[Jewelry making - Article 00308] - Re: [Orchid] Do small butane soldering torches work?

[jake]

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    I forgot to mention something that may help someone out there. While
    a small butane torch may be great for what it dose, it is a specialty
    tool, and very limited. A plumbers torch can get some work done, but
    again is limited. (I mentioned the LP gas torch; it is a serious
    piece of business, with a price that reflects it, you also want the
    optional #3 tip.) However some may want to do it on the cheap. I
    noticed a mention of a pencil torch, be aware that it puts out 1400
    F, that will not melt hard solder! (Nor is it rated for mapp.) 

    You do not have to settle for that. I will mention a Shark torch;
    this is a better choice. You can get it from Kent's tool or on Ebay,
    for about the same price as the higher end butane torches.  I thought
    about one, it dose have some limits, but is a much better choice,
    than the butane, plumbers, or pencil torch. Below is a discussion,
    more important is that they have no financial interest and they use
    it in a class they teach (insurance). 

          To Wit, Edited: 

          Question- 

          "I know you gave it a thumbs up, but I need to know, and this
          is important, what limitations this torch may have. . What I
          need to know is if this torch can do large pendants, bracelets,
          and belt buckles and bolos. The last two, if it struggles a bit
          but will do it may be acceptable if it is not in the realm of
          ridiculous." 

          Reply- 

          Honesty, no problem! The <> is a piece of <>, wouldn't use it
          to burn down my house, let alone jewelry! I use a firebrick
          surround when I'm doing big jobs, which helps bounce the heat
          back at the object. . Honestly, I end up using two of them when
          I do stuff that big. I can easily do bolos, and large pendants,
          but I think the heavy weight of belt buckles might be
          prohibitive. . It ends up being a bit awkward. It is important
          to use the firebrick surround, keeps the heat up, otherwise
          you're fighting a losing battle. So in summary, it's not in the
          realm of ridiculous, by any stretch, just needs an extra boost
          of heat to speed up the process. In all other applications, I
          am quite happy with it, especially due to the cost and the fine
          point flame available. 

    Bottom line- this is a better choice for the price for those who
    want something well under $100. As said it dose have limits, you may
    need to use it for the soldering and another torch to help with heat
    on larger jobs (if you already have one that will do) and forgo
    buckles (large ones). But this is a better choice than what I have
    heard.  Its advantage is of course that it is cheap, placing it the
    general price range of the pencil torch and better butane torches.

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