I suppose I'm really aiming this at George :) Is the Tiny torch as good as the reviews suggest for silversmithing ?
Depends on what you're doing Gordon. I have two, and still pick up a handheld for pretty much everything. If you're making a lot of pieces needing very precise heat, and especially in gold, the little torch is great. For everyday silver work, especially as a hobby, it may be overkill.
With a casting head, they're great for casting (if that's of interest).
I don't have as much experience or expertise as George, but I have a Smith Little Torch and I love it for silverworking. (I use Argentium 960 which behaves more like gold or fine silver than sterling - fusing rather than soldering.) If you don't already have the propane/oxygen setup for lampworking I'd have thought the additional costs might be prohibitive... But if you have and can link one of these into your system, brilliant.