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Post by toiv0 on Oct 25, 2018 9:42:03 GMT -5
There was a thread awhile back on torches used for silversmithing. I had bought one from Lowe's that was butane. I couldn't get enough heat from it and ended up using the guys knapp gas to finish the lesson. What I am looking for is portable.
What does everyone else use.
I have a smith little torch at home and what I call a plumbers torch when I need some real heat.
Has anyone used the knock off smith little torches? Some one asked for a recommendation.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Oct 25, 2018 15:45:29 GMT -5
There are two Meco Midget torches listed on eBay at the moment. I don't know if that's what you're looking for, but it's the torch that I use and prefer.
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Post by toiv0 on Oct 25, 2018 19:43:20 GMT -5
There are two Meco Midget torches listed on eBay at the moment. I don't know if that's what you're looking for, but it's the torch that I use and prefer. Have you used the smith little torch? If you have what is the difference? I was looking for just a hand held butane with power to use on the road. But might try the Meco for home.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Oct 25, 2018 21:02:33 GMT -5
Have you used the smith little torch? If you have what is the difference? I was looking for just a hand held butane with power to use on the road. But might try the Meco for home. I've never tried the Smith Little Torch, Billy. I'm biased in favor of the Meco, of course, but one clear advantage of the Meco is that you can adjust the fuel and oxygen with your torch hand, so it's a one-hand torch unlike the Smith or a Hoke. On the other hand I know that people generally seem to be satisfied with whatever torch they use. If you do end up getting a Meco or a Smith, there's a Seattle jeweler that I know who sells quality tips for use with either one.
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Hand torch
Oct 25, 2018 23:29:40 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Pat on Oct 25, 2018 23:29:40 GMT -5
I like both my Syntax and Blazer mini butane torches.
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Post by orrum on Oct 26, 2018 8:38:30 GMT -5
Hello Pat. I founderstand several different Blazer Torches on Ebay. Which one do you use?
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zekesman
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2016
Posts: 637
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Post by zekesman on Oct 26, 2018 10:00:29 GMT -5
I love my Smith SilverSmith torch. It is Acetylene and air, so you only need one tank. Still not very portable as I wouldn't want to be packing an Acetylene tank around with me. Vic
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Post by Pat on Oct 26, 2018 10:08:53 GMT -5
orrum I have the Blazer GB-2001. It has a turning knob on one side for the on-off function. No push button for continuous flame. Really like it!
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 26, 2018 10:24:32 GMT -5
I have a Smith SilverSmith torch, too. I like it, but like Vic said, I wouldn't want to drag around the tank.
I have a Blazer, too. Its very portable, but very limiting.
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Post by orrum on Oct 26, 2018 16:04:17 GMT -5
What about the Blazer 8000? Most of my silversmithing I don't use a bezel. Instead I make cups for the end from a short piece of bezel or scrap trimming from the backs. Then put a couple flat prongs on top to hold the cab in place. I do a lot of silver dust or gold dust on the backing where it sticks out or use a dremel to scratch it up rustic style is me. I even bend and trim the back jagged like a leaf edge. Do you think the Blazer would handle that? O plus solder the bail or jump ring on the back?
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Post by Pat on Oct 26, 2018 19:16:30 GMT -5
I don't know anything about the Blazer 8000. I really like what I have. The mini-butane torches can handle anything up to a 50 cent piece size. Small stuff.
I use the creme brûlée torch for bigger items --- such as annealing cuff bracelets.
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Hand torch
Oct 26, 2018 19:45:19 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by orrum on Oct 26, 2018 19:45:19 GMT -5
Thanx Pat!!!
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 26, 2018 20:02:58 GMT -5
Have you used the smith little torch? If you have what is the difference? I was looking for just a hand held butane with power to use on the road. But might try the Meco for home. I've never tried the Smith Little Torch, Billy. I'm biased in favor of the Meco, of course, but one clear advantage of the Meco is that you can adjust the fuel and oxygen with your torch hand, so it's a one-hand torch unlike the Smith or a Hoke. On the other hand I know that people generally seem to be satisfied with whatever torch they use. If you do end up getting a Meco or a Smith, there's a Seattle jeweler that I know who sells quality tips for use with either one. Do they have tips for a Hoke? I got one that has a single tip appropriate for oxy/acetylene and I use oxy/propane so I need different tips. I have a Smiths that I'm ok with, but I mostly end up using a plumbers style propane torch with the extension hose so I don't have to hold the tank. www.homedepot.com/p/MagTorch-Universal-Hose-Extension-MT48EXT/300572118 It's the setup I originally learned on. Took some classes recently with the Meco torches, liked the handle location but they seemed really touchy to get the right flame, maybe just dirt from lots of classroom use/abuse.
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Post by toiv0 on Oct 27, 2018 3:57:31 GMT -5
Have you used the smith little torch? If you have what is the difference? I was looking for just a hand held butane with power to use on the road. But might try the Meco for home. I've never tried the Smith Little Torch, Billy. I'm biased in favor of the Meco, of course, but one clear advantage of the Meco is that you can adjust the fuel and oxygen with your torch hand, so it's a one-hand torch unlike the Smith or a Hoke. On the other hand I know that people generally seem to be satisfied with whatever torch they use. If you do end up getting a Meco or a Smith, there's a Seattle jeweler that I know who sells quality tips for use with either one. Might look into one for my solder area. Can't have too many tools.
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Post by toiv0 on Oct 27, 2018 4:04:57 GMT -5
I love my Smith SilverSmith torch. It is Acetylene and air, so you only need one tank. Still not very portable as I wouldn't want to be packing an Acetylene tank around with me. Vic Thats what I learned on is a plumbers torch has a bunch of tips. Maybe I can adapt one of those to a propane cylinder. Wouldn't be as hot as Acetylene. I have been looking for propane torch which have smaller tip than the normal ones you can buy at the harware store, or butane with tiny hot flame.
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Post by toiv0 on Oct 27, 2018 4:12:39 GMT -5
I've never tried the Smith Little Torch, Billy. I'm biased in favor of the Meco, of course, but one clear advantage of the Meco is that you can adjust the fuel and oxygen with your torch hand, so it's a one-hand torch unlike the Smith or a Hoke. On the other hand I know that people generally seem to be satisfied with whatever torch they use. If you do end up getting a Meco or a Smith, there's a Seattle jeweler that I know who sells quality tips for use with either one. Do they have tips for a Hoke? I got one that has a single tip appropriate for oxy/acetylene and I use oxy/propane so I need different tips. I have a Smiths that I'm ok with, but I mostly end up using a plumbers style propane torch with the extension hose so I don't have to hold the tank. www.homedepot.com/p/MagTorch-Universal-Hose-Extension-MT48EXT/300572118 It's the setup I originally learned on. Took some classes recently with the Meco torches, liked the handle location but they seemed really touchy to get the right flame, maybe just dirt from lots of classroom use/abuse. I have a friend who has a Hoke and I find that hard to adjust also. I wonder if there is a rebuild kit for the Meco and Hoke. Here is the plumber torch I use for the bigger jobs and learned smithing. you can get different size tips. I see them on auctions once in a while and Pawn shops in Southwest. Maybe 50 to 100 dollars with a tank. www.amazon.com/Forney-1720-Plumbers-Torch-Acetylene/dp/B003WRK378?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B003WRK378
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Post by opalpyrexia on Oct 27, 2018 8:08:36 GMT -5
Do they have tips for a Hoke? I got one that has a single tip appropriate for oxy/acetylene and I use oxy/propane so I need different tips. I have a Smiths that I'm ok with, but I mostly end up using a plumbers style propane torch with the extension hose so I don't have to hold the tank. www.homedepot.com/p/MagTorch-Universal-Hose-Extension-MT48EXT/300572118 It's the setup I originally learned on. Took some classes recently with the Meco torches, liked the handle location but they seemed really touchy to get the right flame, maybe just dirt from lots of classroom use/abuse.
My Meco valves can be a little touchy, too, but that's mostly me because I'm not using every day or even every week.
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Post by toiv0 on Oct 31, 2018 12:24:50 GMT -5
Still researching butane torches, probably just set up a regular soldering station but thought this video would be interesting to people who are begining to use a torch. This also crosses over to any torch you use not just butane.
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 31, 2018 12:27:11 GMT -5
What about the Blazer 8000? Most of my silversmithing I don't use a bezel. Instead I make cups for the end from a short piece of bezel or scrap trimming from the backs. Then put a couple flat prongs on top to hold the cab in place. I do a lot of silver dust or gold dust on the backing where it sticks out or use a dremel to scratch it up rustic style is me. I even bend and trim the back jagged like a leaf edge. Do you think the Blazer would handle that? O plus solder the bail or jump ring on the back? Will you post some of yours? I don't think I've seen what you are describing.
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Post by lpl on Nov 7, 2018 14:43:47 GMT -5
I'm seriously considering this torch: contenti.com/orca-propane-ez-torchIt gets reviewed quite well on some of the silversmithing groups I belong to and I like the idea of it's portability, and that it is a propane-air torch.
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