Torch for drawing back Spines / Tangs

klammer

klammer

Joined
Jan 30, 2009
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580
What is a good torch type / gas to use for drawing back tangs or spines. I know an Oxy/Acetylene set up would do the trick and also allow for cutting / welding but wanted to try to avoid the cost / maintenance of the bottles. Is there another set up that would give me a similar ability to provide high heat in a very localized area? But with a lower cost?

Any advice would be appreciated in terms of different set ups and advantages / dis-advantages

Cheers,
Klammer
 
I use 2 handheld propane torches. One on each side of the spine. Learned this from Jason Knight.
 
Oxy acetaline can be had for cheap. I know a lot of people who have come up on bottles for free and regulators and torch bodies for cheap from swap meets and garage sales. If you own the bottles they are relatively inexpensive to exchange. A set up would provide you with all the heat you could ever want and like you said, the ability to cut and weld.
 
I did a knife forging course a while ago and they used a multiplas (plasma cutter/heater). It's meant to be more expensive to buy but very cheap to run. Also handy if there are any pesky vault doors that need cutting open :) I don't know if anyone here uses one and have little experience myself.
 
To draw the spine back, all you need is a plain plumber's torch. You are only trying to go to 500F or so, so something designed to heat to 3000F isn't the best tool.


For the tool junkies, they make a twin flame tip for Smith and other small torches.
 
Just as an aside, you can run oxy/propane if you don't want the cost of acetylene. Can't weld with it, but for heating and cutting it works pretty well.

But for what you're doing, just use a straight propane torch. Whole heck of a lot cheaper.
 
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