TORCHES

The most essential tool for soldering is a heat source, generally a torch. Curiously, native American silversmiths did some remarkable work in the late 1800s with little more than charcoal as a heat source! Today, the array of choices is more puzzling. Commonly found in the jewelry studio are torches that use acetylene and air (from the room), acetylene and oxygen or propane and oxygen. The type of torch used will determine whether you will use oxygen or just environmental air. The questions about propane vs. acetylene as a fuel source are many, but some general rules-of-thumb are agreed upon. Propane burns cleaner than acetylene, tends to cost less, and is readily available. This usually means less cost and easier clean-up. Acetylene burns hotter and produces greater volume of heat. If you're doing big work (or working with platinum), you probably want acetylene. For smaller work, like most jewelry, propane is probably fine. The reduced intensity of heat also reduces the chances of burning or melting the delicate parts of your work.

Torches used in jewelry. Photos courtesy of Rio Grande Albuquerque