Question for Welders, Metal Artists

[teflon6string]

A TIG welder with a foot pedal; this would let you control how hot the arc is. Takes a little practice, but that would be my suggestion.

Thanks.

I totally get TIG and its super-detailed controllable arc. I'll have to get one if I need a finer arc than my very adjustable MIG. Both are excellent - but I want fire.

I want to do my flame brazing (over and over again) without having to spark, re-light and adjust two gasses for every joint I make. (I use flame on other artsy-fartsy stuff, too, like laying on antique-looking bronze "crust", etc., things that buzz boxes just don't do.)

Sadly, trigger-operated single-gas guns like propane and butane won't melt steel or bronze, so they're out. My oxy/acetylene torches are plenty hot, but they take two hands to light and adjust - over and over again all afternoon.

This valve I just ordered (thanks to foxmeadow's helpful lead) will allow me to start and stop an oxy/acetylene torch in an instant with just one hand. Hang the torch on the hook and it turns off both gasses. Lift it up and re-ignite the torch (already adjusted) with the pilot flame. Nice for doing dozens of burns with cutting, trimming and positioning between each one.

I was so concerned with minimizing repetitive fiddling between joints that I never thought to google a "Gas Saver."

Like with any new toy, I'm just buggin' to get my hands on it. Come on Amazon...!

 

[Mrmerlinn]

60 years ago, I worked in a body shop that had a radiator shop in one end. He used the gas saver torch. It was only propane, but it worked on the same principle with a small pilot light burning all the time.