Silversmithing Tip: Beginners and Torches

Рет қаралды 1,494

Күн бұрын

This quick silversmithing tip explains why a simple plumber's propane torch is an inexpensive and effective torch to learn the basics of silversmithing. Its only real limitation is the size of the piece you can make. Create tons of jewelry, save up your profits, and then invest in a nicer torch later. I used one of these for 3 years before finally switching to an acetylene-air torch, making quite a bit of money. If you find this helpful or interesting, please give it a like! If you'd like to see more useful videos like this, please subscribe to my channel:). It would be great if you would share this with others who might find it useful.
If you are in the Northern Colorado area, and are looking for a class to take, I have very small in-person classes going with strict covid 19 protocols in place for everyone's protection. Visit the below website to contact me about these classes, or if you just want to check out some of my work for sale!
My website:
www.cvpsilver.com
Thank you,
Chad Parker

Пікірлер: 23

@100oracle Жыл бұрын

Duuuuude thanks for this vid! Ive been using these propane torches and i cant find anybody else using them other than you. It has been working pretty well

@chadssilversmithing Жыл бұрын

I usually have my beginning students start with those. It’s an inexpensive way to get started. The limiting factor is the size of the piece you are working on. Large heavy cuff might be challenging to pull off without a hotter torch. Thanks for the nice comment Josh!

@100oracle Жыл бұрын

Ive been making medium sized all brass bezel settings. Have already noticed the limitation in heat. My flux was getting spent before my solder was flowing so i put up some fire brick around my piece and it seems to be doing better. My wife would kill me if i bought a real torch so im gonna have to make this work. I was hoping to find a better torch head to go on these bottles with a tighter smaller flame but i Dont think they make one.

@100oracle Жыл бұрын

Your video also made me aware that there are good torches that Dont use an O2 tank so thanks for that as well. I previously though a better torch meant a 2 tank set up

@maladylis08 Жыл бұрын

Ah, now I know what kind of torch you use ! I should have just looked for the video before 😅

@chadssilversmithing Жыл бұрын

When I teach beginners I have them use handheld propane torches, but I use a Smith Acetylene/air for most things:)

@mawi1172 Жыл бұрын

Very useful! Thanks!!!

@chadssilversmithing Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome Ma Wi!

@Lisa-yj8dt 2 жыл бұрын

Good information. Thank you for sharing 🙂.

@chadssilversmithing 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

@Makermook 2 жыл бұрын

Nice video! I have a question, if you don't mind: Will that second torch run with propane? I've seen some European smiths using propane + compressed air in a similar-looking torch, and that setup seems to work well across a variety of ranges from gentle soldering up to melting stock in a crucible. However, I'm having a hell of a time finding such a thing here in the States (or maybe I'm not looking in the right places.) I really don't want to start using bottled oxygen if it can be avoided.

@chadssilversmithing 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Mark. Thank you for watching! The torch I have, as far as I know, is designed specifically for Acetylene. I've used both the Smith brand Silversmith Torch, formerly called the Smith Handi-torch if I recall correctly, and old Press-O-Lite torches which I see at garage sales on occasion. Both only have an Acetylene tank and draw atmospheric oxygen through holes in the tip to mix with the gas. People come up with all sorts of clever set-ups, even plumbing into natural gas in their home, although this requires specific equipment. Many people use Propane with Oxygen. I've never tried this, so I'm not sure what the best torch set-up is for that. Perhaps another viewer who has experience will be able to answer that question. Thanks again Mark!

@paulinemegson8519 Жыл бұрын

Outside the US it’s quite common to use an LPG/propane + atmospheric oxygen torch. The brand is “Orca” and it “is” available in the US(or at least it was) but under a different brand name which I’m sorry, I can’t recall right now. It’s kinda considered a start up to intermediate level set up, but I really like mine. I do mostly smaller pieces(pendants, bracelets, earrings, pins and barrettes) and it’s perfectly adequate for those as well as being easy to move around and easy to set up. I know in the US the Smiths torch seems to be the standard, but here in NZ they’re expensive($500-$600 not including a flashback arrest or and regulator)not to mention having to get refills on both tanks, whereas the Orca costs around $250-$300 sometimes less if you’re lucky, and runs easily off a small lpg tank (common here for use in small gas powered bbqs/grills) which are easily refilled.

@katiejo1095 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I think my all thumbs problem is too close too soon.

@chadssilversmithing Жыл бұрын

I have confidence in your ability to master this!

@Shukarr Жыл бұрын

Hey chad, quick question- I have a smith little torch inherited from my Dad. It’s set up with a medium oxygen tank about 1.5 feet tall but is using a disposable propane tank. I read that it’s imperative to have flashback arrestors but they don’t make them for disposable tanks so I’m nervous to use it. I did check for leaks and found none. Do you think it’s safe for me to use it? It was last used November of last year.

@chadssilversmithing Жыл бұрын

Ah sorry. I wouldn’t be the best one to ask. I’ve not worked with that setup before. Maybe you could post your question to a metalsmithing forum? There used to be one called Ganoksin that had a lot of experienced folks on it. You might try there if it still exists:). Sorry I couldn’t help on this one.

@igorbida1562 Жыл бұрын

What do you think of map torches?

@chadssilversmithing Жыл бұрын

Hello Igor. I tried one basic map gas torch years ago and it seemed to oxidize things really badly, but that may have just been that particular one. I’ve heard others swear by them, so I’m not sure if I’m the best one to ask:). Maybe another viewer with more experience with that sort of torch could answer this question in the comments?

@mikeberry8036 2 жыл бұрын

Chad I don’t know if this helps but the yellow bottle burns about 300 degrees hotter. FYI

@chadssilversmithing 2 жыл бұрын

MAP gas?

@chadssilversmithing 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve heard some people swear by it, but I have found that it oxidizes silver more quickly which makes solder not want to flow how you’d like:). My preference is an acetylene/air torch-plenty of heat and easy to control. My favorite is my Smith, but I have a couple of old Prest-O-Lite torches that also work just fine:)

@mikeberry8036 2 жыл бұрын

@@chadssilversmithing yes map gas. It just burns a little hotter. But you’d know how it reacts to that better than I.