving tools
Kelly-- Can you give an opinion on how these pencil torches work
soldering? I’m planning some traveling in my RV and want to take
some jewelry equipment with me and work near some lake or
mountain with out a phone or fax or computer! This would be a new
experience and I haven’t figured how I could take my torch with
me. Dolores
I’m new to metalworking and have been using a torch that was
recommended by a man named Dan Clark who was demonstrating
silversmithing at a rock show. Sears sells a Mapp gas torch that
has two tips for about 26 dollars in the Hardware section of the
store. The regulator screws directly onto the mapp gas canister
and the tips screw directly into the regulator so you have to
handle the canister while soldering. This sounds worse than it
is and after a little use you don’t even think about it. You
will probably need only the smaller pencil tip for most things.
The flame looks a little different than most other torches i’ve
used in classes but easily adjusts sizewise. The air mix is
automatic - just sucked in holes at the base of the tip and I
haven’t tried varying that.
Overall the torch is quite servicable and portable. I haven’t
had to buy a replacement gas cylinder yet, but it will cost only
about 7 dollars when I do. (Maybe I had better get that spare
around BEFORE I need it)
Before Dan told me about this torch I had been looking for a
good deal on a Prestolite or similar setup. I’ve stopped
looking, but will probably buy one when I see a deal I can’t
refuse.
Dolores, I’ve never used a pencil torch. I have read that it
melts silver, copper, solder, alluminum…but I don’t know how
well. someone from Orchid (Tom Larussa) sent me this co. name:
American Science & Surplus
3605 W. Howard St.
Skokie, IL 60076
Phone: (847) 982-0874
Fax: (800) 934-0722
they seem to have a lot of stuff for very cheap. pencil torch
$8.00. I plan to order one soon and try it. I’m sure it would
only work on small things. We’ll see. Kelly
Kelly-- Can you give an opinion on how these pencil torches work
soldering? I'm planning some traveling in my RV and want to take
some jewelry equipment with me and work near some lake or
mountain with out a phone or fax or computer! This would be a new
experience and I haven't figured how I could take my torch with
me.
here is my two cent s worth on torches…blazer mini torches are
very very cool on small stuff. it’s run on butane that you buy
in cans. they are a little spendy but if you’re traveling the
luxury is worth it.
or if you need something bigger get a smith mini torch comes
with 5 tips and you can use different gasses depending on your
gass preference (you’ll need the appropriate cylinder) you can
buy mini cylinders as well and a carrying caddy. you can find
them both in rio i think.
One of my instructors was pretty strong on the notion that the
small butane torches are really dangerous and can explode rather
eaily. He scared me enough to stop using them. The little-torch
is wonderful for small objects because it has some really tiny
tips. It’s certainly alot more expensive however, but very
versatile. Sandra/ElegantBee
Several years ago, I tried a small Butane torch from Radio
Shack, the kind that uses small cylinders. (about 1.5" long by <
1" in diameter) While I was using it, it exploded. Luckily, I
was working on a concrete floor and I simply dropped it, where it
burned for a few seconds and went out. No injury… it was in
the trash withing a few seconds. I have a Blazer, which I’ve
used successfully for at least 5 years, without incident. I
especially use it at my bench, as opposd to turning on my tanks,
when I need something simple, like melting a ball on the end of a
wire.