[Jewelry making - Article 00057] - Re: [Orchid] Small, simple torch for 18k gold wire?

[R . E . Rourke]

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    Bernzomatic makes a small hand held torch that is butane fueled and
    gets up to 2400 degrees..enough to ball up or melt anything
    gold..they are NOT the type that use disposable fuel oxy canisters.
    They are available at ace hardware stores,some wal-marts,kmarts and
    smaller owned family hardwares in addition to Lowe's and home
    depot.Harbor freight makes a knock off but it's not worth the 10
    bucks at all.. They are not the "blazer" brand torches sold for food
    and metal clay work..though i'm certain metal clay people will
    disagree (as most sell the things) that brand is problematic in my
    experience. If you can't find a Bernzomatic in your area I will be
    happy to get one here locally for you and send it on to you..(you
    pay cost and shipping). or will look up the exact item number.The
    torch is black and has a removable base.It's about 7inches high and
    I use it for hit and run soldering, balling wires, and when any other
    torch is either out of fuel or I'm waiting for the gas company to
    deliver full tanks!..anyway That's my recommendation. Alternatively
    if you want a lot more power Bernzomatic offers a torch that is
    about 45 bucks at any hardware or home supply and uses MAPP and oxy
    and has a regulator and check valve and mixer built into the torch
    assembly. tips aren't interchangeable though but it dos a great job
    for melting small amounts of metals, soldering, annealing, etc. -
    however if you are just balling up gold wire I still recommend the
    hand held butane model..its afar cheaper o run and less dangerous
    overall..and will last years with some basic cleaning of the ceramic
    element after use..rer
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