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TORCH SAFETY

TORCH SAFETY. SOLDERING JEWELRY. It is amazing to be able to join metal using heat. The process we use in making jewelry is called soldering … it is closest to brazing in the world of welding.

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TORCH SAFETY

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  1. TORCH SAFETY

  2. SOLDERING JEWELRY • It is amazing to be able to join metal using heat. The process we use in making jewelry is called soldering… it is closest to brazing in the world of welding. • Solder joints, when done properly, are invisible. The small amount of ‘solder’ we use, melts to fill the voids between the crystals in the metal structure; it is not something that will fill gaps, and it does not sit on top of the metal like a regular weld joint. Soldering is one of the most useful and important skills that you will learn, but the process and torches used must be respected! • Torches burn compressed gases as fuel.. In our case, we use acetalyn and propane. When you add compressed oxygen to the mix, it makes for a very hot flame, even though the torch tip is quite small! It is very important to understand the safety in using these torches!

  3. GENERAL TORCH SAFETY - be careful, the torch tip will remain HOT long after the flame is shut off. Always keep your flame pointed at your work piece or the firebrick. - follow guidelines for lighting and extinguishing torch flames… remember the ‘POOP’ rule when using the Little Smith Torch. - always wear GOGGLES… protect your eyes! Look at your work and don’t stare into the flame. - always have your HAIR TIED BACK… and this includes any dangly bangs… use a hairband if necessary! - try to remember to wear NATURAL FIBRE CLOTHING/APRON…cotton, wool, etc. Man-made fabrics can catch fire very easily and melt on your skin. Use a flame-resistant apron! - Always stay an arm’s length away from someone using a torch, and never distract them from their work. - be sure to use tongs or tweezers to pick up hot metal, and ‘quench’ it in water to cool it before walking around with it! • After soldering your piece, slowly cool the metal by quenching it in water…. and then CAREFULLY place it into the pickle pot for cleaning. *Do not create a splash, pickle is a mild acid but it can ruin your clothes …and your eyes!!*

  4. TheLittle Smith Torch Our ‘Little Smith’ torch uses propane as a fuel, and compressed oxygen to make that little flame VERY hot. • There are 2 hoses coming from the torch to the tanks. • Propane is always connected to the RED hose, and is controlled by the red valve on the torch. • Oxygen comes in a GREEN tank, and is always connected to the torch by a green hose… the green or blue torch valve. • There are 2 gauges which: 1… measure the volume of gas remaining in the tanks 2… controls the amount of pressure coming out of the tank, measured in pounds per square inch of volume. • the tank pressure forO2(10-15psi) is generally about twice as high as the pressure in the propane tank (5-8psi) **PEASE DO NOT ADUST THE GAUGE PRESSURE! IF THEY ARE OFF, LET ME KNOW SO THAT I CAN MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS.**

  5. TheLittle Smith Torch &theP-O-O-PRule We use the POOP rule to safely light and extinguish the flame: • P- turn on the RED valve a little bit (you will hear a soft hissing sound. - now use the igniter to light the flame and sadjust the valve so that the flame is about as long as your baby finger. • O- now slowly add some oxygen by turning the green (or blue) valve a bit. - adjust theis flame until you see a little blue cone with a lttle bit of a orange tip on it. It should not hiss angerly… Just softly. This is called a NEUTRAL flame….. But, if it is loud and hissy we call it an OXIDIZING flame, and it is too hot! • O- after you are done soldering, turn the oxygen off • FIRST (turn valve counter-clockwise). • P- now turn the propane valve off.

  6. BERNZ-O-MATIC TORCH USE *BLUE canisters are propane. These use air from the room. The flame is large and bushy, but only hot enough for smaller projects. It is a ‘dirty’ flame and so you need to get in and out quickly before your metal oxidizes. *YELLOW canisters are MAPP gas. It is a much hotter flame, and we use it to make enameled and glass beads. SAFETY: * as always, wear goggles and do not stare directly at the flame. * wear protective aprons and natural fiber clothing. * remember that the torch head stays hot long after the torch is out! * tie long hair back. * light with a striker…NEVER a lighter! * solder on firebrick or other designated surface. * use care when quenching and placing items into the pickle… NO SPLASH!

  7. BUTANE TORCHES We have 2 butane torches that you can use at your bench to do small projects like chains and jump rings. They have a medium size flame, are refillable, and burn a hot gas called butane. *Use all the same safety rules as you would with all other torches, but remember to be especially vigilant about the proximity of people around you, and remove any flammable materials from your bench area. These little torches are a great option if you want to get started at home!

  8. THE SOLDERING IRON We have soldering irons for some creative Project work … check out our ‘Belle Amoure’ mags for some great ideas. This type of heat connection uses ‘soft solder’ that is melted onto the project when it is touched to the iron. It is not used for regular jewelry solders where seams are to be invisible, it is generally for decorative work… adding glass, making little frames, etc. If not used carefully, this type of soldering can cause bad skin burns. Use the gloves provided, always use eye protection of course, and protect your clothing. As always, try to keep the flux off your skin, and wash your hands when you are done. Again, be very vigilant of your proximity to others and flammable objects, and be sure to use the flame proof surface provided.

  9. ALL DONE?… BLEED THE HOSES! **WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED SOLDERING FOR THE DAY, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PROPERLY STORE THE TANKS… .... BY CLOSING THE VALVES AND ‘BLEEDING’ THE HOSES: For the Prestolite torch, simply: 1… turn the tank valve off (clockwise/to the right) 2… open the torch valve, and ‘bleed’ the hose… listen for all the gas in the hose to run out, then 3… close the torch valve as extra protection against leaks. For the Little Smith Torch torch, simply: 1… close both the propane and the oxygen tank valves 2… open both torch valves, and bleed the gases out of the hoses. 3… close both torch valves. …..DONE! NEVER FORGET TO CLOSE TANKS AND BLEED HOSES!

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