Hi, I'm new to this group and hope for some advice.
My problem is this: I ordered my first torch a few years ago. A Smith propane/air set-up that they no longer sell. I also discovered (recently) that the torch size I've been using is more suited to annealing than fine soldering work (I can't believe I've been able to create anything with the monster tip I've been using). Armed with this knowledge, I embarked on a quest for my new torch. After having the daylights scared out of me regarding propane, I opted for an acetylene/ oxygen combination. So, I ordered the oxy/acetylene/Smith Little torch combination from Rio Grande. I received it today and was shocked at how small the torch is. It seems just too small (much smaller than the torch being used in the jewerly class I took recently).Disappointed and concerned I just conducted some more research online and have read that the Little Torch oxy/acetylene combination is probably the worst set-up you can possibly have. With that in mind, I will be packing up this new torch and returning it. But I still don't know what gas and torch to choose. I want the most versatility that I can get. I'm not sure if I should get an oxy/ propane set up (and should I go for the Meco Midget in that case?) or should I call up my plumber and have him work on fixing some pipes so that I can work with Natural gas (though I have no idea how the oxygen tank would come into the picture). I just want a versatile set up that has a mid-size torch and is safe (my cat does hang out in the basement, which is where I do my jewelery work).
> Hi, I'm new to this group and hope for some advice.
> My problem is this: I ordered my first torch a few years ago. A Smith > propane/air set-up that they no longer sell. I also discovered > (recently) that the torch size I've been using is more suited to > annealing than fine soldering work (I can't believe I've been able to > create anything with the monster tip I've been using). Armed with this > knowledge, I embarked on a quest for my new torch. After having the > daylights scared out of me regarding propane, I opted for an acetylene/ > oxygen combination. So, I ordered the oxy/acetylene/Smith Little torch > combination from Rio Grande. I received it today and was shocked at how > small the torch is. It seems just too small (much smaller than the torch > being used in the jewerly class I took recently).Disappointed and > concerned I just conducted some more research online and have read that > the Little Torch oxy/acetylene combination is probably the worst set-up > you can possibly have.
What a crock those articles were! That torch is excellent for many jewelry operations.
> With that in mind, I will be packing up this new torch and returning > it. But I still don't know what gas and torch to choose. I want the most > versatility that I can get. I'm not sure if I should get an oxy/ propane > set up (and should I go for the Meco Midget in that case?) or should I > call up my plumber and have him work on fixing some pipes so that I can > work with Natural gas (though I have no idea how the oxygen tank would > come into the picture). I just want a versatile set up that has a > mid-size torch and is safe (my cat does hang out in the basement, which > is where I do my jewelery work).
Keep your Little Torch. Get a Y manifold for the acetylene and add a hose with an air-acetylene torch on the end. (Goss, Prestolite, etc.) You will be able to do anything from fusing gold to soldeiring large silver pieces. -- mbstevens
> Hi, I'm new to this group and hope for some advice.
> My problem is this: I ordered my first torch a few years ago. A Smith > propane/air set-up that they no longer sell. I also discovered > (recently) that the torch size I've been using is more suited to > annealing than fine soldering work (I can't believe I've been able to > create anything with the monster tip I've been using). Armed with this > knowledge, I embarked on a quest for my new torch. After having the > daylights scared out of me regarding propane, I opted for an acetylene/ > oxygen combination. So, I ordered the oxy/acetylene/Smith Little torch > combination from Rio Grande. I received it today and was shocked at > how small the torch is. It seems just too small (much smaller than the > torch being used in the jewerly class I took recently).Disappointed > and concerned I just conducted some more research online and have read > that the Little Torch oxy/acetylene combination is probably the worst > set-up you can possibly have. > =A0With that in mind, I will be packing up this new torch and returning > it. But I still don't know what gas and torch to choose. I want the > most versatility that I can get. I'm not sure if I should get an oxy/ > propane set up (and should I go for the Meco Midget in that case?) or > should I call up my plumber and have him work on fixing some pipes so > that I can work with Natural gas (though I have no idea how the oxygen > tank would come into the picture). I just want a versatile set up that > has a mid-size torch and is safe (my cat does hang out in the > basement, which is where I do my jewelery work).
I recently got a Smith Little Torch and am using an oxy/propane setup (the small 1lb. tanks) and LOVE it. I got a few different tips for it, but haven't switched from the tip it came with and have done fine soldering, a bit of fusing, and melted down some scrap for molds. The hardest thing to get used to was the sound--it's super-quiet. I was previously using basically a small, hand-held creme brulee torch (also can't believe I was able to create much with that). I have 2 kitties who are always rightthere while I'm working, and all fur is still in place. :)
Des wrote: > Hi, I'm new to this group and hope for some advice.
> My problem is this: I ordered my first torch a few years ago. A Smith > propane/air set-up that they no longer sell. I also discovered > (recently) that the torch size I've been using is more suited to > annealing than fine soldering work (I can't believe I've been able to > create anything with the monster tip I've been using). Armed with this > knowledge, I embarked on a quest for my new torch. After having the > daylights scared out of me regarding propane, I opted for an acetylene/ > oxygen combination. So, I ordered the oxy/acetylene/Smith Little torch > combination from Rio Grande. I received it today and was shocked at > how small the torch is. It seems just too small (much smaller than the > torch being used in the jewerly class I took recently).Disappointed > and concerned I just conducted some more research online and have read > that the Little Torch oxy/acetylene combination is probably the worst > set-up you can possibly have.
I agree. That torch is mostly useful for small work. Not for "general" jewelry fabrication. Mine has been sitting in a drawer for the last 25 years. A totally useless tool in my studio.
> With that in mind, I will be packing up this new torch and returning > it. But I still don't know what gas and torch to choose. I want the > most versatility that I can get. I'm not sure if I should get an oxy/ > propane set up (and should I go for the Meco Midget in that case?) or > should I call up my plumber and have him work on fixing some pipes so > that I can work with Natural gas (though I have no idea how the oxygen > tank would come into the picture). I just want a versatile set up that > has a mid-size torch and is safe (my cat does hang out in the > basement, which is where I do my jewelery work).
If you have access to it, IMO natural gas is the best. You can then combine it with compressed air (mouth blown, bellows or compressor) or oxygen.
> Des wrote: > > Hi, I'm new to this group and hope for some advice.
> > My problem is this: I ordered my first torch a few years ago. A Smith > > propane/air set-up that they no longer sell. I also discovered > > (recently) that the torch size I've been using is more suited to > > annealing than fine soldering work (I can't believe I've been able to > > create anything with the monster tip I've been using). Armed with this > > knowledge, I embarked on a quest for my new torch. After having the > > daylights scared out of me regarding propane, I opted for an acetylene/ > > oxygen combination. So, I ordered the oxy/acetylene/Smith Little torch > > combination from Rio Grande. I received it today and was shocked at > > how small the torch is. It seems just too small (much smaller than the > > torch being used in the jewerly class I took recently).Disappointed > > and concerned I just conducted some more research online and have read > > that the Little Torch oxy/acetylene combination is probably the worst > > set-up you can possibly have.
> I agree. =A0That torch is mostly useful for small work. =A0Not for "gener= al" > jewelry fabrication. =A0Mine has been sitting in a drawer for the last 25 > years. =A0A totally useless tool in my studio.
> > =A0With that in mind, I will be packing up this new torch and returning > > it. But I still don't know what gas and torch to choose. I want the > > most versatility that I can get. I'm not sure if I should get an oxy/ > > propane set up (and should I go for the Meco Midget in that case?) or > > should I call up my plumber and have him work on fixing some pipes so > > that I can work with Natural gas (though I have no idea how the oxygen > > tank would come into the picture). I just want a versatile set up that > > has a mid-size torch and is safe (my cat does hang out in the > > basement, which is where I do my jewelery work).
> If you have access to it, IMO natural gas is the best. =A0You can then > combine it with compressed air (mouth blown, bellows or compressor) or > oxygen.
I started out using a Prestolite tank in the 70,s for doing silver work. I then moved into the Hoke torch using propane and Oxygen. I now use natural gas, and found that having a "Y" connector I can use both the larger Hoke torch along with the the Micro Medgit without having to lose time. I can appreciate someone using one torch for everything, but I just feel better having the micro torch for very fine wire work, 28, 30ga gives me more control.
On Jul 1, 10:36=A0pm, Des <desdem...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi, I'm new to this group and hope for some advice.
> My problem is this: I ordered my first torch a few years ago. A Smith > propane/air set-up that they no longer sell. I also discovered
> tank would come into the picture). I just want a versatile set up that > has a mid-size torch and is safe (my cat does hang out in the > basement, which is where I do my jewelery work).
I learned on and use a air/acetylene torch from smith, the Smith Handi Heat. You can get a number of tip sizes from #00 to #4. Have used this torch for all sizes of items from large dinnerplate belt buckles down to 24 gauge jump rings that I pick solder for chain. Check online for Smith torch dealers, and you might want to go to a local welding supply shop instead of a jewlers supply as the cost should be less.
No connection to Smith welding products other then using their torch
> On Jul 1, 10:36=A0pm, Des <desdem...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hi, I'm new to this group and hope for some advice.
> > My problem is this: I ordered my first torch a few years ago. A Smith > > propane/air set-up that they no longer sell. I also discovered
> > tank would come into the picture). I just want a versatile set up that > > has a mid-size torch and is safe (my cat does hang out in the > > basement, which is where I do my jewelery work).
> I learned on and use a air/acetylene torch from smith, the Smith > Handi Heat. > You can get a number of tip sizes from #00 to #4. Have used this > torch for all sizes > of items from large dinnerplate belt buckles down to 24 gauge jump > rings that I pick solder > for chain. Check online for Smith torch dealers, and you might want > to go to a local welding supply shop > instead of a jewlers supply as the cost should be less.
> No connection to Smith welding products other then using their torch
