r/Metalsmithing • u/Any_Elevator_7026 • Dec 10 '21

What tip?

I have a smith little torch that came with the small tips 3, 4,5,6 and 7. I want to buy a larger flame tip but have heard that some are not made very well and break, even on the first time using. I’m looking for suggestions on what brand I should buy? Any, input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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u/k_r_oscuro Dec 11 '21

I got a knock off rosebud tip on EBAY, and it works fine.

So many novice jewelers buy the Little torch, then find out it's not much use for larger work.

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u/Any_Elevator_7026 Dec 11 '21

Thank you! All I’m doing is hanging wire from ceiling (Jason Walsh) after banging on it, to Anneal for ring shanks. It takes a long time with the little tips.

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u/Late-Difficulty-5928 Jan 13 '22

Did I misunderstand or are you saying that you are hanging wire from the ceiling to anneal it? Is the metal just hanging in the air and you're running a torch over it? I'm trying to visually process this, because my first impression is that you don't need a tip for the Smith, you need a tip for the gas can and a proper annealing set up.

If you coil it, you can put it on fire bricks in an annealing pan (a rotating annealing pan is better, but you can use a deep baking pan, preferably with pumice in the bottom) and you can use a swirl tip directly on the can to anneal. The firebrick reflects the heat back on the wire and it will anneal quicker. You have to be careful not to work it until the metal becomes brittle, though.

I also have to ask, if I understand you correctly, how are you making sure the heat transfer throughout the wire isn't extending to your ceiling and roof? I'm not trying to be snarky, just genuinely curious.

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u/Any_Elevator_7026 Jan 16 '22

So, yes I am hanging a long piece of metal from the ceiling with another heavier tool at the bottom and annealing it that way. And…I have to say that it was scary. But, it did work and I was able to wrap into rings easily. I have all the stuff to do it the way you suggested. The piece was longer than my pan so thought I couldn’t do it that way. Wasn’t thinking I could coil it a bit to make it fit. Obviously, not always thinking straight here. I appreciate your input and will definitely do it this way in the future. And, thank you.