#Micro torch roburn mt 770p trial#
So, my beginning soldering experience involved a lot of trial and error. They suggested some Handy Flux, which I bought, but I was too embarassed to tell them I had no idea what I was doing and to ask what else I needed and why.
![micro torch roburn mt-770p micro torch roburn mt-770p](https://www.orthotechnology.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/MT-770-600x600.jpg)
I told them I was new to soldering, but I remember feeling like I ought to have known more about what I needed than I did. I knew I needed solder, so I got that at my jewelry supply store. This feels awkward to admit, but when I first started soldering this was the part that was the most confusing to me. There is also a torch called the Jeweler's Jumbo Max Flame Self Igniting Refillable Torch, which is on my wish list for big projects, but for the time being, it hasn't been unbearable not to have one. If you can't find that one, the Ronson micro torch is also a great general-purpose torch for small-ish projects. I can tell you that it also happens to work well for small torch-enameling projects. I also love the color, and the angle of the head makes it easy to get the flame where you need it without worrying about the flame blowing itself out as you work. What has always stood out to me is its well-defined flame tip. I got mine at an Ace Hardware (in Arden Hills, MN). If you can only choose one, and I think that's the situation for most of us at any given time (it's taken me almost ten years to acquire all of mine) the Ronson is the one I'd recommend. While the sequence of unlocking the safety mechanism, lighting the flame, and locking the flame can be tricky the first few times you use any new torch, the Ronson is pretty easy to figure out and remember. Like any other butane micro torch, it has an adjustable flame, a self-lighting ignition, and flame-locking mechanism (so it stays on without you having to hold the trigger the whole time). When I started working on pieces bigger than 3/4" or 1" I found that I need a larger flame from a larger torch, for which I like my Ronson torch. Then I got my Roburn MT-770 and for a long time it did everything I needed: soldering jump rings, fusing jump rings, balling up head pin ends, soldering earring posts, earring-sized sweat-soldering, and small bezels. The torch itself seemed to be a little temperamental to fill and light, though. The pencil torch was my first torch and it worked fine on jump rings. It's true that I have several butane torches where one jeweler's torch could do the job, but all three cost less than one jeweler's torch, they're portable, and they work well. What I do have is a bunch of different sized butane torches.
![micro torch roburn mt-770p micro torch roburn mt-770p](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81aL3J7qgWL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
The duel-fuel Smith soldering torch is the most versatile, with its changeable tips, but for a young mom with limited studio time, I find it's also the most cumbersome (because of the tanks) and potentially-dangerous (because of the tanks), so I don't use it much right now. Over the years I have acquired most of these.
![micro torch roburn mt-770p micro torch roburn mt-770p](https://www.b2benchmark.com/upload/company/2531/s/11218.jpg)
There are small, medium, and large butane torches as well as dual-fuel jeweler's torches that come with a variety of tips. You'll need files and sandpaper, too, but if you've worked with any kind of metal in the past you should already have those on hand. In terms of the essentials, besides the flux and solder we've already talked about, and the pickle we'll talk about later, all you'll need is a butane micro torch ($30-ish) and a firing surface that won't absorb heat from your project. Are you a tool junky? Do you want a reason to feed your addiction? Just kidding - I know you don't need one, but soldering is a great excuse for explaining your torch accumulation! While you can get away with only having a few essentials, there are a lot of tools out there that makes the job of soldering a lot easier.