All, A note of caution. The auto ignition devices are great for
larger torches but you must use care when lighting the Smith (or
other brands) Little Torch. The torch tip is so short that you must
build up a cloud of gas around the igniter before it will light.
Result…you can get a fairly large flame and, if there is any draft
around, the cloud may extend away from the igniter. We use the
electronic igniters at the school shop where we use Smith acetylene
single gas torches. In my own shop, I normally use the Little Torch
and find it more convenient to light it with the venerable BIC!
Anyone have a better alternative?
Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
elegance IS fine jewelry! @coralnut2
I’ve used a Smith Little oxy/acteylene torch for over 15 years now
and I Iight it with a little tea light candle. I use even the
smallest tips (#1 and #2 for really tiny stuff) on the torch and have
never had a problem getting them lit, I can’t imagine how else to
light these. The candle on my bench is also a signal to others that
my tanks are on. If the candle is out my tanks are off. When I was an
apprentice, the jeweler tried to teach me to use a lighter to light
the torch (he had hokes). It felt awkward to me and didn’t stick,
when I got my own tools I opted for the candle method I picked up in
college.
Barb Baur
Why don’t people like using a striker ?
I keep a lighter in a drawer in the bench, just in case I need to light something besides gas, but I prefer using the striker for propane.
I see the lighter is a potential hazard on the bench top, due to its flammable contents, so I keep it tucked far away from where I do torch work.
I use a bench top piezo lighter that’s designed for lighting torches. It’s a one handed operation lighting the torch. Just turn on the gas and touch the torch to the lighter and it generates sparks to ignite the torch.
https://www.riogrande.com/product/torchmate-electronic-torch-lighter/503026
Rick Copeland
On my first job the jeweler I worked under used to leave a benson burning lit between us on the bench, for lighting our natural gas torches.
After setting my own hair on fire twice, I opted for a striker.
I had a LOT more hair 40 years ago, and a constant, open flame near me seemed terribly risky.
I use a propane grill lighter because I can’t get my meco to light from a striker. Otherwise, I would use a striker like I did for 35 years to light my Presto-Lite. I have always planned on trying a candle or pezio-electric lighter, but can’t seem to get around to it…Rob
I stopped using a lighter when I got tired of the smokers at work “borrowing” it.