Cade,
You might want to consider the oxygen acetylene set up. The torches are available through jewelry supply and welding supply, for less than what you would pay through a dental supply.
These torches burn hotter than butane or propane with oxygen.
I use a #3 tip, just my favorite all around size. Flame is very small, allowing for less use of heat sheild. I just did a repair thursday( not originaly made by me, but no charge) and didn't use heat shield. It was a labial bow soldered to adams clasps. Clasps are in acrylic, no burn to the acrylic at all. Takes practice, but very easy and quick. The high heat takes a couple of days to get used to, as well as the small flame. Finding the sweet spot isn't to hard. Just practice. When rs promotions came up to the lab, I did some soldering on a Herbst. They remarked on how small the flame was.
Thing is, it's less expensive than hydrogen torch, a lot less. And will perform excellent.
I think about getting a hydrogen torch just for the joy of having one. Not for improvement in work quality or speed. Kind of like I would like a laser welder as well. Just that hydrogen welder costs 1200, laser around 4000. There is a point where it just becomes a song and dance investment. Oxy Acet works quick and easy, for far less cost.
But it sounds high tech to prospective clients to be able to say "I use a hydrogen torch, and sometimes a laser welder".
Try the oxy acet set up, if you don't like it, some one will buy it from you.
Mike.
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