Non-Chemical Melting torches

[mikeinkaty]

For those of you that use torches for melting your PM's, what kind do you use? Propane/oxygen, Acetylene/oxygen, Mapp/oxygen, Mapp w/o oxygen?

I use Acetylene/oxygen. I have a tall oxy cylinder and a 150 size actylene cylinder. The oxy is cheap to refill but refilling my Acetylene costs about $65.

I also use the welding tip, not the cutting tip. it's a lot lighter and I can vary the flame from very small to very large and hot. I melt with a fairly small flame and use a 3" to 4" long blue cone in the center (less oxygen). I have thought that a more 'spread out' flame might be better for silver melting.

First, I want something that works and secondly is economical to use. Should I change what I now use?

Mike

 

[butcher]

Any of those would work, I prefer Acetylene/oxygen, unless PGM's are involved, I do not use much to melt and the heat it provides, and ability for me to change torch tips, I feel it is economical, to melt the amount of precious metals I deal with. I know Harold used natural gas and oxygen and recommended it use, I live out in the country and do not have it plumbed in or I would sure try and use it.