Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Using a torch for embelishment
Sean Troy
>Hey all, I hear people say to use a butane torch when burning the rim of a natural edge bowl for an embelishment technique. Is there any reason a propane torch is not any good or as good as butane? Thanks, Sean
Re: Using a torch for embelishment
Mark Kauder
>No reason the propane would not work. I think people use the small butane ones because most of them have a smaller torch. Most propane ones are 3-4 time bigger in diameter.
Mark
Re: Using a torch for embelishment
Sean Troy
>Thanks, that makes sense. Now where might one find a Butane torch? Thanks Mark, Sean
Re: Using a torch for embelishment
Dinyar Chavda
>Harbor Freight often has them on sale in a variety of styles.
Re: Using a torch for embelishment
Rob W.
>I have used a standard propane torch to darken the edge of a finished maple bowl with good effect. Going from a very dark rim to gradually lighter inner and outer walls to an unchanged bottom. The propane torch used was the typical "plumbing" style, used for soldering and sweating copper pipe; the flame was applied cautiously to the bowl while it was spinning at about 800 rpm. Some smoke was generated, but nothing major. I like the effect and will try it on other bowls in the future. If you're looking for a butane torch, check out eBay - I got mine for about $ 15 years ago, but haven't thought about using it for turned items - (I think the flame is too small). Good luck! (and nice hollowing setup - BTW!) Cheers, Rob
Burn, baby, burn
Peter Teubel
>Anything that spits fire can work. I use a propane torch for larger areas and a small butane torch for smaller areas. I've even used my Zippo on occasion...
Re: Using a torch for embelishment
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>I bought mine at Grainger for Andi Wolfe to use when she was her. She mentioned that she uses one from Harbor Freight.
Mark
Re: Burn, baby, burn
Sean Troy
>Thank you all for the great info. I'll check HF and others. No reason not to have two different kinds of torchrs. Thanks, Sean
Butane & Propane flame...
Rodney Jenkins
>temperature are close enough to the same for what you're using it for.
Biggest difference is butane stops vaporizing at 32�F. (won't work below freezing unless you warm it first), whereas propane will continue to vaporize to -44�F.
Re: Using a torch for embellishment
GeeSeaWhy
>I use both a regular propane torch and a small butane one from HF (about $10). I got the butane torch because the propane flame is too big for some things. It is difficult to impossible to get an even burn on any kind of detail and the smaller butane flame chars less of the surrounding area.
Graeme