quepasa,

Mom's bf is a silver/goldsmith, and uses an oxy-air torch for silverwork. Works very nicely for him, and is capable of very small flames (as small as a butane torch lighter) to flame sizes more typical of a blowtorch. A MPS gas brazing torch would be almost as good, but less handy with the bottle attached.

Mine Mig a Lincoln Mig Pak 10, not a commercial grade machine, but up to anything I am. Paid for itself in short order, making some custom stuff for work. I play as a blacksmith in my backyard too, having set up a small smithy behind my shed. Mostly do knife making and small wrought iron work. The welder complements this nicely.

Here's some of my work....

J