I have taken a “squint” at what is sometimes called a water torch for use in my jewelry work. It is a rather simple water electrolysis system that creates a mix of hydrogen and oxygen that is fed to the torch tip in a single hose. The technology has been around since the very early 1800’s so it is not something new.

The torch system can be easily homebuilt and the evidence of this is easily discovered with a few simple Internet searches.

I was looking for a commercial unit and I found one being offered by Rio Grande. This is such a low volume, niche product that I consider the retail pricing understandable but grossly overpriced for the use it would receive in my studio.

That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to have and use one.

There is one detail that needs to be considered which is the extremely high temperature that can be produced with this torch. The flame is tiny but powerful. At one time this was the only fuel torch that could melt platinum. It is still used for that today. Other uses of this high temperature torch require very careful flame control and “playing” of the heat on the part.

There is a cult pseudoscience going on about water electrolysis and the energy created by the change back to water. The electrolysis energy needed to create the two gases is the only energy released when recombined (in a closed system). There is no magic extra energy created pill.

The benefit is the energy can be used in a different way than in a flowing electrical current. It has become available in a very high temperature gas flame. Isn’t science wonderful?

If my rich uncle gets out of the poorhouse before he dies, I may inherit enough funds to purchase my own.