[Jewelry making - Article 00594] - Re: [Orchid] Do small butane soldering torches work?

[jake]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

>     No offense Jake but I think you're overstating the case by a
>     goodly amount. ... For someone in that "getting started at a
>     minimal cost" position  those torches are a great way to begin.

    Reply-cheap torch: 

    I may have (in part only) deserved a rebuff for overstating the
    case. However, this still brings up the problem I mentioned. "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." 

    This was from someone with experience, they wanted a torch for home,
    and due to restrictions this can cause problems in selection. 

    I tend to forget that I, unlike some, cut stone; you are not going
    to want to cut down stone only for the purpose of having it small
    enough for the torch to handle. The very first thing I made could not
    have been done with a plumber's torch, period. Although it is true
    that silver work can be done without a torch, looking into the
    history of southwest jewelry you discover Navajos using a flat rock
    and billows. Two things you should be aware of, one is a high failure
    rate in the hands of someone who has mastered it, and the other is
    time involved. You can cut stone (cabochons) without lapidary
    equipment. I do not know anyone who would want to make it a habit. 

    I tried to be balanced, if you were set on a cheaper torch I would
    strongly recommend a look at the Shark Torch. Unlike a pencil torch
    this will melt hard solder. This is a big step up from the likes I
    mentioned, I even thought about getting one. This is not in the same
    class as Smith or Prestolite, or the torch I have (the precision LP
    gas torch) and some others. It big advantage is of course that it is
    cheap. I posted a few days before and did admit that some work can be
    done with the others. Point is some of us belong to clubs and are
    involved in lapidary, as said those others are just not going to get
    it. In fact when you give one torch away, sell one (at a loss, it's
    used) you have wasted money, might as well take the money out of your
    wallet and flush it down the toilet. You will then need to get a
    torch that is usable. If you are doing lapidary work and
    silversmithing this problem is immediate, no way around that. It
    doesn't have to be that way. 

    The reason for that post was to spare someone from "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." That is also why I
    discussed other options and gave links to welding supplies for a good
    price on a number of torches. 

    I will again post information on a low cost torch; you can get it on
    Ebay or Kent's tools. I have permission to use this dialog on this
    torch, and wrote an article on it in the Northwestern Federation of
    Gem and Mineral Societies newsletter. I will however not use their
    name for this post, as I do not want them to be bothered, they are a
    jewelry designer by trade and teach a class that they use this torch
    in, in part due to insurance. This letter is several years old, which
    is why I cannot see why some advice is given, when there is a better
    resonably cheap solution. To Wit: 

    Question, Edited: 

>     I hope this is not a bother, but as you have no financial interest
>     in the matter, i.e. do not sell the item, I hope you may give me
>     an honest answer. I saw your Orchid post regarding the Shark torch.
>     I know you gave it a thumbs up, but I need to know, and this is
>     important, what limitations this torch may have. As for myself, I
>     cut rock. I also have got involved in silversmithing, belong to a
>     rock club etc. 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, Unedited: 

>     Honesty, no problem! The Bernzomatic is a piece of crap, wouldn't
>     use it to burn down my house, let alone jewelry! The Shark torch
>     comes with three tips, from quite fine for small stuff to large
>     for much bigger jobs. I use a firebrick surround when I'm doing big
>     jobs, which helps bounce the heat back at the object.
>     Unfortunately, belt buckles and large bracelets are tough with most
>     torches, and 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. Now, if you
>     have a Bernzomatic, you can use that in one hand to keep the heat
>     up in the whole piece and use the Shark as the main focus for the
>     actual soldering. It ends up being a bit awkward, but it certainly
>     works, and is definitely cheaper than an acetylene set up. 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.

    As you can see this is a hands-down better choice (in regards to
    some suggestions), and comes much closed to meeting the needs. For
    larger jobs, you may well want one of those other torches, but only
    as help. This is not of course in the class of Prestolite and Smith,
    etc. but for someone trying to get by "on the cheap" it should do the
    trick, its really not that bad, it dose have some limitations as
    noted above. As for the problem I was trying to address, it doesn't
    have to be that way. Then again I read a post on this list not so
    long ago when it was expressed that those starting out should suffer,
    I don't see why.

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________