How to Light a Torch

Whether you are soldering, brazing or welding metal the process begins by lighting a torch. Some small butane torches are self igniting, but most propane, MAPP gas, acetylene and oxyacetylene torches are not self igniting and must be manually lit before the torch can be used. This tutorial will explain how to light a torch for your soldering, brazing or welding project.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Torch
• Striker

1. 
    
   Select torch.

   Select the torch you want to use. Different size torches are better suited for different projects.

2. 
    
   Striker with flint.

   Gather your torch and striker.

3. 
    
   Fire safe surface.

   Take all safety precautions. Prepare a fire safe work surface. Tie back long hair and wear fire safe clothing. Check the gas tank to be sure the tank is secure the there are no gas leaks.

4. Turn the knob on the torch to allow the flow of the propane, MAPP gas, acetylene or oxyacetylene gas. You will hear a hissing sound when the gas begins to flow. You want the gas to have an adequate flow but you do not want to have the gas open to the point where you have a full flow.
   
   To turn the gas on (or add to the gas flow), turn the knob to the left. To turn the gas off (or reduce the gas flow), turn the knob to the right.

5. 
    
   Hold the striker.

   Hold the striker at the end of the torch so that the cup of the striker faces the gas flow coming from the torch.

6. 
    
   Ignite the torch.

   Use your thumb to squeeze the striker so that the metal is dragged across the flint. This process will cause a spark and ignite the torch.

Tips & Warnings

• MAPP gas is the acronym for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) mixed with methylacetylene-propadiene. MAPP gas is often used by beginning glass bead makers to melt glass rods into glass beads. You can find MAPP gas at your local hardware store and where glass bead making supplies are sold.
• Propane is often used for gas grills, plumbing and by some artists for sculpture and jewelry making. Propane will burn hotter when mixed with oxygen gas. Both propane and oxygen gas canisters can be purchased at your local hardware store, plumbing supply house and where jewelry making supplies are sold.
• Acetylene or oxyacetylene torches are often used in academia to teach sculpture and jewelry making. Many colleges and universities consider acetylene gas (with or without added oxygen)to be the safest gas for students to use.
• There are many great fire safe work surfaces, for jewelry making we like to use a 17x20 Stove & Counter Mat made by Range Kleen.
• © GeltDesigns 2009 All rights reserved

Resources

• GeltDesigns
• Tutorials by GeltDesigns