I am currently using acetylene and am happy with it, I would however
like to be able to get a small precise pinpoint flame for small
detailed work. I dont want to invest in a set up such as a smith
little torch. Can anyone give me any on a small torch
that I could use for this type of work. Would a butane have a fine
enough flame? if so which one?
Thanks, gail
Regards, gail
Hi, Gail,
like to be able to get a small precise pinpoint flame for small detailed work.
Yes, a small butane torch might work, but… on a larger silver
piece (> 1" diameter) the flame could well be too small to heat the
whole piece, and the heat would be drawn away from the work area.
Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist had a very good article on butane
torches somewhere in the last 3 issues.
Lorraine (definitely not an expert on this topic)
Go with the mecco midget. I use a hypodermic needle to get a super
small flame. Using a large tip you can singe eyebrows at three feet.
We still use rose buds for silver over 7 inches square but this is
not to say it is lacking in heat. A mid size tip is still hot enough
to fuse platinum. My point is this torch handle is versatile with a
few creative tip adjustments. You mentioned you wanted to save money.
I have five torches in the locker. I have spent a lot of money to
figure this advice out. Save up and save yourself some trouble. Go
with a torch handle that can do the widest breadth of work.
Best of luck,
Jamie McLandsborough
You don’t have to buy the whole “set up” with a Smith torch. I use
one with both oxy/ace and oxy/propane. Definately a smaller, tighter
flame with the acetylene. You could also get a water torch. I can
make a 2mm, 4000 F flame with mine.
Lorraine
Might suggest you try the miniflam PB-ZT 11. An excellent small torch
mixing O2 and a combo of butane and propane. Comes with six different
size flame needles.
Dovetail
.... You could also get a water torch. I can make a 2mm, 4000 F flame with mine.
Me too.
I used it to repair a very fine gold chain - each link was just
0.8mm long, made of 0.15mm wire, and I was able to solder one link
without affecting it’s neighbours.
Regards, Gary Wooding