little torch

ken dixon · Feb 6, 2009

I wondered if anyone had used the propane/ox Smith Little Torch for soldering? Does the #7 tip put out enough heat to solder heavy buckles, 3"x4"x 16ga silver. Or do you need the rosebud tip? Is there a better torch? Thanks Ken

D.DOUGLAS · Feb 6, 2009

Ken, If you can get a propane oxy set in the little torch it would work just great. Yes i would get the rosebud tip for soldering silver. I also have been looking at a torch in Indian jewelry supply that uses propane and the oxy is used from the atmosphere.# 307-PRKP115 this kit comes with the medium tip which would probably work fine. There is also a large tip available. This would be a good setup for silver soldering and is also a bit cheaper. I have a little torch with oyx acet. and i use it to solder about everything from large sterling buckles to fine hollow gold chain. I have not worked with propane but it burns much cleaner and is not quite as hot. Good Luck Doug

Daniel Houwer · Feb 6, 2009

Hi Ken,
The little torche is a very good torch for the smallest work to quite big stuff. So if you want to do small things too, this is your torch. I agree fully with Doug, get the rosebud for the big stuff.
I made an adapter to be able to fit seringe needles on it as burner tips (wont work with acytelene, they would burn up Ive been told). I also made some bigger burnerheads inbetween the nr 7 and the rosebud.
Best burner I ever had!

Markofx · Feb 6, 2009

Hi Ken,

when doing soldering on larger pieces of silver, buckles, bracelets, and your using Oxy, Propane the LiL Torch has a rose bud tip you can buy. I wouldn't use Acetolene as it's to damm hot and you'll have fire scale everywhere. I brought two "Y" connectors for each tank and have a larger Hoke torch for bigger jobs when I need it. They come with seperate knobs so you can shut one off when not needed. Check a welder supply store and you can get the "Y" connectors.

Mark

lesholmes · Feb 8, 2009

I have a Smith LiL Torch in Propane and Oxygen that I use for soldering gold. But I need a wider flame for soldering silver because silver conducts heat much better than gold. I generally plan on raising the entire silver piece to a light pink. To do that I use a propane/air torch I bought in the plumbing section of the local hardware store.

I made and repaired a lot of sterling jewelry using that torch. I will be using it again today on my first Argentium project.

Les Holmes

wdale.bass · Feb 8, 2009

Ive been using the little acealene torch from RIO for about 15 years to build trophy buckles and put backs on steel conchos,etc.. I use a #6 tip on just about everything because you can adjust the flame small for delicate soldering or go big for large heat items.Afterwords I let the item cool to room temp and the let set in Sno-Bowl toilet cleaner until the firescale has dissapeared,polish out and put in the ultrasonic cleaneer and its ready to engrave.

little torch

ken dixon

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D.DOUGLAS

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Daniel Houwer

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Markofx

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lesholmes

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wdale.bass

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