Wow! I am so happy to find this video. It has a lot of great information for torch types. I am taking a Jewelry Repair and Design class and I don't feel too comfortable using the bulky mapp gas torch they included in my kit for making a chain ID bracelet. I of course, have to form the chain links and solder them and I was wanting to use a small butane torch. This video cleared up the confusions for me. Now I know I can use the small torch. Thanks for posting this video.
Hello Althea, I am glad you found me too. Good luck on your bracelet. Let me know how it goes and if you have any questions in the future. Greg Greenwood
Honestly, you are an exceptional teacher you really place the proper information at the proper location if you have a course and I was local, I would probably take it but I live on an island where we don’t have any of those things so I have to rely on videos from you. Thank you.
There's just one thing to add for the small butane torches: Some of the cheaper ones have bad insulation and you can burn your fingers rather easily on those, so one should not go for a cheap torch here. Some of the more expensive ones (eg the new Durston butane torch or the Proxxon MicroFlame torch) can be controlled single-handedly in either your right or your left hand - I absolutely love that feature because the second hand is always free to do other tasks. On the con side against the butane torches may be also that you need to let them cool down before you can refill the tank - I have therefore 2 identical torches of the model I use as my main workhorse for smaller projects so I don't need to wait when one goes low on fuel.
Hello Torsten, Nice to hear from you. I knew you would have some helpful hints! Also, one should let the gas settle after the torch is filled. Thank you very much for your great comments and thanks again for watching. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Also, I have a vent system set up in the ceiling that be like a strong vent that you would have for a bathroom vent and one on the counter that sucks away fumes as well. I generally put them both on when I try to solder notice I use the word try
Hi Greg great video. Man, I wish that I had done more initial research when I started off. I got through several cheap ‘plumbers’ torches and ‘kitchen’ torches before realising they didn’t suit what I wanted to make. In the UK it’s very problematic and very expensive to get acetylene gas. With hind sight I wish that I had gone straight for a mixed gas torch, it would have been much cheaper and more satisfying. I now have a good collection of torches but only use two, a Sievert jewellers torch with a needle jet and a pepper pot jet, this is a good single gas (propane) torch and I could manage with just this for most work but my favourite torch is a Flametech Lite, (sold in the UK as a Refrigerant Engineers brazing kit) this is a bit on the large size and is just like the standard oxy-acetylene torch that you’ll see in most engineering workshops. It runs on Map gas and bottled oxygen and, with a range of nozzles will do fine work or melt steel bars. If I buy another torch, it’ll be a propane and air (or oxygen) device, like your old favourite that runs on gas and compressed air, I should think that it’s very satisfying to know that you are in control of the consumables that the torch uses, no running out of bottled gases!! All the very best my friend. Kind regards . . . Andy
Hello Andy, Very nice to hear from you and for you to share your experiences. Thank you for giving more info about the availability in the UK. It is hard to cover all information from around the world in a short video. Take care and talk to you soon. Greg Greenwood
I quit silversmithing about 13 years ago, but I still have my torches, tanks, acetylene gas, and tools. Lately, I have a rekindled interest in silversmithing and I'm unsure if there is any danger of using my stored acetylene and oxygen gas. The tanks have always been stored upright. I have flashback arresters on each hose. I have the Smith Silversmith acetylene and Smith Littel Torch acety/O2. Thank you in advance
Hello Mystic, I am excited that you have rekindled your interest in silversmithing!! Your tanks should be fine. They have been stored upright and you have flashback arresters. I don't see any problem. Just take it slow and easy and enjoy getting back into the fun. Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
I have a Dremel handheld torch. I am having difficulty melting my solder. I don’t know if it’s because I’m using inappropriate flux. The flux I have is flux for stained glass. I do not have a charcoal block, but I have fire bricks. I have hard sheet solder. I’ve watched the videos which say clean the surface of the item you were soldering, as well as make sure as your solder is clean other than that I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.
Hello Catherine, I'm not sure if you got my response to your comments 3 days ago. Stained glass flux is not the flux to use. It is a low temperature flux. You must use a borax flux. I use Handy Flux which is a prepared flux and is perfect for your use. If you would send me an email , greggreenwoodjewelry@gmail.com , I can go into your problem in more depth. Thanks for your comments. Greg Greenwood
Hello Mofosheee, All metals will distort when working on them and when heated. Work in small steps and learn what the metal will do. This way you know what the metal will do and you can plan for the distortions. The best of luck to you. Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Wow! I am so happy to find this video. It has a lot of great information for torch types. I am taking a Jewelry Repair and Design class and I don't feel too comfortable using the bulky mapp gas torch they included in my kit for making a chain ID bracelet. I of course, have to form the chain links and solder them and I was wanting to use a small butane torch. This video cleared up the confusions for me. Now I know I can use the small torch. Thanks for posting this video.
Hello Althea, I am glad you found me too. Good luck on your bracelet. Let me know how it goes and if you have any questions in the future. Greg Greenwood
Honestly, you are an exceptional teacher you really place the proper information at the proper location if you have a course and I was local, I would probably take it but I live on an island where we don’t have any of those things so I have to rely on videos from you. Thank you.
Hello Catherine, Thank you for your kind comments. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Thanks for the detailed explanation
Hello Ana, You're welcome. Greg Greenwood
Great video Greg as it covers it all with regard to torches. Thanks for this and keep em coming!!
Hello B, Thank you very much. I'll keep them coming and you can keep watching! Greg Greenwood
Another excellent video
Hello Nick, Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Thank you for the great content greg
Hello Max, You are very welcome. Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
Thank you! Great information
Hello Scott, You are very welcome. Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
Terrific info, thanks!
Glad it was helpful! Greg Greenwood
Thank you, sir!
Hello 999, You are Very welcome! Greg Greenwood
There's just one thing to add for the small butane torches: Some of the cheaper ones have bad insulation and you can burn your fingers rather easily on those, so one should not go for a cheap torch here. Some of the more expensive ones (eg the new Durston butane torch or the Proxxon MicroFlame torch) can be controlled single-handedly in either your right or your left hand - I absolutely love that feature because the second hand is always free to do other tasks.
On the con side against the butane torches may be also that you need to let them cool down before you can refill the tank - I have therefore 2 identical torches of the model I use as my main workhorse for smaller projects so I don't need to wait when one goes low on fuel.
Hello Torsten, Nice to hear from you. I knew you would have some helpful hints! Also, one should let the gas settle after the torch is filled. Thank you very much for your great comments and thanks again for watching. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Merci merci merci Greg.
Hello Sadaf, You are very welcome. Greg Greenwood
Also, I have a vent system set up in the ceiling that be like a strong vent that you would have for a bathroom vent and one on the counter that sucks away fumes as well. I generally put them both on when I try to solder notice I use the word try
Hello Catherine, Good work on the ventilation system. Greg Greenwood
Hi Greg great video.
Man, I wish that I had done more initial research when I started off. I got through several cheap ‘plumbers’ torches and ‘kitchen’ torches before realising they didn’t suit what I wanted to make.
In the UK it’s very problematic and very expensive to get acetylene gas. With hind sight I wish that I had gone straight for a mixed gas torch, it would have been much cheaper and more satisfying.
I now have a good collection of torches but only use two, a Sievert jewellers torch with a needle jet and a pepper pot jet, this is a good single gas (propane) torch and I could manage with just this for most work but my favourite torch is a Flametech Lite, (sold in the UK as a Refrigerant Engineers brazing kit) this is a bit on the large size and is just like the standard oxy-acetylene torch that you’ll see in most engineering workshops. It runs on Map gas and bottled oxygen and, with a range of nozzles will do fine work or melt steel bars. If I buy another torch, it’ll be a propane and air (or oxygen) device, like your old favourite that runs on gas and compressed air, I should think that it’s very satisfying to know that you are in control of the consumables that the torch uses, no running out of bottled gases!! All the very best my friend.
Kind regards . . . Andy
Hello Andy, Very nice to hear from you and for you to share your experiences. Thank you for giving more info about the availability in the UK. It is hard to cover all information from around the world in a short video. Take care and talk to you soon. Greg Greenwood
Poking the algo. Great again Greg! 🎉
Hello Jonathon, Thank you very much. Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
Thankyou so much for clarifying this, I've needed this information!
Hello Annie, Glad it was helpful! Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
I quit silversmithing about 13 years ago, but I still have my torches, tanks, acetylene gas, and tools. Lately, I have a rekindled interest in silversmithing and I'm unsure if there is any danger of using my stored acetylene and oxygen gas. The tanks have always been stored upright. I have flashback arresters on each hose. I have the Smith Silversmith acetylene and Smith Littel Torch acety/O2. Thank you in advance
Hello Mystic, I am excited that you have rekindled your interest in silversmithing!! Your tanks should be fine. They have been stored upright and you have flashback arresters. I don't see any problem. Just take it slow and easy and enjoy getting back into the fun. Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
I have a Dremel handheld torch. I am having difficulty melting my solder. I don’t know if it’s because I’m using inappropriate flux. The flux I have is flux for stained glass. I do not have a charcoal block, but I have fire bricks. I have hard sheet solder. I’ve watched the videos which say clean the surface of the item you were soldering, as well as make sure as your solder is clean other than that I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.
Hello Catherine, I'm not sure if you got my response to your comments 3 days ago. Stained glass flux is not the flux to use. It is a low temperature flux. You must use a borax flux. I use Handy Flux which is a prepared flux and is perfect for your use. If you would send me an email , greggreenwoodjewelry@gmail.com , I can go into your problem in more depth. Thanks for your comments. Greg Greenwood
Hello Greg..............I'm working with 16 gauge steel. How to minimize distortion of metal?
Thank you
Hello Mofosheee, All metals will distort when working on them and when heated. Work in small steps and learn what the metal will do. This way you know what the metal will do and you can plan for the distortions. The best of luck to you. Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Thank you for much needed information. 🩵🩵🩵
Hello Queenie, Glad it was helpful! Greg Greenwood