[Jewelry making - Article 00433] - Re: [Orchid] Do small butane soldering torches work?

[jake]

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    I have been reading the posts regarding the use of certain torches
    etc. While I will admit that they may be better than nothing at all,
    they are all going to lead to the following type of problem which is
    unnecessary. Bev Bockman editor of the Northwest Federation of
    Mineralogical Societies' newsletter wrote me. "I had a terrible time
    finding the right torch for my fabricating work-gave away one, sold
    one and finally got a torch that seems good." 

    The problem is with some of those solutions, so-called, is what they
    can not do. This is not being mentioned. What is worse, is they will
    subject people to the same problem above. Miss Bockman is not, was
    not, a novice and had no need to "learn" until she got experience, as
    I was told in looking for a solution. It's quite easy to loose a
    sense of humor, quickly; it's not funny or smart. Sadly I see this
    repeated. Why? There are some other problems as well. 

    LP gas storage in a residence (USA)- The NFPA regulation has been
    adopted by all 50 states is that you can have a 2 1/2 lb. (Coleman
    type) container, and no more than 2 for a 5 lb. total in a residence,
    maximum, this is now law. This includes a structure attached to that
    residence, such as a garage. Some districts and states have adopted
    an earlier recommendation as their code, that is a 1-lb. canister and
    no more than two.  This means that larger LP tanks are not legal even
    to store in a residence, sorry. 

    Acetylene is widely banned. Where it is not insurance can be a
    problem. Call or email your fire department. If you have a studio
    that is not your residence the same applies for any gas storage, see
    what the code is. You may also want to ask your insurance company, it
    may void your policy. That is you may find you do not have a policy
    (on anything due to that acetylene tank or of course any non-code gas
    storage). Even if in compliance the insurance carrier may drop or
    refuse coverage, or want more $$. 

    If you are renter a regular oxygen tank may be out of the question.
    The disposable canister last (on a Little Torch) 15-25 depending on
    setting, at about $10 a pop. I do not see that as practical,
    especially on silver. 

    There are ways out of this. The following is edited.  "I am a list
    member (different list) and have dealt with this flammable gas
    storage, in the following manner. I am very respectful of safety
    procedures and the need to meet fire codes. This is what I have done
    in my home shop. I have an Oxygen refillable container. 40 cu ft. (M)
    I use a disposable 16 0z propane cylinder. (Smith Little Torch) Do
    not waste your time on the disposable oxygen tanks  .  - A total
    waste of money - Not economical at all to use. If you wish to avoid
    problems at all .  simply sit the entire soldering set up outside
    when you are not using it. Put it inside a secured, lockable, vented
    cabinet OUTSIDE.  Another used a licensed contractor for some
    plumbing; tanks were outside. Another got hold of a used oxygen
    generator for $100 and uses a propane canister. Those ideas are out
    if you rent and new oxygen generators are quite expensive. Water
    torches, another option, cost $ and are not the best choice for
    everything. 

    I could not use acetylene, period and was limited to one pound of
    gas. Furthermore I could not use a regular oxygen tank. I wrote to
    the IGS about the feasibility of using converted acetylene equipment.
    The answer was that I should rethink that. What you need is high heat
    and fine control. Jewelers usually use oxygen and propane or
    acetylene to do in seconds what will take minutes. 

    The converted equipment would work, with a large downside. The usual
    air/propane torch is an acetylene torch with different tips allowing
    it to burn propane. They are not even close to a match of their
    unconverted counterparts. I had almost given up on a good solution. 

    I found a solution to my problem in the Precision LP Gas Torch. I
    prefer it to air/acetylene for silver, had been using the clubs
    torches; its real strength is in the fine work it is capable of.  It
    is a goldsmith's torch after all, and unlike claims made for some
    things this is no joke. The cooler flame is an advantage on silver.
    It will not alloy palladium white gold, but will cast several
    premixed palladium white gold casting grains. It will alloy any
    standard gold or silver alloy. As for casting at about 400 Kpa, tests
    were carried out, casting 90 grams of sterling. The agent's regulator
    goes only to 450 Kpa and have alloyed and cast 100 grams sterling,
    ONE STEP. As for commercial casting grain (and/or scrap) I do not
    know. I admit a Smith handi-heat will cast more. But again this wins
    for detail work, good for filigree or the like, very nice for silver
    jewelry construction also. A 0-60 Psi regulator on a disposable
    canister gives you about 414 Kpa, which is not needed for just
    soldering, but is still more than enough for alloying and casting as
    said above. It solved my problem and I am very happy with it. This is
    a fine product; I have no financial interest. 

    For information on that torch, see
    http://www.apecs.com.au/guild/lpgas.htm also for all interested see
    http://www.apecs.com.au they have an excellent article on alloying in
    the small shop. 

    It is painful to notice a repeat of various things I have seen in
    print the last few days, pistol grip plumber's torches, pencil
    torches, and the like. You are in for disappointment if you get one
    of those. You are much better off with that Shark torch I mentioned.
    See Ebay $59 or Kent's tools. Not my first choice, but a hands-down
    winner over the likes of those. They will just not get it. Do not
    delude yourself about it, or others. 

    As for air/acetylene torches, I assume that if this is your choice
    you do want a good price on it. See these links for other torches as
    well, always shop around (PS noticed some inflation since last I
    looked) Prest-o-lite torch http://www.jsritter.com/tools/torch2.htm
    $137.95 complete (tank extra, usually best got locally). Smith etc.
    (Smith Handi-heat # NE835a complete kit $178.00, minus tank)
    http://www.jandrweldingsupply.com  - This last would be the first
    place I would look, unfortunately the web page is under
    reconstruction, you may want to wait, seriously
    http://www.pacificwelding.com  - 

    Lastly do not be shy about calling local welding suppliers on the
    torch you may want. There are some exceptions but jeweler suppliers
    usually do not have as good price as welding supply. (They sell so
    few by comparison.) Always keep an open mind, become informed, and
    most importantly always shop around when a decision is made, dollars
    saved are the same as dollars earned.

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