Jamie Hascall 4/4/17

Hi All, We held our first mountmaking workshop this past week at our studio in Seattle. In the process of watching fresh people navigate the use of the various torches that we had on hand, I realized that the types I have become comfortable with over many years all have certain difficulties that must be learned. It led me to wonder what specific torches are being used in the shops around the field, and how people feel about them. I’m especially interested to hear about new products that people have found and how they like them. I’ve just become aware of Sievert torches and am wondering if anyone is using their Powerjet or Promatic models. In the end, I hope to get a large group of examples here in the studio and do a standardized evaluation on them, and publish the results for the group. Here is a run-down of the torches we used, and what I see as advantages and disadvantages-

Bernzomatic TS8000 MAPP Gas 

Advantages:

Instant start/instant off with locking button for long use Hot enough to do silver brazing of stock up to 1/4”Relatively inexpensive and readily available. ($50-80)Portable to remote site.Readily available fuel.

Disadvantages:

Fat, unfocused flame, little choice of tips.Unwieldy with fuel tank in place. (Preparing to try with auxiliary hose)Fuel relatively expensive. ($10/disposable tank)Larger work requires long working time or two torches. 

Meco Midget Oxygen/Fuel torch

Advantages:

Dual Fuel, dependent on tips chosen. (Propane, Acetylene, natural gas)Large range of tip sizes from small to large. Very versatile.Can braze larger stock and gas weld steel.Very comfortable hand piece design.Very high heat and focused flame.

Disadvantages:

High skill level to use effectively.Dual valves require balancing flame. Steep learning curve. High initial cost. (Torch handle, tips, regulators, hoses, tanks, lighter. $500)Fuel/Oxygen mostly available at welding suppliers.Fuels more hazardous from volume and explosive standpoint than small disposable tanks.Less portable to job site, depending on tank size.

Acetylene/air (Goss)

Advantages:

Simple single regulator and control valve systemInterchangeable tips give range of flame size/temperatures.

Disadvantages:

Fuel expensive and available only at welding suppliers.Fuel explosive on impact or at excessive regulator pressuresLarger tip sizes yield large flames.Less portable to job site, depending on tank size.Moderately high initial cost. ($350).

I hope this piques peoples interest enough to share their experience with the group. I’m sure there must be brands and types of torches out there that are worth our consideration. Thanks, Jamie Jamie Hascall Craftsman, Trainer, Consultant Mountmakingfocus.com jamie@mountmakingfocus.com Seattle, WA 206-954-4141

Alex Phillips 10/16/17

Hello, Im new here but thought this one is easy to answer.we have a microflame 60 walsh's whom sell them say  "The Micro Flame gas generating soldering unit is one of the best known and well respected pieces of equipment used in the jewellery trade.

These soldering units use distilled water as a fuel and by a process of electrolysis, produce an oxygen/hydrogen gas.

This gas then passes through a solution, to slow down its burning rate and then through a hose to the torch. Although to some this may sound sophisticated the Micro Flame is, in fact, delightfully simple and easy to use.

The torch is light and designed for precision jewellery and similar soldering duties.

The flame size is altered by changing the end nozzle; a simple operation taking a few seconds.

Flame temperature 1800°C." quite pricey but silent and keep the health and safety lot at bay. I  prefer my Rothenberger superflame 2 ( same as a Benzo but with differnet branding) as while a bit clumsy is so easy to light.