QuestionI am a fledgling jewelry maker, and in order to feed my addiction more than once a week in my class, I'd like to buy a torch. Buuuuut. . . .
1. What accessories do I need? i.e. torch, lighter, gas, tips, etc.
2. What are the better brands? I've heard Hoke and Smith, but even within those are soooo many choices.
3. If I want to get a torch to last at least 15 years (perhaps I'll go back to knitting?), what is the least/most I should expect to spend?
Anything you can tell me would be great. Thanks!
Megan.
AnswerGreetings,
I think the best thing is to keep things simple.
I have a torch set up which utilises a simple LPG cylinder and a Primus Hand Piece. This is the brand that I've always bought.
I run three burners, being a pin flame, a standard and a larger head for heating annealing etc.
Find out what the standard mid size is and work with this.
If you are happy with the setup at your college, then maybe buy these.
I wouldn't expect that the cost would be more than say 50~80 for the handpiece, and maybe 40 for each of the heads. Then you have the hose - 3 metres is good - which might be 25........hard to say as I assume you are in the US and I am in Oz.
The main thing is to get a handpiece that will allow you to adjust the gas flow, rather than just being on?off and then to get to know your torch and learn where the heat is and how it works with each head.
Once you become quite proficient and more addicted, you may want to consider an oxy-propane set up which can create very intense and quite select heat or a very soft and small heat as well.
Hope this is of assistance.
Cheers, P
