[Jewelry making - Article 01185] - Re: [Orchid] Acetylene & Oxygen Torch for Argentium Silver

[John]

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

>     I work exclusively with the argentium sterling. I use the
>     oxy/propane set up and have never had a problem. It works great and
>     I have no problems lighting any of the torch tips. I also use a
>     Smith acetylene/air torch for most all my soldering work and the
>     tiny torch for tight work and balling wire and working on small
>     items and tight areas. 

    Susan, may I ask, why don't you use your Oxy/Propane Little Torch
    when soldering Argentium? Do you feel you are not getting enough
    heat? I would assume the Oxy/Propane setup would get hot enough
    considering the lower temperature necessary for use with Argentium?
    Thanks, I'm just curious why? 

>     What you had to learn with propane, you will have to relearn with
>     the Smith and Oxy/Acet. 

    Actually Terry, I've been using Butane, not propane but you are
    right, I will have to relearn. 

>     There are ways to control the temp by the proportion of the gases,
>     and there are 3 types of flame, each will affect the temperature
>     with this device and controlling the heat by simple placement of
>     the object within the flame. 

    That is just excellent info. I thought each tip had a specific gas
    settings and didn't realize you could do some "tweaking" to change
    the flame. 

>     Check the archives there is considerable discussion on certain
>     metals and reactions with this type of heat source. 

    Terry, I have read pretty much every single post in the Orchid
    Archives containing the word "Argentium" (there have been quite a
    few)! There hasn't been that much discussion however on which gas is
    preferred. I'd guess that many already have a set-up when they
    started using Argentium and just continued with what they had. 

    I also check info on the Socieiy of American Silversmiths website,
    Cynthia's Eid's technical paper, Trevor's blog and the Argentium
    Silver website. In most cases, the words "propane", "acetylene" or
    even "gas" rarely show up if at all. All of these sources taught me
    SO MUCH about Argentium and I am so thankful for that. I refer to
    these all the time. 

    Cythia Eid who I consider one of the Argentium guru's uses
    Oxy/Acetylene (or at least she did when she started out with
    Argentium). In a past Archive post she wrote the following about
    fusing jumprings: 

        " I use my oxy-acetylene Little Torch with a number four tip,
        and a medium sized, reducing flame. So, depending on what torch
        you are using ... To me, I'd categorize it as a small, intense,
        local, very hot, neutral flame". 

    Hey Cynthia, are you ears ringing?? 

    I'm trying to figure out what system is the best and most efficient
    specifically with Argentium. If you were buying from scratch, which
    system would you buy? I'd really love to hear what others using
    Argentium have to say. 

Thank you,
John
____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________