I think I'm going to open a can of worms, but would anybody care to recommend a torch?
Richard,
I have used, and always will use the Hoke torch. Several size
tips are available and you can solder a little tube on the end of
a tip to create a super fine flame. Its big enough to cast with,
but I prefer a larger torch for that activity. Its much more
versatile than the little torch. Its available from most
suppliers, Gesswein is one.
Mark P.
I use the "Little Torch" with propane (from a gas grill tank) and oxy. for my general repair, but switch to acetylene when I need more heat
hi michael,
if you boost your oxy regulator to 30 to 45lbs there will be no
need for the acetylene. one can generate enough heat to cast
platinum with this arrangement.
if over oxidising is a concern ( it is for me ), use a larger
tip or torch to acheive a neutral but very hot flame.
best regards,
geo fox
Finally have a moment to respond. I just ordered a natural gas
torch (Midget torch) from Gesswein. I’m pretty sure I could use
my Little torch with my natural gas connection without a problem,
I didn’t want to give up the acetylene torch, or have to take a
couple minutes to switch over. So I just bought an O2 splitter
and will share that tank between the Natural gas Midget torch
and the acetylene Little Torch
I decided to add natural gas for two reasons: cheap, clean and
always available fuel supply; I find the acetylene/O2 to be a bit
too intense for some of the small things I do. Could be I need
to go to a smaller tip, but that’s sometimes an afterthought.
Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.sebaste.com
Has anybody ever used a propane and compressed air torch? I am
interested in hearing about it, if so. It seems to me it would
burn slightly cooler than oxygen, but still burn hotter/cleaner
than a smith/air torch. anne
Sorry Michael but I dont agree. Most of my work is in holloware
which is generally much larger than a belt buckle. I’ve
succesfully used natural gas/compressed air torches in the
production of coffee pots and pitchers. It is my choice of
torches and gases even tho at the moment I’m forced to use
PrestoLite. This after 35-40 years. SolK.
I’ve used a little torch with oxy-propane more than anything
else, and it’s what I like most of all. I just picked up a
little torch set up with oxy- acetelyne so I know I’m due to at
least give it a shot before I switch the acetelyne for propane.
I’ve talked to a couple of people that swear by the acetelyne set
up because of being able to use the smaller tips with it, so it’s
worth a shot. I’ve always used acetelyne for casting. I tried
propane one time, and it worked okay on gold, but was a little
cool for silver. I’m using a water torch every now and then (
Hydroflux ), and it drives me crazy (not a far drive), because of
the pressure it pushes. I have to hold my solder chips down with
a pic to keep from blowing them all over the place, the same with
fine chain. I don’t like the limited temperature control with
them either, too hot for me, even with the smallest tip. I look
at them as a necessary evil in a mall. Then again, you like what
you’re used to. I figured I’d share what I’m used to, just to
add a little to the topic.
Happy Heating
Rick Barnes
Gainesville, Fl.
I've used a little torch with oxy-propane more than anything else, and it's what I like most of all.
Rick, what type of metal are you usually soldering???
In all of this discussion of tourches one has been lift out! It
is the Blowpipe Propane tourch that Frei and Borel sell on page
13 of the C1 96 catalog. I was turned on to this torch by Harold
O’connor. He uses this torch for granulation. I bought one from
him at a class he was giving and I use it for 99% of soldering.
It is cleen, hot, and keeps most of the oxidation down to a
minimum. I will not go back to anyother torch for basic
soldering. I do have a pristolite and a smith which I do use but
very seldom. The torches sell for about $100.00 for the
regulator and all. Happy soldering!!! David
Fishbre. I use a little torch w/oxy-propane soldering silver and
gold rings, pendants, chains, ect… I must admit that when I
said propane was a little cool for casting silver, that I was
using an acetylene regulator, and casting large flasks of silver.
I suppose thats a little restrictive to the proper flow of
propane. I’m working on setting up a home shop and after
reading some of the threads on gas and torches I think I may drop
using acetylene and get a propane regulator. I guess acetylene
really is pretty dirty stuff, hot, but dirty. There’s enough
problems with keeping a shop clean from polishing dust without
dealing with the darkened walls and ceilings from casting with
acetylene.
Rick Barnes
Gainesville, Fl.
here's enough problems with keeping a shop clean from polishing dust without dealing with the darkened walls and ceilings from casting with acetylene.
Hi, maybe that’s why I love acetylene, I don’t cast at all! One
needs to warm the entire piece for sweat soldering . . . My
pieces are made from sheet and wire, I solder quite a bit!
Fishbre - I, too, love my acetelyne torch (Prestolite). I
seldom work in gold and do most of my fabrication with sterling
sheet and wire. Let’s hear it for acetelyne!!! gini
I have a Smith torch and use acetyelene. The gas is safe and
works well. The Smith torch is a very good one and seems to be
relatively clean. A couple of months ago, I took a workshop with
John Cogswell who told us about propane accidents. I dont’ think
this sounds like something I would want in my basement.
Art is an absolute mistress; she will not be coquetted with or slighted;
she requires the most entire self-devotion, and she repays with grand
triumphs.
Karen Christians
Fly Fish Design
282 Lexington Street
Woburn, MA 01801
781/937-3827
I think I may drop using acetylene and get a propane regulator. I guess acetylene really is pretty dirty stuff, hot, but dirty.
hi rick,
one doesn’t need another regulator to switch to propane form
acetylene. i f it is good enough for acetylene, it is good
enough for propane. i tis the mixing tube and rosebud tip you
will have to change. or you can go with a large single port tip
with the proper mixing tube. set the regulator @ anywhere from 2
to 10 lbs, depending what you are doing.
best regards,
geo fox
Hi everybody: At home I use a barbeque regulator on my propane
setup. The 4-5lbs pressure is enough. However at my day job we
just recently converted from acetylene to propane and are using
the same (acetylene) regulator. HOWEVER we had to have the
regulator refitted for the propane. Apparently when you go to
propane it attacks the rubber seals inside the regulator. I
don’t think that it would have been a problem right away, but
over time who knows. I would get it checked out if I were you
folks
Cary James
Another very interesting torch is Harbor Freight’s blowtorch item
36346-0UFH. $19.99, hose and all, connects to a 5 gas propane
(barbecue grill) tank. A VERY powerful torch, use with caution
indoors. One of these and a couple boxes of good firebricks and the
world’s your kiln.
Also (and I am not connected with Harbor Freight!) you can also get
their blowtorch 40485-0UFH, designed for a smaller propane bottle,
take the top off this torch and use on the bigger one above. Now you
have a torch like a bottle torch (but more powerful) and you can point
it down, running on the 5 gal bottle.
If you do larger pieces, these torches are a must.
Richard Bynum @Richard_bynum