[Jewelry making - Article 00188] - Re: [Orchid] How Good is The Little Torch?

[jake]

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

    I am not the best person to answer your questions. The torches used
    by bead makers are highly specialized, the torches used to construct
    jewelry are an entirely different animal. That mapp "hot head" you
    have is better than any bench torch, as far as I know no one uses one
    for that. I assume that the torch you used for glasswork looked
    something like one of these, http://www.artglass1.com/kitslamp4.htm
    You may want to look also http://www.cindybeads.com the torch she
    uses cost over $400. They also said that the "The Nortel Minor burner
    is also an excellent torch," this is far less. 

    A look at jewelry torches will show that those are entirely
    different. As for a torch for pmc, there are I have seen used at
    shows, a refillable mini torch designed just for that, Rio Grand
    (others) sell one. They seem to be rather good. In this case another
    torch would work, as well. Decide just what you need to do, this way
    you will get what you need and avoid the expense of what you don't.
    This is important as a torch for glass, they call them burners, can
    cost over $1,000. Depending on needs something else may be better.
    Just looking I noticed some specialize in something. I would not
    know, but I imagine that there are forums, similar to this list,
    just as there are for rockhounds, faceters, etc. just for those who
    make glass beads. 

    As far as the best jeweler's torch, the verdict will always be out.
    The Little Torch is a great torch, on gold, but not the best for
    silver. There is a reason why those who make silver jewelry prefer
    air/acetylene to such as the Little Torch. Many people use the Little
    Torch on silver, but the construction of a large western type belt
    buckle will show a limitation. There was an online article on this,
    but I do not have the link, explaining all this in some detail. It is
    not without reason those who make a good deal of custom silver
    jewelry, that their main, often only torch, is air/acetylene. Peter
    Rowe gave the following, referring to why air/acetylene is the usual
    choice for silversmithing. "The broad soft flame makes evenly heating
    the whole piece much easier, and avoids much of the uneven expansion
    and warping that can occur with larger sheet metal pieces when you
    try to use a very small hot flame instead of heating everything
    gently." Silver and gold conduct heat differently. 

    The torch I like is the German-made, Precision LP Gas Torch. This is
    air/propane, works great on silver (I have used air/acetylene) and
    is more versatile than the Smith air/acetylene. For me this was, for
    different reason the best torch I could own, it will do everything I
    need of it. That is the real test. (The Smith can melt more, I do can
    some things with this i wouldn't try with the other.) I can alloy
    gold or silver, cast, great for construction work (rings, large
    pendants, bolos etc.); it is capable of fine detail work as well,
    such as re-tipping a prong etc. For me that fact it can operate off a
    disposable canister means it meets the local fire code. This was
    designed for jewelers, so of course it can be used for gold work
    also. Since I do not plan on using platinum I have no need of a
    hotter flame. As said the cooler flame is actually an advantage on
    silver. The best torch for you, ether a jeweler's torch, or one for
    glass beads, is the one that will do everything you need of it. Do it
    well and with reasonable ease. Take your time, study it, and shop
    around. Because someone prefers one torch to some other one, that
    should not influence you final decision.
____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________