[Jewelry making - Article 00711] - Re: [Orchid] Do small butane torches work?

[Jewelryartschool]

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

    Hi Gail, In my 35+ years of experience with the Meco torch - with ALL
    of the various  tips available - and using propane/ox for fuel -
    this torch comes as close to  being "perfect" as any I've ever
    worked with. 

    I do prefer a larger (and longer reach) torch to cast with, but I
    have  also cast with the Meco. We have every brand, make, and model
    of modern torch  available in the studio for students to try. (11
    different torches:) All fuels, with or without oxygen. Natural gas,
    propane, acetylene, and hydrogen. Meco has been hands down the
    domestic winner in the opinion of the majority of students. Hoke
    comes in second. Smith 3rd, Little Torch about 5th or 6th. Judged on
    both versatility and price. Covering the range of platinum welding
    to bismuth soldering. 

    In the late '60's, when I first tried to braze some silver with a
    hand held propane torch - waiting for the metal to come up to minimum
    heat to  solder, or worse yet - melt - drove me nuts for the first
    couple of weeks! I  might've quit if I hadn't discovered the Meco
    back then. 

    (Yes, brazing is the correct term - technically "soldering" is
    reserved  for combining metals by melting a different and much lower
    temperature  metal to bond the parts together.) 

    Use the little butane and hand held propane torches to get enough
    work done  (they do work) to make enough money to purchase a quality
    torch. In the  long run you will find it cheaper, faster, and far
    more precise. 

    I you need another reason, the larger tanks are  (legally)
    refillable and don't add to the landfills. 

    I think you can buy the little butane torches for $5.00 or less at
    Harbor  Freight nowadays when they are "on sale". I do use 'em....
    but for wax  modeling/polishing. 

Brian P.  Marshall
Stockton Jewelry Arts 
Stockton, CA 95209 USA
209-477-0550  Workshop/Studio/
instructor AT jewelryartschool.com
jewelryartschool AT aol.com


____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________